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

• Published date: 01 June 2019
• Date: 01 June 2019
• Author: Elisa Sheng,Melanie S. Fischer,David C. Atkins,Brian R. W. Baucom,Donald H. Baucom,Kurt Hahlweg
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12406

When the “U” is not Inverted: Trajectories of

Expressed Emotional Arousal Predict Relationship

Satisfaction

MELANIE S. FISCHER*

BRIAN R. W. BAUCOM

†

DONALD H. BAUCOM*

ELISA SHENG

‡

DAVID C. ATKINS

‡

KURT HAHLWEG

§

Maladaptive emotional reactivity and dysfunctional communication during couple con-

flict 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 exam-

ined using sequential analyses. Despite the general presumptions about underlying emo-

tional reactivity and escalation in negative emotions as part of relationship distre ss 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 pers is-

tent 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 effectiv e

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 cou-

ples; this should be examined empirically. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Keywords: R elationship Satisfaction; Couples; Relationship Education; Fundamental

Frequency; Emotional Reactivity; Emotional Arousal

Fam Proc 58:463–477, 2019

Maladaptive emotional reactivity and escalation during couple conflict is considered to

be a core facet of relationship dysfunction (Epstein & Baucom, 2002; Gottman, 1993)

and is one of the primary targets for relationship intervention (Wadsworth & Mark man,

*Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.

†

Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

‡

Center for the Study of Health Risk Behaviors, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

§

Technische Universit€

at Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Melanie S. Fischer, Department of Psy-

chology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #3270 Davie Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599. E-mail:

msfi@email.unc.edu

463

Family Process, Vol. 58, No. 2, 2019 ©2018 Family Process Institute

doi: 10.1111/famp.12406