Confirmation, Disconfirmation, and Communal Coping for Joint Physical Activity in Romantic Dyads

ABSTRACT

Most people in the United States do not engage in sufficient physical activity (PA). However, certain communication behaviors from romantic partners can motivate PA. Research indicates that confirming communication and communal coping (CC) in romantic relationships can increase PA efforts, but less research has examined the role of explicitly disconfirming communication or relationships between confirmation, disconfirmation, and CC on PA outcomes. We examined models in which shared PA appraisals mediate relationships between (a) confirmation and (b) disconfirmation and joint PA behavior in heterosexual, romantic dyads. Sex differences in actor and partner effects were also considered. Partners (N = 144) in 72 dyads completed assessments of key constructs. Results indicated that shared PA appraisals were critical in the confirmation model, mediating relationships between perceptions of confirmation and reports of joint PA. Unexpectedly, both partners’ reports of partner disconfirmation were positively associated with their partners’ reports of joint PA. Only one statistically significant sex difference emerged. Theoretical and pragmatic implications are discussed.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, AJH, upon reasonable request.

Notes

1. The 10% of partners who did not indicate wanting to change did not differ significantly from the 90% who indicated they wanted to change on any key study variable: confirmation, disconfirmation, shared PA appraisals, or joint action.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Trifecta Initiative and the Health and Risk Communication Center at Michigan State University.