Capitalization and couple identity in intimate relationships

Capitalization is the process of responding to a partner’s disclosure of positive news. The way in which partners react to such positive information is associated with relationship well-being. One mechanism that is postulated to explain this link is a feeling of connection between self and partner, or couple identity. The aim of the present study is to empirically test the role of couple identity in mediating the relationship between the capitalization responses (active-constructive, passive-constructive, active-destructive, and passive-destructive) and relational well-being. One hundred seventy-five stable couples (Mean relationship duration = 18 years) completed two self-report questionnaires (six-months interval) containing scales designed to measure perceptions of partner’s capitalization responses, inclusion of the other in the self, and quality of marriage. Data were first examined through simple mediational analysis. Preliminary results showed that couple identity mediated the relationship between active-constructive and passive-destructive responses and relationship well-being for both women and men. Data will be further explored through longitudinal dyadic analyses.