Event Title
Correlation Between Supportive Body Language during the TSST and relationship satisfaction in Romantic Couples
Collaborator(s)
Yoojin Lee, Jeremy Peres and Jenny Phan
Faculty Sponsor
Elizabeth Shirtcliff
College(s)
College of Sciences
Submission Type
Poster
Description
Conventional wisdom suggests the key to a good relationship is a strong level of inter-partner support through emotions, feelings and gestures. This support is often exhibited through behavior that underlies the emotional connection between partners including body language. It is not fully known how supportive body language correlates to overall supportiveness in the relationship. It is the intention of this study to examine body language and relationship satisfaction. Our hypothesis is that observed presence of supportive behaviors during the acute stressor (Trier Social Stress Test, TSST) correlates positively with the satisfaction and supportiveness of the relationship. Twelve long-term romantic couples participated in the study. Data was collected through self-reported relationship satisfaction using the Triangular Love Scale (TLS) and observational coding of video files of supporters watching their partner undergo a public speaking stress task. Body language was coded from the video files by two independent raters across four scales (Agitation, Amusement, Discomfort, and Distraction). A one-way ANOVA examined self-reported satisfaction as the independent variable and observed partner behaviors as dependent variables. A statistical trend was found for observed discomfort in the partner [t(9)=-2.149, p=.060]. Specifically, supporters who had the highest commitment scores on the TLS showed the most discomfort while watching their partners experience an acute stressor. Results are notable given that the partner was in the other room watching stressor performance and not directly observed or seen by the participant. Results suggest that there could be a link between body language and relationship quality that persists throughout the relationship.
Correlation Between Supportive Body Language during the TSST and relationship satisfaction in Romantic Couples
Conventional wisdom suggests the key to a good relationship is a strong level of inter-partner support through emotions, feelings and gestures. This support is often exhibited through behavior that underlies the emotional connection between partners including body language. It is not fully known how supportive body language correlates to overall supportiveness in the relationship. It is the intention of this study to examine body language and relationship satisfaction. Our hypothesis is that observed presence of supportive behaviors during the acute stressor (Trier Social Stress Test, TSST) correlates positively with the satisfaction and supportiveness of the relationship. Twelve long-term romantic couples participated in the study. Data was collected through self-reported relationship satisfaction using the Triangular Love Scale (TLS) and observational coding of video files of supporters watching their partner undergo a public speaking stress task. Body language was coded from the video files by two independent raters across four scales (Agitation, Amusement, Discomfort, and Distraction). A one-way ANOVA examined self-reported satisfaction as the independent variable and observed partner behaviors as dependent variables. A statistical trend was found for observed discomfort in the partner [t(9)=-2.149, p=.060]. Specifically, supporters who had the highest commitment scores on the TLS showed the most discomfort while watching their partners experience an acute stressor. Results are notable given that the partner was in the other room watching stressor performance and not directly observed or seen by the participant. Results suggest that there could be a link between body language and relationship quality that persists throughout the relationship.
Comments
6th place