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Daily interpersonal coping strategies: Implications for self-reported well-being and cortisol
Kira S Birditt1, Michael R Nevitt1, David M Almeida2
1University of Michigan.
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
|July 28, 2015
Summary
Engaging in arguments immediately impacts well-being, while avoiding conflict affects health and cortisol levels the next day. Relationship conflict resolution strategies have distinct short- and long-term health consequences.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Interpersonal relationships significantly influence individual health outcomes.
- Coping mechanisms for relationship stress, such as argument avoidance and engagement, are critical areas of study.
- Understanding the differential effects of these coping strategies on well-being and physiological stress markers is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct associations of same-day and prior-day argument avoidance and engagement with self-reported well-being.
- To examine the differential effects of these interpersonal tension coping strategies on diurnal cortisol patterns.
- To differentiate the immediate versus delayed health consequences of relationship conflict management.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from Wave 2 of the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE), involving 1512 participants (ages 33-84).
- Employed daily phone interviews over eight consecutive days to capture interpersonal events and well-being.
- Collected saliva samples on four days for diurnal cortisol level assays at multiple time points (waking, 30 min post-waking, pre-lunch, bedtime).
Main Results:
- Same-day argument engagement was linked to reduced well-being (increased negative affect, decreased positive affect) compared to avoidance or no tension.
- Prior-day avoidance of arguments was associated with lower next-day well-being (increased negative affect, more physical symptoms) and elevated next-day cortisol.
- Argument engagement shows immediate effects on well-being, whereas argument avoidance demonstrates delayed consequences on well-being and cortisol.
Conclusions:
- The method of coping with interpersonal tension has differential impacts on immediate and subsequent well-being and physiological stress.
- Argument engagement has more immediate negative effects on emotional well-being.
- Avoidance of arguments may lead to delayed negative health outcomes, including increased stress hormone levels and poorer well-being the following day.
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