Positivity resonance in long-term married couples: Multimodal characteristics and consequences for health and longevity.

Abstract

The Positivity Resonance Theory of coexperienced positive affect describes moments of interpersonal connection characterized by shared positive affect, caring nonverbal synchrony, and biological synchrony. The construct validity of positivity resonance and its longitudinal associations with health have not been tested. The current longitudinal study examined whether positivity resonance in conflict interactions between 154 married couples predicts health trajectories over 13 years and longevity over 30 years. We used couples' continuous ratings of affect during the interactions to capture coexperienced positive affect and continuous physiological responses to capture biological synchrony between spouses. Video recordings were behaviorally coded for coexpressed positive affect, synchronous nonverbal affiliation cues (SNAC), and behavioral indicators of positivity resonance (BIPR). To evaluate construct validity, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis to test a latent factor of positivity resonance encompassing coexperienced positive affect, coexpressed positive affect, physiological linkage of interbeat heart intervals, SNAC, and BIPR. The model showed excellent fit. To evaluate associations with health and longevity, we used dyadic latent growth curve modeling and Cox proportional hazards This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.

Does shared positivity make life more meaningful? Perceived positivity resonance is uniquely associated with perceived meaning in life.

“…Caring nonverbal synchrony involves coordinated movements and gestures that indicate each person’s engagement with and concern for others. This includes mutual direct body orientation and gaze, smiles, nods, and forward leans (Gonzaga et al, 2001; Tickle-Degnen & Rosenthal, 1990; Wells et al, 2022), as well as a nonconscious, cross-personal coordination of body movements in form, tempo, and intensity (Bernieri et al, 1988; Vacharkulksemsuk & Fredrickson, 2012). These nonverbal behaviors convey engagement, support, responsivity (Sharon-David et al, 2019), and ultimately, attentive care and goodwill (Reis et al, 2004).…”

“…Such measures come with pros and cons. “Objective” measures of positivity resonance would include reports from multiple interactants as well as indexes of behavioral and physiological synchrony (Wells et al, 2022). However, it is difficult to collect such data outside of laboratory contexts.…”

Emotion regulation in romantic relationships

“…Romantic relationships are hotbeds of emotions − from the high highs and low lows in the beginning of a new relationship to all the tough and tender moments when navigating life as a couple to the question of how to let go and move on when a relationship ends. How couples regulate emotions has profound consequences, not only for relationship quality and stability, but also for well-being, health, and longevity (e.g., Gottman & Gottman, 2017;Levenson et al, 2014;Wells et al, 2022).…”

“…Interest in couples' co-regulation (or linkage, synchronization, resonance, which all refer to phenomena of emotional coordination; see also Butler, this volume) especially has been on the rise. Fredrickson (2016), for example, presents an account of love as emotional coordination that occurs during moments of shared positive emotions (for an overview see, for example, Wells et al, 2022). This positivity resonance between spouses (especially at the behavioral level) predicts physical health and longevity over more than 30 years over and above individual positive emotions (Wells et al, 2022).…”

“…Fredrickson (2016), for example, presents an account of love as emotional coordination that occurs during moments of shared positive emotions (for an overview see, for example, Wells et al, 2022). This positivity resonance between spouses (especially at the behavioral level) predicts physical health and longevity over more than 30 years over and above individual positive emotions (Wells et al, 2022). In addition, couples do not only co-regulate their own emotions, their emotions also affect (dare we say, regulate) close others outside the dyad.…”