When the “U” is not Inverted: Trajectories of Expressed Emotional Arousal Predict Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

Maladaptive emotional reactivity and dysfunctional communication during couple conflict are both destructive to couple functioning, and observational research has elucidated how conflict escalates. However, much of the evidence is based on measures that combine content (i.e., what was said) and the emotion with which it was said, which are then examined using sequential analyses. Despite the general presumptions about underlying emotional reactivity and escalation in negative emotions as part of relationship distress and deterioration, little empirical data are available that directly examine these continuous shifts in emotions. The current study examined concurrent and longitudinal associations between relationship satisfaction and trajectories of change in vocally expressed emotional arousal during couple conflict in 62 couples who participated in a relationship education program. Contrary to expectations and patterns found in distressed couples, trajectories followed a U‐shape rather than an inverted U‐shape curve, with steeper and more persistent decreases in emotional arousal predicting more stable relationship satisfaction over time. In addition, there were within‐couple effects. These results suggest that early signs for relationship deterioration may be less in the form of overt escalation as would be seen in distressed couples. Instead, couples who subsequently deteriorate more are less effective in calming emotional arousal. They also are less able to remain at lower emotional arousal. It is possible that the more pronounced escalation toward the end of the conversation in more at‐risk couples is a precursor of the greater escalation patterns seen in distressed couples; this should be examined empirically. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Escalation and Regulation of Emotional Arousal in Couples Predicts Relationship Satisfaction Concurrently and 25 Years Later

“…Thus, in the context of women expressing negative emotions, men may experience greater regulation as a positive experience and feel more satisfied in the relationship. Moreover, Fischer et al (2019) found that husbands were more satisfied if the couples’ overall emotional arousal decreased more sharply across the conversation, suggesting that husbands might be happier if the overall emotional tone of the conversation becomes progressively calmer. Thus, while the current findings should be considered preliminary, these findings are consistent with prior work suggesting that partners may experience the expression of more intense emotions from the other partner within a conversation as problematic, especially considering men’s response to emotions that come from women.…”

“…Moreover, the findings suggest that lessened escalation in emotional arousal occurred with concomitant improvements in relationship quality over the course of treatment (Christensen et al, 2004). Additionally, in a sample of nondistressed couples planning to marry, Fischer et al (2019) found that a steeper decline in vocal emotional arousal early in the conversation predicted greater relationship satisfaction over 3.5 years. These studies demonstrate that the overall trajectory (e.g., escalation) of vocal emotion across the conversation provides useful information about relationship quality over time.…”

“…For instance, research has suggested that (in different‐sex relationships) men and women’s relationship satisfaction may be differentially related to emotional expression within conversations. Fischer et al (2019) found that within newlywed couples, men who were more satisfied than their female partner demonstrated more rapid emotional de‐escalation during their conversations than their female partner. Women showed the opposite pattern such that women with higher satisfaction compared to their male partner demonstrated less rapid de‐escalation of emotion than their male partner.…”

“…f 0 has validity as an indicator of emotional arousal based on research on emotion and distress vocalizations among humans and other mammals (see Juslin & Scherer, 2005, for an extensive review) and has been examined in various couples’ contexts (e.g., B.R. Baucom et al, 2015; Fischer et al, 2019; Weusthoff, Baucom, & Hahlweg, 2013). Research also suggests that f 0 may be an indicator that people use to make judgments about other’s emotional experiences (Eckland, Leyro, Mendes, & Thompson, 2019), even across species (Filippi et al, 2017).…”

“…Research also suggests that f 0 may be an indicator that people use to make judgments about other’s emotional experiences (Eckland, Leyro, Mendes, & Thompson, 2019), even across species (Filippi et al, 2017). f 0 has been associated with other indicators of communication and other physiological variables (e.g., Weusthoff et al, 2013), relationship satisfaction (Fischer et al, 2019), and response to couple therapy (B.R. Baucom et al, 2015).…”