walking through conflict
Post on 29-Jan-2018
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Sunshine J.
Baker
University of
Central Florida
WALKING THROUGH
CONFLICT
RESEARCH QUESTION:
“What are the effects of
walking during conflict-
related marital
communication
episodes?”
DOES WALKING HELP CONFLICT?
I contend that walking
outdoors for thirty minutes
during conflict can improve
both mood and physiological
responses to conflict in
married couples.
Studies that show
improvements in positive
affect through walking
involved being outdoors in
nature.
Focus on marital conflict
rather than other conflict
types.
WALKING OUTDOORS DURING MARITAL
CONFLICT
Mentions of Exercise for Conflict Improvement in Communication Literature Researchers often mention exercise as
an effective way to take a break and reduce negative emotion during conflict.
Combs promotes physical activity as an effective means to resolve conflict “to progress from a refusal to change and jump back into the conflict wheel, we can employ the fiery practice of movement” (Combs, 2004, p. 13).
Walking is also recommended prior to conflict as a way of reducing stress levels. Canary recommends walking as a method of episode control to prepare for conflict.
“ATTENTIVE
WALKING IS A
SIMPLE
EXERCISE THAT
CAN EXPAND
OUR
PERSPECTIVE
AND FOSTER
OUR
APPRECIATION”
(COMBS, 2004,
P. 13).
Physiological Effects of Conflict in Marital Communication Marital conflict in the laboratory produces
substantial changes in neuroendocrine and cardiovascular function.
This physical data is often combined with responses to surveys that measure things like marital satisfaction, mood states, and affect.
Gottman’s flooding effect.
Elevated heart rate
Blood pressure increases
Hormonal responses during marital conflict include increased cortisol.
WHAT
HAPPENS
IN THE
BODY
DURING
MARITAL
CONFLICT?
IS
WALKING
THE
MAGIC
PILL?
WHAT IF THERE WAS A WAY TO
MODERATE THESE DELETERIOUS
EFFECTS BY LOWERING BLOOD
PRESSURE, CORTISOL LEVELS, AND
HEART RATE DURING CONFLICT? SOME
RESEARCHERS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT
WALKING MAY HOLD THE KEY.
Self-soothing to
reduce flooding.
WALKING AS A BREAK IN CONFLICT
Walk and Talk therapy is an accepted practice in Clinical Psychology.
Three components: physical activity, nature, and casualness (McKinney, 2013).
Doucette (2004) describes walk and talk therapy as counseling, including solution-focused therapy, done outdoors while walking.
Doucette (2004) conducted a qualitative study on behaviorally challenged youths, to discover whether they would benefit from walking outdoors while engaging in counseling. This study shows that walking while talking can reduce tension and improve outcomes .
Tension is reduced by being outdoors, and by the physical effects of exercise.
WALKING DURING CONFLICT: WALK AND
TALK THERAPY
Mood-booster.
Anxiety -reducing.
Distracts people
from stressful
events
Raises calming
hormones in the
body.
Enhances energy
and also reduces
tension.
POSITIVE EMOTIONAL IMPACTS OF
EXERCISE
WHAT
DOSE OF
WALKING
IMPROVES
MOOD?
LOW INTENSITY EXERCISE
LIKE WALKING = MOST
EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING
MOOD.
DURATIONS OF 30 MINUTES
TO 35 MINUTES WERE FOUND
TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE.
POSITIVE MOOD INCREASES
BROUGHT ON BY EXERCISE
LASTED FOR AT LEAST 30
MINUTES AFTER EXERCISE.
PROPOSAL
I PROPOSE AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON THE
EFFECTS OF WALKING DURING MARITAL CONFLICT.
WALKING CAN BE DONE DURING CONFLICT, OR AS A
BREAK IN CONFLICT.
MY STUDY WILL COMPARE THE TWO METHODS TO
DISCOVER WHICH PRODUCES THE BEST OUTCOMES.
RQ1: WOULD MARRIED COUPLES EXHIBIT FEWER
SIGNS OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STRAIN IF THEY
CONDUCTED THEIR CONFLICTS WHILE WALKING
OUTDOORS?
RQ2: WOULD TAKING A 30 MINUTE WALK DURING A
BREAK FROM CONFLICT ACCOMPLISH THE TASKS OF
SELF-SOOTHING?
• Marital conflict has been shown to have
numerous negative physical effects on
couples.
• Walking is a PROVEN effective self-regulatory
strategy to improve feelings of positive affect
and energy.
• If couples had a tool they could use to self-
soothe during conflict, such as walking, they
might have more productive and positive
conflict experiences.
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