The Relationship Between Accurate and Benevolently Biased Serial Argument Perceptions and Individual Negative Health Perceptions

Abstract

This study explores the extent to which romantic partners’ accurate or benevolently biased (i.e., positive relational illusions) perceptions of one another’s perceived resolvability and conflict strategy usage in serial arguments are linked to multiple measures of individual negative health perceptions. Eighty-four romantic couples separately completed a questionnaire that assessed self- and partner-reports of the serial argument variables and self-reports of negative health perceptions. Benevolently biased serial argument perceptions were significantly associated with more negative health perception variables than were accurate perceptions. These findings offer tentative support for considering dyadic perceptions in relation to individual well-being in the serial argument context.