Our Love Language: A Systematic Review of the Association Between Observed Couple Communication and Relationship Satisfaction

Romantic relationship satisfaction predicts many domains of well-being (Gustavson et al., 2016), and dyadic communication style is strongly linked to relationship satisfaction (Meeks et al., 1998). Extensive research utilizing self-report data replicates findings that positive (e.g., validating, supportive) forms of communication are related to higher satisfaction while forms of negative communication (e.g., criticism, withdrawal) are associated with lower satisfaction (Holman & Jarvis, 2003). Interestingly, observational methods show mixed results—engagement in negative styles is linked to higher satisfaction (Gottman & Krokoff, 1989). Extant research attributes these findings to method variability in observational research (e.g., discussion type, coding system). The present systematic review seeks to clarify the relationship between couples’ observed communication and relationship satisfaction. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (Page et al., 2021) using APA PsycInfo and APA PsycArticles databases, N = 28 articlesmet the inclusion criteria. Articles were longitudinal (N = 16) and cross-sectional (N = 16), included observations of couples in problem solving (N = 24), social support (N = 10), positive reminiscence (N = 3), and mutually satisfying (N = 1) discussions using varying coding techniques (N = 21). All articles showed support for the link between positive communication style and higher relationship satisfaction. The results also supported the association between negative communication and higher satisfaction, with the most support for its benefit during severe topic discussions. The role of other moderators (i.e., discussion type, stress, pregnancy intention, ethnicity, gender) as well as clinical and research implications will be explored.