Conjoint Exercise among young married couples: Exploring associations with couple conflict, conflict resolution, and communication
Ashlyn Mildenhall, Matthew L. Núñez, Jeremy YorgasonABSTRACT
Objective
This study examined how individual and conjoint exercise are associated with marital communication, conflict resolution, and conflict among young married couples in the United States.
Background
Although exercise is widely recognized for its physical and mental health benefits, less is known about how exercising with a spouse may strengthen relationship processes. Conjoint behaviors, such as shared activities, often contribute to marital quality. Understanding whether conjoint exercise predicts marital outcomes can inform interventions aimed at strengthening couple functioning.
Method
Data were drawn from 1,693 young married couples in the United States who participated in a representative national study of early marriage. Using cross‐sectional data, we assessed wives' and husbands' individual and conjoint exercise and self‐reports of marital communication, conflict resolution, and conflict. Dyadic regression models were used to evaluate associations between exercise variables and marital outcomes.
Results
Both individual and conjoint exercise among wives and husbands were significantly associated with higher marital communication and conflict resolution and lower marital conflict. When examined simultaneously, conjoint exercise consistently demonstrated stronger associations with marital outcomes than individual exercise. These patterns held across both husbands and wives.
Conclusion
Conjoint exercise appears to be a more robust predictor of positive marital processes than individual exercise. Engaging in physical activity alone and with one's partner may enhance marital outcomes.
Implications
Findings suggest that conjoint exercise may be a useful strategy for promoting healthier communication patterns and reducing conflict in marriage. Practitioners and educators may consider incorporating conjoint exercise into marriage education courses and therapeutic strategies.