Beyond the rush of breakups Among famous personalities that have recently filled social networks, the truth is that since the beginning of the pandemic it is a fact that many apparently consolidated couples have ended up breaking up. The stress of confinement, along with the existential crisis that arose in many people, they have ended up resenting many social relationships, not only those of a couple. But the truth is that the latter seem to suffer the effects of stress on many levels.
Numerous studies show that people under greater stress tend to behave in a more negative way with their closest relationships, including those romantic couples. In fact, it is not necessary for any scientist to show us that, indeed, stress puts us in a worse mood. It even leads us to give worse answers. However, now a team of scientists from the University of Texas Austin has shown that people under stress also tend to pay more attention to the negative behaviors of their partners.
That is, if the partner lies, shows anger or impatience, or criticizes the other member of the relationship, the one under stress will focus on these. punctual behaviors much more than if it were calm. But that is not all. As reported in the study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, this has been proven in newly married couples who are still in what is colloquially known as the Honeymoon. Will the same thing happen to those who have spent a lifetime together? At the moment it is not known.
The effects of stress on relationships
To carry out this study, the authors recruited 79 newly married heterosexual couples.
Next, they conducted two surveys. The first consisted of informing about possible sources of stress outside the couplelike work. The second had to be filled out every night and consisted of answering some questions about how they had felt and how they had perceived the other member of the relationship.
An isolated day of stress did not affect the second part of the experiments. However, it was seen that, when this was maintained over time, there was a tendency to give much more importance to the other’s negative behavior. It is important to clarify that positive behaviors were not neglected. Simply, more weight was given to the negatives. In other words, if the partner always supported them, was detailed and affectionate, but punctually broke a promise or was irritable, the latter would gain a lot of weight, although the rest would also be perceived.
What is this for?
Logically, if the stress is maintained over time, that exaggeration of isolated negative behaviors It can end up affecting the couple. But will it do any good be aware of it?
It might be expected so. However, with this first study it is not possible to know, so its authors plan to go further and study the evolution of couples once the stressed member realizes how he is exaggerating the behaviors of the other.
Still, what they have so far it’s not a minor matter. It is important to keep in mind that this phase of the Honeymoon tends to be when everything is perceived with more optimism and positive behaviors are magnified much more. What would not happen with those who have been married for many years? We don’t know, but possibly nothing good. This population group will also have to be included in that second study that they are already planning.