A University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study of 589 U.S. adults found that people who more often “savor” positive experiences with their partner—by revisiting good memories, enjoying the moment, or anticipating future events—reported higher relationship satisfaction, less communication conflict and greater confidence their relationship will last. The analysis also suggests joint savoring may help buffer the negative link between stress and both relationship confidence and psychological distress.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examined whether intentionally dwelling on shared positive experiences—what the authors call “joint savoring”—is associated with better relationship well-being.
The research, led by graduate student Noah B. Larsen with faculty collaborators Allen W. Barton and Brian G. Ogolsky, analyzed online survey responses from 589 adults across the United States. Most respondents were married (more than 85%); about 10% were engaged and 4% reported being in committed dating relationships. Partners themselves did not complete the survey, and the average participant age was about 39.
To measure joint savoring, researchers used the Joint Savoring in Romantic Relationships scale, which they report was adapted from the Savoring Beliefs Inventory—a commonly used measure of how people attend to and extend positive feelings about past, present and future experiences. Participants also answered questions about relationship satisfaction, communication conflict and confidence their relationship would last, along with several measures related to stress and well-being.
In the survey results, higher levels of reported joint savoring were associated with less communication conflict, higher relationship satisfaction and greater confidence about the relationship’s future. “Savoring involves slowing down to become aware of and focus on positive experiences,” Larsen said.
The researchers also reported that joint savoring appeared most protective when participants reported higher stress. Larsen said that “when couples face greater stress, savoring can serve as a buffer,” helping protect both relationship confidence and mental health. Barton, emphasizing potential practical implications, said identifying behaviors that buffer relationships under stress can give couples “tangible things” to do to maintain relationship strength.
The study was published in the journal Contemporary Family Therapy.
