Long-term love thrives on rose-coloured glasses. People who retain over-inflated ideations of their partners' positive attributes report greater marriage satisfaction over the long term than do their less optimistic counterparts. According to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, optimistic partners apply 'approach' strategies to "problem-solving, employing cooperation and refraining from attacks". (1) Less optimistic couples do the opposite: they blame and attack, and use avoidant strategies (like 'giving the cold shoulder'), all which act only to further strain the relationship.
D.
(1) Psychology Today, May/June 2011, p. 11.
About Me
- Deborah K. Hanula
- Deborah K. Hanula has a year of Journalism training from Humber College, a Political Science degree from the University of Waterloo, and a Law degree from the University of British Columbia. In addition, she has Diplomas in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Child Psychology, and Psychotherapy and Counselling as well as a Family Life Educator and Coach Certificate and Certificates in Reflexology, Assertiveness Training, and Mindfulness Meditation. She is the author of five cookbooks, primarily concerned with gluten-free and dairy-free diets, although one pertains to chocolate. As an adult, in the past she worked primarily as a lawyer, but also as a university and college lecturer, a tutor, editor, writer, counsellor, researcher and piano teacher. She enjoys a multi-faceted approach when it comes to life, work and study, in order to keep things fresh and interesting. Check out her new book: A Murder of Crows & Other Poems (2023).
