Cognitive emotion regulation and positive dyadic outcomes in married couples

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to investigate the association between spouses’ individual cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies, dyadic coping behaviors, and relationship satisfaction. Using a sample of 295 couples (590 individuals), we found that adaptive CER strategies (putting into perspective, positive refocusing, positive reappraisal, and planning refocusing) were related to positive dyadic coping (supportive, common, and delegated coping in couples), which in turn increased both partners’ relationship satisfaction. Analyses using actor–partner interdependence modeling indicated that dyadic coping mediated the association between spouses’ CER and their own relationship satisfaction. These findings support the importance of addressing both cognitive coping strategies and dyadic coping in prevention and intervention in couples.