Positive support from partners in a relationship has been found to have a significant impact on reducing stress, according to a recent study. The research, which analyzed communication patterns in 191 married couples, revealed that individuals experienced lower cortisol levels when they felt validated and cared for by their partners.

The study sheds light on the crucial role of perceived support in managing stress within relationships. It emphasizes that individuals who perceive their partners as supportive tend to experience lower stress levels. The findings also highlight the importance of communication in fostering effective support behaviors.

The research, conducted by a team of experts at Binghamton University, State University of New York, focused on understanding the link between positive support and stress levels. The study involved analyzing communication dynamics and cortisol levels in married couples.

During the study, the couples engaged in two 10-minute sessions where they discussed personal issues unrelated to their marriage. The researchers closely examined instances of positive and negative social support given and received during these interactions. They also assessed how the participants perceived the support they received and collected saliva samples to measure cortisol levels.

The results revealed that wives who received negative support, such as rejecting help, felt less understood and cared for by their partners, leading to an increase in cortisol levels. On the other hand, couples felt more understood and cared for when their partners exhibited positive support skills, resulting in lower cortisol levels.

Surprisingly, the study also found that the participants’ biological stress levels prior to the interaction accurately predicted their behavior and perception during the interactions. Additionally, the overall perceived partner responsiveness, which reflects feeling understood, valued, and cared for, emerged as another predictor of couples’ behavior and perception.

These findings underscore the significance of positive support in reducing stress and highlight the impact of communication on stress management within relationships. The study sets the stage for further research on effective support behaviors, emphasizing the need for promoting positive communication dynamics in relationships.