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Q.

Can expressing gratitude towards my partner improve our relationship?

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Answers From Experts & Organizations (1)

Leslie Becker-Phelps, PhDLeslie Becker-Phelps, PhDSUCCESS!
Leslie Becker-Phelps, PhD
Psychology
14 Answers
164 Helpful Votes
23 Followers
A.
Expressing gratitude can be an extremely helpful way for couples to keep their relationship happy.
Frequently expressing gratitude in some way — maybe a hug, smile, or statement of appreciation — can make all the difference in the world to your partner and your relationship. Even if he or she already knows that they are appreciated, it still feels good to them to have that gratitude expressed.

A recent study by Cameron, Amette, & Smith (2011) supported this idea and added an interesting insight. It found that a spouse’s feeling and expressing gratitude in their relationship is related to their marital satisfaction. Interestingly, while a person’s feeling of gratitude predicted their spouse’s marital satisfaction, their expressed gratitude did not. This means that it is not enough to just express gratitude — you must really feel it.

To have such gratitude, people must be open to viewing their partner in a positive light. Those who harbor grudges must be willing to put them aside — at least for the moment. They must risk that their partner won’t use this offering of gratitude as a weapon to beat them with.

There are innumerable ways to express your gratitude. By incorporating it into your relationship on a daily basis, it will simply be a part of how you are with each other.

This answer should not be considered medical advice...down arrowThis answer should not be considered medical advice and should not take the place of a doctor’s visit. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.up arrow

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