Relationship Highs And Lows Are Not Two Sides Of The Same Coin, New Research Finds
Every romantic relationship is bound to wax and wane because, let’s face it, humans are temperamental beings, and sticking two of them in close quarters for an extended amount of time will inevitably result in some conflict.
But oftentimes, these “low” moments are not even due to a massive issue. Instead, partners most frequently quarrel over the little things.
Perhaps your girlfriend just had a rough day and snapped at you under some mental pressure. Or maybe your boyfriend’s inattentiveness is just getting on your nerves.
No matter the reason, though, partners who work together through their differences will also experience periodic upswings of joy and peace. And in these instances, most people feel like all of the issues they have faced and conquered in their relationship have been worth it.
So, the ups and downs of relationships are often viewed as if they are two sides of a coin or the inescapable “yin and yang” of romance if you will.
According to a new study published in the National Library of Medicine’s National Center for Biotechnology Information, though, this could not be further from the truth.
In fact, the study’s researchers believe that the hurtful and upsetting events couples face are entirely separate from the more warm and fuzzy moments.
And interestingly, the study also revealed that more considerate and caring interactions act as a sort of “buffer” between instances of unpleasant communication.
This allows couples to feel more content with their relationship while weakening the link between hurtful communication and overall happiness.
Mediteraneo – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purpose only, not the actual person
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Plus, the reverse is true, too. The researchers found that partners who do not engage in supportive communication often will place more weight on their conflict and ultimately feel less content in their relationship overall.
Finally, some scientists have suggested that couples experience a “plateauing pattern.” In other words, once partners have reached a certain threshold of how often they experience either pleasant or painful interactions, more of the same will not make them feel a different level of content.
But, the researchers’ findings did not support this theory. This means that continuous effort to engage in meaningful and compassionate interactions can increase a person’s relationship satisfaction. And more frequent instances of apathetic interactions can do the opposite, too.
To read the study’s complete findings, visit the link here.
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