The relationships of couples become healthier and more satisfying once they learn to be able to cope with stress together. According to the latest research in psychology, partners have to match their empathic behaviour and actions to the stressed person's needs in order to provide the most effective form of support.
Stress Recognition and Response
The Systemic Transactional Model or STM has a significant perspective when it comes to interpersonal communication in relationships. According to the STM, the two most important factors when it comes to the stress regulation process for both individuals and couples are the communication of stress as well as the response of the partner. Fulfilling these two factors leads to the well-being of the partners individually as well as the couple's satisfaction in their relationship.
This model indicates that the partner should learn to accurately notice and perceive the stressed partner's signs and signals of stress. The partner's responses to the stress signals are very critical and are important for further development of the couple's intimacy and mutual bonding.
There are various signals of stress. Stress can be shown and expressed verbally and non-verbally, and the expressions of stress can be either emotion-or problem-oriented.
This model indicates that the partner should learn to accurately notice and perceive the stressed partner's signs and signals of stress. The partner's responses to the stress signals are very critical and are important for further development of the couple's intimacy and mutual bonding.
There are various signals of stress. Stress can be shown and expressed verbally and non-verbally, and the expressions of stress can be either emotion-or problem-oriented.
Stress Expressions
Emotion-Oriented Stress Expression. Emotion-oriented stress expression may include telling the partner about their worries and/or negative thoughts and experiences. The partner does not clearly show the need for support seeking. The partner can also have non-verbal actions such as facial expressions, change in voice tones, and heavy sighs.
Problem-Oriented Stress Expression. On the other hand, problem-oriented stress expression involves asking the partner for practical advice or assistance. Compared to being emotion oriented, the problem-oriented stress expression is often expressed verbally.
Soothing Responses
To be able to achieve effective support, the partner should offer supportive dyadic coping reactions that are congruent to their type of stress expression.
Emotion-Oriented Response. This form of dyadic coping focuses on the acts of giving empathy, active listening, understanding, encouragement, and reassurance for the partner. Nonverbal actions such as hugging, holding, or kissing the partner is a type of emotion-oriented dyadic coping.
Problem-Oriented Response. This type of dyadic coping involves offering to help to minimize or extinguish the stressor, helping out in the partner's tasks, or giving practical advice.
The Importance of Communication
So far we have discussed the various types of stress expression and dyadic coping reactions. You may ask, "What is the importance of all these?"
As previously said, the key to a healthier and happier relationship is having an effective communication with your partner. If partners are able to freely open up and disclose their emotions and thoughts, then they are more likely to receive congruent support and understanding from each other. Conflicts and misunderstandings often arise when there is a miscommunication between partners; thus, it is essential for couples to learn how to give adequate support to their partners. More importantly, they should also learn to open up and express their feelings of stress that would easily be perceived by their partners.
As previously said, the key to a healthier and happier relationship is having an effective communication with your partner. If partners are able to freely open up and disclose their emotions and thoughts, then they are more likely to receive congruent support and understanding from each other. Conflicts and misunderstandings often arise when there is a miscommunication between partners; thus, it is essential for couples to learn how to give adequate support to their partners. More importantly, they should also learn to open up and express their feelings of stress that would easily be perceived by their partners.
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