| Interpersonal conflict has been linked with various health outcomes. Despite conflict's aversive effects, couples' are not always able to resolve their conflicts in a single encounter and therefore extend issues over time. These reoccurring argumentative episodes are known as serial arguing (Trapp & Hoff, 1985). Aspects of serial arguing have been linked with both relational difficulties and individual well-being. This study explores how aspects of serial arguments including resolution of episodes, being optimistic and ruminating in response to episodes, hostility enacted during argumentative episodes and roles individuals play in episodes are linked with individuals' physical and mental well-being in engaged and married couples (N= 51). Specifically, resolution of conflict episodes is beneficial for individuals as it has a negative impact on stress, stress levels, and avoidance of thoughts and feelings about the argument. Conversely, a lack of resolution is detrimental as it is positively related to individuals experiencing an increase in stress levels, intrusive thoughts, a hyperaroused state, avoidance, and a decrease in daily activities due to emotional problems. Individuals who coped with their episodes by maintaining optimism, experienced less physical health problems, excessive worrying, stress, intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, cutting down on daily activities, and a bad mood. However, individuals who mulled after conflict episodes were more likely to experience health problems, anxiety, stress, an increase in stress levels, intrusion, hyperarousal, avoidance, cutting down on daily activities, pain, and depression. Mutual hostility was also detrimental as it was positively related to stress, intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, avoiding thoughts about the encounter, cutting down on daily activities, physical pain, and a bad mood. Initiators of episodes were more likely to mull than resistors. Initiators were also more likely to report experiencing health problems, stress, intrusiveness, and pain. Thus, taking the resistor role is more beneficial for individuals' physical and mental health. The present analysis provides further evidence that serial arguing is related to individual well-being. Theoretical and applied implications are presented. Limitations of the study and avenues for future research are also discussed. |
