Positive reinforcement between couples is usually good. Many relationships thrive when couples reinforce each other. However positive spouse support can have negative effects as well.
Usually relationships thrive when spouses reinforce one another. A study though has shown that positive reinforcement could also have negative physiological effects. This has been seen in the result of a study made by researchers from Binghamton University.
65 couples participated in the study. In the study the couples had two interactions. The interaction involved discussion of a stress factor that is affecting their marriage. The couples then answered questions before and after the discussion. The questions were made to gage how their spouses reacted during the discussion.
Aside from the questions, the researchers also took saliva samples from the participants to measure cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone that regulates stress in a person. The research has found that cortisol levels were affected in the wives, but the husbands' cortisol levels were not affected.
The wives' cortisol levels went down when husbands have shown positive attitude while giving support. Cortisol level also went down when wives have shown negative behavior. However, cortisol levels went up in wives when they were showing positive attitude while giving support, according to Science Daily.
The results were unexpected, as said by Hayley Fivecoat, who was a former student at Binghamton University. She has put the results on her dissertation. The study has shown that positive support has the unintended result of raising cortisol levels in wives. Negative support has been shown as well to have some positive effects, as Eureka Alert reports.
The study has shown that marriage counselors could work on asking couples how they would be supported. This would be to take advantage of the positive effects their spouses have in responding to the issues they are facing. The study is not yet definitive, and the researchers would further study the research findings as well as look into the data. So far the study shows that positive spouse support can have negative effects. A study has also found genetic influence in social media use.
