Positive events and capitalization attempts in couple relationship: The contribution of diary methods

Introduction. Capitalization in couples is the process through which people share positive events with the partner (i.e., capitalization attempts), which in turn responds in an “active” way in order to maximize the benefits deriving from the event. Goals and Method. This study analyzed the associations between the type of positive events (internal vs. external to the couple) and partners’ individual and relational well-being as well as the moderating role of the type of communication of the event (implicit vs. explicit) in this association. Fourty-nine married couples (Mean relationship duration = 18 years) completed 2 times a day for 2 weeks a daily diary in electronic format (PDA) containing items designed to detect the type of the positive event experienced, the type of communication, and individual and relational well-being. Results. Multilevel analyses revealed that internal and external positive events had a specific positive effect on individual and relational well-being both for men and women. With regard to the type of communication, for men only, the explicit communication of internal positive events had a positive effect on individual well-being, while for women only the explicit communication of internal positive events had a positive effect on relational well-being. Conclusions. Internal and external positive events and the explicit communication of them are associated with changes in individual and relational well-being.