"They help each other cope with difficulties, survive, and thrive together. That shared assistance contributes to their relationship satisfaction too. Even so, the supportive exchange between romantic partners is not a business transaction. Instead, like most processes of romantic attraction, it is both practical and emotional. Thus, we don't just mechanically reciprocate with a romantic partner; we feel and express gratitude for their efforts too. In turn, they feel grateful and express their gratitude back to us, creating a virtuous cycle of support and satisfaction."
"Gratitude, Support, and Satisfaction Roth and associates (2024) surveyed 163 mixed- gender Swiss couples, exploring how each partner's feelings and expressions of gratitude influenced their helping behaviors and relationship satisfaction. Specifically, they asked participants to report how much they helped their partner cope with stress and difficulties, along with how much gratitude their partner felt and expressed for those helping efforts. Finally, they evaluated how satisfied each partner was with their relationship overall."
A 2024 survey of 163 mixed-gender Swiss couples measured each partner's helping behaviors, the gratitude felt and expressed for those helping acts, and overall relationship satisfaction. Partners often assist each other to cope with difficulties, survive, and thrive, and that shared assistance links to greater relationship satisfaction. Supportive exchanges are both practical and emotional, involving felt and expressed gratitude that fuels reciprocal gratitude and a virtuous cycle of support. Interactions among helping, gratitude, and satisfaction are complex, with gender differences: men may under-attend to partner gratitude while women may over-attend, and addressing these differences can improve support and satisfaction.
Read at Psychology Today
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