Being kind to yourself in a romantic relationship can make couples happier, according to a new study.
The research involved 209 heterosexual couples, and it showed that men, in particular, benefit when their partner is self-compassionate.
Let's find out more about how it works.
A new experiment
Self-compassion involves being caring and understanding toward your own shortcomings.
The study found that having self-compassion improves the happiness of both partners in a relationship.
Men in heterosexual love bonds reported higher relationship satisfaction when their partner showed self-compassion.
The research suggests that self-compassion not only affects personal well-being but also influences how people experience and interact in romantic relationships, including conflict resolution and handling jealousy.
The study considered both individuals in a romantic relationship, assessing their satisfaction with sexuality and the relationship's long-term potential.
Why it's important
The specialists emphasized the importance of understanding the interrelationship between partners to grasp the full potential of self-compassion for happy relationships.
The study, conducted with German-speaking heterosexual couples, highlights the potential benefits of self-compassion in couples' therapies, as it can be developed and applied in various life situations.
The specialists recommend further studies involving same-sex couples and individuals from different cultural backgrounds to explore potential variations in expectations and experiences in romantic relationships.
Previously, we talked about nervous tics.