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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 1/2011

01-02-2011 | Original Article

On the Importance of Knowing Your Partner’s Views: Attitude Familiarity is Associated with Better Interpersonal Functioning and Lower Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Daily Life

Authors: David M. Sanbonmatsu, Ph.D., Bert N. Uchino, Ph.D., Wendy Birmingham, M.A.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

Relationships have been linked to significant physical health outcomes. However, little is known about the more specific processes that might be responsible for such links.

Purpose

The main aim of this study was to examine a previously unexplored and potentially important form of partner knowledge (i.e., attitude familiarity) on relationship processes and cardiovascular function.

Methods

In this study, 47 married couples completed an attitude familiarity questionnaire and ambulatory assessments of daily spousal interactions and blood pressure.

Results

Attitude familiarity was associated with better interpersonal functioning between spouses in daily life (e.g., greater partner responsiveness). Importantly, attitude familiarity was also related to lower overall ambulatory systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusions

These data suggest that familiarity with a spouse’s attitudes may be an important factor linking relationships to better interpersonal and physical health outcomes.
Footnotes
1
We thank the reviewers for this excellent suggestion.
 
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Metadata
Title
On the Importance of Knowing Your Partner’s Views: Attitude Familiarity is Associated with Better Interpersonal Functioning and Lower Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Daily Life
Authors
David M. Sanbonmatsu, Ph.D.
Bert N. Uchino, Ph.D.
Wendy Birmingham, M.A.
Publication date
01-02-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9234-0

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