Remaining satisfied with a relationship requires efforts. Sometimes mindset is important: satisfied couples discount undesirable experiences when forming global evaluations of the relationship.
In a recent study, researchers find that longer sleep during the night may help couples build a mindset that increases satisfaction in a relationship. The finding is published in Journal of Family Psychology.
Researchers from Florida State University conducted the study. They used a daily diary study of 68 newlywed couples to examine the implications of sleep for daily marital evaluations.
Every day for up to 7 days, both members of the couples reported their evaluations of their interpersonal specific experiences, global relationship satisfaction, and amount of sleep.
The result showed that spouses were more satisfied on days after which they had slept for a longer period of time.
Furthermore, sleep also buffered husbands’, but not wives’, marital satisfaction against the implications of negative specific evaluations.
Husbands were better able to remain more satisfied despite negative evaluations of specific aspects of the relationship on days following more sleep.
Researchers suggest that sleep may offer self-regulatory benefits. It should be incorporated into existing interpersonal interventions that highlight the importance of self-regulation.
Follow Knowridge Science Report on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Citation: Maranges HM, McNulty JK. (2016). The Rested Relationship: Sleep Benefits Marital Evaluations. Journal of Family Psychology, published online. DOI: 10.1037/fam0000225.
Figure legend: This Knowridge.com image is for illustrative purposes only.
