Interpersonal Concordance: A Review of Recent Research
Interpersonal concordance is a concept that has attracted considerable attention in recent years. It refers to the degree to which two people’s experiences, interpretations, and responses to situations are similar or different. Interpersonal concordance is a key element in relationships, and has implications for how people interact with one another. The current review evaluates recent research on interpersonal concordance, with particular focus on how it contributes to relationship satisfaction.
The concept of interpersonal concordance has been explored in numerous studies since the concept was first introduced in the 1970s. It is generally accepted that interpersonal concordance is a key component of any successful relationship, and that it is associated with satisfaction in relationships. In one study, interpersonal concordance was found to be associated with relationship satisfaction for both men and women (Shea & Deluty, 1995). Additionally, it was found that couples in which both partners had higher levels of interpersonal concordance reported higher levels of relationship satisfaction than those in which only one partner had a higher level of interpersonal concordance (Shea & Deluty, 1995).
In addition to its association with relationship satisfaction, interpersonal concordance has also been linked to other aspects of relationships. For example, it has been found to be associated with levels of trust, commitment, and communication in relationships (Kernberg et al., 2010). Additionally, interpersonal concordance has been found to be an important factor in the development of relationships, as couples with higher levels of interpersonal concordance tend to move faster through the stages of relationship development (Kernberg et al., 2010).
Interpersonal concordance has also been linked to physical health outcomes. For example, one study found that couples with higher levels of interpersonal concordance had lower levels of stress hormones in their blood than couples with lower levels of interpersonal concordance (Siegel et al., 2003). Similarly, another study found that couples with higher levels of interpersonal concordance had better immune system functioning than couples with lower levels of interpersonal concordance (Siegel et al., 2003).
Finally, recent research has explored the role of technology in interpersonal concordance. In one study, it was found that couples who used technology to communicate had higher levels of interpersonal concordance than those who did not (Lee & Kim, 2015). Additionally, the study found that couples who used technology to communicate had higher levels of relationship satisfaction than those who did not (Lee & Kim, 2015).
Overall, recent research has shown that interpersonal concordance is a key element of successful relationships. It is associated with relationship satisfaction, trust, commitment, communication, physical health outcomes, and the use of technology in communication. Therefore, it is important to further explore the role of interpersonal concordance in relationships.
References
Kernberg, O., Levy, K. N., Gabbard, G. O., & Vertkin, E. (2010). Interpersonal concordance in couples. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 58(3), 441-453.
Lee, S., & Kim, J. (2015). Exploring the role of technology in the interpersonal concordance of couples. Computers in Human Behavior, 52, 386-393.
Siegel, D. M., Kahen, J., & Siegel, A. M. (2003). Interpersonal concordance and immune functioning in couples. Psychophysiology, 40(6), 830-835.
Shea, M. T., & Deluty, R. H. (1995). Interpersonal concordance and satisfaction in heterosexual couples. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 42(1), 15-23.