Comparing the effects of a mindfulness versus relaxation intervention on romantic relationship wellbeing

Abstract

There is increasing scientific interest in the potential association between mindfulness and romantic relationship wellbeing. To date, however, experimental studies using active control groups and testing dyadic effects (i.e. examining both actor and partner effects) are lacking. In the current study, romantically involved individuals engaged for 2 weeks daily in either guided mindfulness exercises, or guided relaxation exercises. Participants, and their partners, completed measures of relationship wellbeing at pre- and post-intervention, and at 1-month follow up. The mindfulness intervention significantly promoted relationship wellbeing, for both participants (i.e. actor effects) and their partners (i.e. partner effects). However, these findings did not significantly differ from changes in relationship wellbeing in the relaxation condition. Theoretical implications of these findings for understanding the association between mindfulness and romantic relationship wellbeing are discussed. Moreover, the findings are discussed in light of recent debates about the relative lack of proper control groups in mindfulness research.

Mindfulness, perceived partner responsiveness, and relationship quality: A dyadic longitudinal mediation model

“…Specifically, couples may benefit most from relational forms of mindfulness exercises, such as mindful awareness during shared activities and partner-focused loving-kindness meditation, rather than non-relational exercises such as sitting meditation and individual yoga. Research on couples-based mindfulness interventions is still in its infancy (Carson et al, 2004; Karremans et al, 2020), but our findings demonstrate the potential importance of targeted interventions. Further research should examine the differential effects of relational versus non-relational mindfulness exercises on relationship well-being.…”

“…Relationship mindfulness, by definition, is tied specifically to a given partner and romantic relationship context and may therefore be more strongly linked to PPR than general mindfulness (Kimmes et al, 2018(Kimmes et al, , 2020. Considering that in a recent study a general mindfulness intervention did not differ from a relaxation condition in improving relationship well-being (Karremans et al, 2020), understanding if a domain-specific type of mindfulness is more directly relevant to enhancing relationship quality over time may have implications for future intervention designs.…”

Attachment insecurity moderates emotion responses to mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation in adults raised in low socioeconomic status households.

“…Plus, although we randomized participants to conditions, we did not have a no-intervention control group, which limits our ability to draw causal conclusions. For instance, one recent study (Karremans et al, 2020) demonstrated that mindfulness training did not improve relationship well-being above and beyond an active control (relaxation training). Although the current research is concerned with different outcomes, we note here that future research is needed to replicate our findings with an active control that does not involve meditation of any sort.…”

Relational mindfulness themes in descriptions of intimate encounters across six interpersonal contexts

“…Kappen et al (2018) conceptualize acceptance as "the ability and willingness to accept the partner's imperfections without feeling the urge to change the partner" (p. 1544), and have found acceptance to be a significant mechanism underlying the mindfulness-relationship satisfaction connection, especially for participants scoring low in trait mindfulness (Kappen et al, 2019). Likewise, Karremans et al (2020a), in a study involving romantic couples, confirmed the mindfulness-relationship satisfaction association and noted increases in relational quality and partner acceptance.…”