For couples with high negative affect and few repair attempts, what intervention priority is recommended?

For couples with high negative affect and few repair attempts, what intervention priority is recommended?

• A. Increase negativity to vent
• B. Prioritize reducing negativity (Four Horsemen), teaching soft startups, increasing repair attempts early, and gradually increasing positive interactions.
• C. Skip repair attempts
• D. Increase positivity later with no repair efforts

Answer: (B)

When a couple shows high negative affect and few repair attempts, the priority is to lower the level of negativity and build the ability to repair conversations as soon as tension arises. This involves addressing the Four Horsemen patterns (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling) and replacing them with more constructive, non-blaming communication. Introducing soft startups helps conversations begin in a gentler way, which reduces defensiveness and makes it easier to stay connected. Putting emphasis on increasing repair attempts early means the partners practice quick, genuine bids to reset, apologize, or acknowledge each other, so missteps don’t spiral into full-blown arguments. As these repair attempts become more routine, you can gradually increase positive interactions to solidify a healthier cycle. Venting negativity, skipping repair, or aiming for positivity only later without addressing repair leaves the negative cycle intact and undermines any later gains, so they’re not effective approaches in this scenario.

When a couple shows high negative affect and few repair attempts, the priority is to lower the level of negativity and build the ability to repair conversations as soon as tension arises. This involves addressing the Four Horsemen patterns (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling) and replacing them with more constructive, non-blaming communication. Introducing soft startups helps conversations begin in a gentler way, which reduces defensiveness and makes it easier to stay connected.

Putting emphasis on increasing repair attempts early means the partners practice quick, genuine bids to reset, apologize, or acknowledge each other, so missteps don’t spiral into full-blown arguments. As these repair attempts become more routine, you can gradually increase positive interactions to solidify a healthier cycle.

Venting negativity, skipping repair, or aiming for positivity only later without addressing repair leaves the negative cycle intact and undermines any later gains, so they’re not effective approaches in this scenario.