Symposia
Couples / Close Relationships
Melissa V. Gates, M.S. (she/her/hers)
Doctoral Student
Binghamton University
SUNY Binghamton
Vestal, New York
Melissa V. Gates, M.S. (she/her/hers)
Doctoral Student
Binghamton University
SUNY Binghamton
Vestal, New York
Eileen Barden, MS
Graduate Student
Binghamton University (SUNY)
Vestal, New York
Christina Balderrama-Durbin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Binghamton University
Binghamton, NY
Stress is a common experience with approximately 75% of Americans reporting stress symptoms within the past month (American Psychological Association, 2015). Acute stress symptoms frequently demonstrate a rapid onset and dissipate quickly as well. Physiological indicators under sympathetic nervous system (SNS) control, such as pre-ejection period (PEP), are effective and objective measures of acute stress reactivity (Balzarotti et al., 2017). Additionally, acute stress reactivity may be mitigated by the presence of protective factors, such as the presence of one’s romantic partner (Saxbe et al., 2020; Coan & Sbarra, 2015). The current study aims to examine individual physiological reactivity, as indicated by PEP, following a laboratory stress induction paradigm (i.e., stressful film trauma-analog) in the context of romantic partner dyads.
Thirty-three community couples (N = 66 individuals) were recruited to participate in a study exploring stress and relationships. Within each couple, one partner was randomized to view a stressful film (i.e., stressed partner; SP), while the other partner (i.e., non-stressed partner; NSP) waited in an adjacent room. Participants first completed background questionnaires separately and then provided physiological data (i.e., PEP) across the entire study paradigm. The study paradigm included a series of baseline tasks conducted with both partners together (14 minutes), followed by the stress induction task conducted separately for the randomly selected partner (13 minutes), and finally, partners were reunited for a 10-minute post-film interaction.
Multi-level growth curve modeling revealed a decrease in PEP length (i.e., increase in SNS activation) followed by a gradual increase in PEP (i.e., recovery) across the entire study paradigm. Contrary to our expectations, this overall trajectory was not moderated by stress condition. These findings provide preliminary evidence for laboratory induced stress transmission whereby both partners demonstrate an acute stress response even when only one partner was exposed to an acute stressor. Couple dynamics, by means of actor and partner effects, will also be evaluated within each of the study periods (i.e., baseline, stress induction, and recovery). Present findings extend our current understanding of physiological elements within couple dynamics following an acute stressor which may inform couple-based interventions targeting stress within romantic relationships.