Positive Massage for Couples’ Wellbeing and Relationships: The Bridge between Positive Psychology and Massage

Abstract

Although positive psychology interventions are generally aimed at individuals, when considering couples, a dyadic approach may be more effective. In terms of a couples' wellbeing, their relationship is one of the most important factors. As such, interventions targeted for both members' wellbeing via their relationship are likely to be of value. Currently, there exist limited dyadic positive activity interventions available in positive psychology, and notably, tactile intervention is lacking. Massage is the evidence based tactile health modality that has long history as a therapeutic intervention, as well as being one of the most natural human health-oriented behaviours. The current commentary argues for the link between positive psychology and massage, and that "Positive Massage" can be a bridge between the hitherto distinct entities of positive psychology and massage. Furthermore, based on the conceptual theoretical model of the link between Positive Massage and wellbeing, we propose that Positive Massage can be an effective positive intervention impacting on couples' wellbeing and enhancing their relationships.

Positive Massage: An Intervention for Couples’ Wellbeing in a Touch-Deprived Era

“…The instructions included communicating within couples to assure the partner's preference e.g., if the partner is happy to receive a face massage due to wearing make-up. Please see the example of a PM sequence below (Figure 1) and refer to the previous articles [28,29,38] and the PM website (www.positivemassage.org, accessed on 20 May 2021) [43] for more details of the PM programme.…”

“…Massage is one of the most effective forms of quality touch, an intentional tactile behaviour that delivers support and care for both the giver and receiver [ 28 ]. Historically, massage has been used for healing, comforting, and caring since the time of Hippocrates (460–377 B.C.E) and is continued today in many cultures of the world [ 29 ]. Although massage has been scientifically investigated for its effectiveness in physical and psychological healing, and the benefits of massage are recognised in terms of a multidimensional professional intervention, lay people can also provide effective massage.…”

“…The theoretical construct of PM has been addressed previously, and provides evidence that PM can be an effective positive intervention for couples’ personal and relational wellbeing [ 29 ], through the mediation of personal resources (i.e., relational, psychological, physical, and physiological). The model suggests that couples would benefit when personal resources are enhanced by PM so as to surpass the challenges (e.g., stress, time, energy, effort, and commitment).…”

“…The positive results of a subsequent study of PM on stressed couples’ mental wellbeing and perceived stress and coping fortified the notion of PM as a possibly effective activity for selves-care [ 38 ]. Moreover, based on a proposed theoretical link, PM was suggested to be a durable psychosomatic dyadic positive activity intervention in the context of positive psychology [ 29 ]. PM shares much common ground with positive psychology in the positive approach to increasing wellbeing rather than focusing on disease.…”

“…Positive psychology has advanced the scientific understanding of human wellbeing, especially how and what makes people happy, promoting numerous interventions with a general target of the individual [ 41 , 42 ]. Among them, PM possesses a unique position not only as a dyadic approach but also as a bridge between positive psychology and massage [ 29 ].…”