Positive behaviors during marital conflict: Influences on stress hormones

Abstract

To examine the independent and interactive contribution of positive and negative behaviors during marital conflict to changes in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol, behavioral and endocrine data were collected from 90 newlywed couples during a 30-minute conflict task. Positive and negative behaviors were coded by the Marital Interaction Coding System. High levels of husbands' positive behavior and high couple negativity were related to steeper ACTH and cortisol declines in wives. Low levels of wives' positive behavior and high couple negativity were related to flatter declines in wives' cortisol. Supportiveness during highly negative interactions contributed to steeper ACTH and cortisol declines in wives, suggesting that constructively engaging in discussions promotes adaptive physiological responses to interpersonal conflict.

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