Decoding stressful conversations

Investigating the links between testosterone, relational outcomes, and perceived (non)accommodation in mixed-sex college couples

Bibliographic Data

ID2934090
AuthorsA Dhillon (0000-0003-2733-5217, California Polytechnic State University, corresponding author), A Denes (0000-0003-2252-5687, University of Connecticut)
Year2025
Volume42
Issue4
Pages1051-1078
Publication date2025-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/02654075251315034
OpenAlexW4406573528
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited58

Communication behavior during conversations about relational stressors has consequences for romantic relationships and may be associated with partners' relational uncertainty and satisfaction. The current study explored whether the hormone testosterone (T) is associated with post-conversation relational outcomes through perceptions of partners' (non)accommodative behaviors during a stressful conversation. Data was collected from 50 mixed-sex college couples. The results of an actor-partner dyadic mediation model revealed that, for women, T was associated with perceived partner (non)accommodation, which in turn was associated with relational uncertainty. Partner effects were also found. More specifically, women's T was positively associated with men's relational uncertainty and men's perceived nonaccommodation, men's perceived accommodation was negatively associated with women's relational uncertainty, and women's perceived nonaccommodation was positively associated with men's relational uncertainty. The findings extend the growing research linking physiology and communication and indicate that romantic partners' hormone levels are associated with both their own and their partner's perceptions of communication behavior and subsequent relational outcomes

Accommodation · Conversation · Developmental psychology · Mediation · Moderated mediation · Perception · Romance · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

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