Emotion Regulation During Relationship Conflict. Shiri Ben-Naim Gilad Hirschberger Tsachi Ein-Dor Mario Mikulincer

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1 Emotion Regulation During Relationship Conflict Shiri Ben-Naim Gilad Hirschberger Tsachi Ein-Dor Mario Mikulincer

2 Emotion Regulation Our ability to influence which emotions we will experience, and when and how they will be experienced or expressed (Gross, 1998) Emotion regulation can influence different components of the emotion system Subjective experience Behavior Physiological activity (Gross, 1999)

3 Emotion Regulation Input Emotional reaction Output Cognitive Reappraisal Emotion Suppression (Gross, 1998)

4 Emotion Regulation During Social Interaction (Butler et al., 2003) Actor effects Suppression Expression: Less negative and less positive affect Experience: More negative, less positive affect Physiology: Elevated blood pressure Reappraisal Expression: Less negative and less positive affect Experience: No effects Physiology: No effects

5 Emotion Regulation During Social Interaction (Butler et al., 2003) Partner effects Suppression Reappraisal Expression: No effects Experience: No effects Physiology: Increase in BP Expression: No effects Experience: No effects Physiology: No effects Second Hand Smoke Effect

6 Emotion Regulation in Close Relationships Non-verbal emotional information is a powerful indicator and predictor of marital quality and stability Revealing internal states and emotions enables the development of intimacy (Collins & Miller, 1994) Conflict interaction predicts divorce over a 14-year period (Gottman & Levenson, 2000)

7 The Current Research Participants: 127 young couples, 56% married, 44% living together Conflict interaction Suppression manipulation Control Reappraisal manipulation

Cognitive reappraisal manipulation This study is designed to understand the link between the kind of mindset a person adopts before entering into a conversation and the kind of conversation they then

8 Cognitive reappraisal manipulation This study is designed to understand the link between the kind of mindset a person adopts before entering into a conversation and the kind of conversation they then have. We would like you to keep in mind that all couples have conflicts and that discussing them can make it hard to remember the positive aspects of one s partner or relationships. We would like for you to prepare for the conversation by calling to mind some of the positive aspects of your relationship and partner, as well as some of the good times you have had together. (Richards, Butler & Gross, 2003 )

9 Emotion suppression manipulation This study is designed to understand the link between the emotional expressions a person makes and the kind of conversation they have. We d like you to inhibit the expression of emotion through your face and tone of voice so that your partner would not know you are experiencing any emotions at all. We would like you to prepare for the conversation by calling to mind the major issues related to the conflict topic you will be discussing. (Richards, Butler & Gross, 2003 )

10 Results: Reappraisal Actor Effects Expression: no effects Partner Effects no effects Experience: More positive and less negative affect Physiology: No effects No effects Lower cardiovascular arousal

11 Results: Suppression Actor Effects Partner Effects Expression: more negative affect Experience: less positive affect Physiology: No effects More negative affect No effects Higher cardiovascular arousal

12 Cardiovascular arousal Cardiovascular Arousal Differences between groups in partners' cardiovascular arousal Suppression Reappraisal Control

13 The Role of Relationship Quality Actor Positive Emotion Experience + + High Marital Satisfaction Partner Positive Emotion Experience Reappraisal Manipulation Low Marital Satisfaction

14 The Role of Relationship Quality Actor Expressed Sadness + + Low Marital Satisfaction Partner Expressed Belligerence Suppression Manipulation High Marital Satisfaction

15 Conclusions Cognitive reappraisal led actors to a more positive subjective experience, and led partners to lower arousal. Emotion suppression led actors to worse subjective experience and behavior, and led partners to higher arousal and negative expressions. Marital satisfaction moderated the effects of the manipulations on actor and partner

16 Thank you Shiri Ben-Naim Gilad Hirschberger Tsachi Ein-Dor Mario Mikulincer

EMOTION REGULATION AND PERCEPTIONS OF HOSTILE AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IN ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS

Committee: EMOTION REGULATION AND PERCEPTIONS OF HOSTILE AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IN ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS by Sarah Rose Klein A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of George Mason University