Researchers surveyed over 400 couples with children who received government services such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and food assistance. The survey asked each partner about their level of mindfulness and how confident they felt the relationship would stay strong during hard times.
Couples with higher mindfulness said they had more confidence that the relationship would survive stress. These couples also described better relationship quality and stronger co-parenting. The study found a difference by gender: when women reported more mindfulness, their male partners tended to feel more confident. The research is part of the Elevate Couples Georgia project and suggests mindfulness training may help couples cope with stress.
Difficult words
- stressors — Things that cause stress and pressure.
- relationship — A connection between two people.
- mindfulness — Being aware of the present moment.
- conflicts — Disagreements or arguments between people.
- partnerships — A relationship between two or more people working together.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think mindfulness is important in relationships?
- How can couples manage conflicts effectively?
- What other ways can partners improve their relationships?
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