Effects of a brief web-based interpersonal conflict cognitive reappraisal expressive-writing intervention on changes in romantic conflict during COVID-19 quarantine.

Rodriguez, Lindsey M.; Stewart, Sherry H.; Neighbors, Clayton

doi:10.1037/cfp0000173

Cited by 21Attachment and Relationship DynamicsMental Health via WritingForgiveness and Related Behaviors

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Effects of a brief web-based interpersonal conflict cognitive reappraisal expressive-writing intervention on changes in romantic conflict during COVID-19 quarantine.

Rodriguez, Lindsey M., Stewart, Sherry H., Neighbors, Clayton·2021·Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice

DOI 10.1037/cfp0000173

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Abstract

Romantic conflict is known to have escalated during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. This research investigates whether a single-session online writing intervention results in changes in romantic conflict among American adults cohabitating during COVID-19 quarantine (May 2020). Participants (N = 716, 50% female;mean age = 51.8 years) completed a baseline assessment which was followed by a brief (5–8 min) writing task in Qualtrics. Participants were randomized to one of five conditions, where they were asked to write about (a) a conflict with their romantic partner using cognitive reappraisal;(b) a conflict with their romantic partner expressing their deepest thoughts and feelings;(c) a conflict with someone other than their partner using cognitive reappraisal;(d) a conflict with someone other than their partner and a conflict with their partner expressing their deepest thoughts and feelings;or (e) mundane tasks like laundry, house cleaning, or lawn care. In the reappraisal conditions, participants were asked to use this perspective with the target person in the upcoming weeks. Two weeks later, participants were invited to complete a follow-up survey identical to baseline, where they were asked about conflict with their partner during the follow-up period. Results indicated that participants in the romantic partner cognitive reappraisal condition reported fewer disagreements, fewer relationship aggression events, and lower levels of conflict relentlessness with th…

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Cognitive reappraisal improved relationship functioning in American adults quarantining with a romantic partner.
“improved relationship functioning in American adults quarantining with their romantic partner (Rodriguez et al., 2021)”
From RESILIENCE, COPING, AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ACROSS THE GLOBE – AN UPDATE: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? (2023) · cites this paper as Rodriguez et al., 2021

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Authors: Rodriguez, L. M., Stewart, S. H., & Neighbors, C.
ORCID: Rodriguez, Lindsey M.
Stewart, Sherry H.
Neighbors, Clayton
Venue: Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2021-09
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
Pages: 212-222
ISSN: 2160-4096 (ISSN-L)
2160-410X
DOI: 10.1037/cfp0000173
OpenAlex: W3172301521
Cited by: 18
References: 32
Citations by year: 2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1
FWCI: 3.44
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Couple and Family Psychology Research and Practice (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Forgiveness and Related Behaviors
Keywords: romantic conflict, cognitive reappraisal, expressive writing, COVID-19 quarantine, lockdown, couples, relational aggression, online intervention, single-session intervention

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Effects of a brief web-based interpersonal conflict cognitive reappraisal expressive-writing intervention on changes in romantic conflict during COVID-19 quarantine.

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