Directions

Ingredients

New Research: Holding Your Partner's Hand Reduces Your Stress

What kind of study was this?

This was an experimental randomized, controlled trial (RCT). This means that all study participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group that received an intervention, or a control group that did not receive the intervention. In RCTs, researchers measure the difference in key outcomes between these groups to see if the intervention had an effect.

What did researchers want to know?

They wanted to know whether spousal social support reduces stress and helps us get through stressful episodes in our lives.  

What did the researchers actually do?

They decided that holding the hands of your spouse is a good example of spousal social support. So, they had a randomly assigned group of participants (all couples) hold hands while completing a stressful task. They had another randomly assigned group complete the stressful task alone. They measured stress through a camera that can detect how the size of pupils in the eyes change over time. Other studies have shown that stress enlarges the size of pupils.

What did the researchers find?

They found that for couples who held hands, pupils didn’t react as much to stressful moments in the task and that pupils reacted less to stressful moments throughout the task. This means that couples holding hands had less stress in otherwise stressful moments, and these stressful moments became less stressful over time.

What does this mean for parents and kids?

Hold hands! Also, be aware that sometimes we withdraw during stressful periods in our lives (“I just need some time alone.”). But it may be that what we really need is to let our guard down and be close to our partners.

‍

Original article:
Graff TC, Luke SG, Birmingham WC (2019) Supportive hand-holding attenuates pupillary responses to stress in adult couples. PLoS ONE 14(2): e0212703. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212703

New Research: Holding Your Partner's Hand Reduces Your Stress

Directions

Ingredients

Close
Theme icon

Podcast /

Content /

Connect

New Research: Holding Your Partner's Hand Reduces Your Stress

Holding your partner’s hand during stressful moments can reduce stress in the moment and also reduce your stress reaction over time to those types of moments.

By

The Yes Collective Team

August 24, 2021

Join the Yes Collective and download the mobile app today

JOIN TODAY

Key takeaways

1

2

3

Printer-friendly
Print
Printer-friendly

Font size

Low hassle, high nutrition

Fierce Food: Easy

Fierce Food: Easy

50/50 mixes of powerful veggies and starchy favorites

Fierce Food: Balance

Fierce Food: Balance

Maximize nutrients, minimize sugar and starch

Fierce Food: Power

Fierce Food: Power

Ingredients

Kitchen Equipment

Ingredient Replacement

View replacement list (PDF)

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

for Subscribers

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

Reading time:

3 minutes

What kind of study was this?

This was an experimental randomized, controlled trial (RCT). This means that all study participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group that received an intervention, or a control group that did not receive the intervention. In RCTs, researchers measure the difference in key outcomes between these groups to see if the intervention had an effect.

What did researchers want to know?

They wanted to know whether spousal social support reduces stress and helps us get through stressful episodes in our lives.  

What did the researchers actually do?

They decided that holding the hands of your spouse is a good example of spousal social support. So, they had a randomly assigned group of participants (all couples) hold hands while completing a stressful task. They had another randomly assigned group complete the stressful task alone. They measured stress through a camera that can detect how the size of pupils in the eyes change over time. Other studies have shown that stress enlarges the size of pupils.

What did the researchers find?

They found that for couples who held hands, pupils didn’t react as much to stressful moments in the task and that pupils reacted less to stressful moments throughout the task. This means that couples holding hands had less stress in otherwise stressful moments, and these stressful moments became less stressful over time.

What does this mean for parents and kids?

Hold hands! Also, be aware that sometimes we withdraw during stressful periods in our lives (“I just need some time alone.”). But it may be that what we really need is to let our guard down and be close to our partners.

‍

Original article:
Graff TC, Luke SG, Birmingham WC (2019) Supportive hand-holding attenuates pupillary responses to stress in adult couples. PLoS ONE 14(2): e0212703. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212703

What kind of study was this?

This was an experimental randomized, controlled trial (RCT). This means that all study participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group that received an intervention, or a control group that did not receive the intervention. In RCTs, researchers measure the difference in key outcomes between these groups to see if the intervention had an effect.

What did researchers want to know?

They wanted to know whether spousal social support reduces stress and helps us get through stressful episodes in our lives.  

What did the researchers actually do?

They decided that holding the hands of your spouse is a good example of spousal social support. So, they had a randomly assigned group of participants (all couples) hold hands while completing a stressful task. They had another randomly assigned group complete the stressful task alone. They measured stress through a camera that can detect how the size of pupils in the eyes change over time. Other studies have shown that stress enlarges the size of pupils.

What did the researchers find?

They found that for couples who held hands, pupils didn’t react as much to stressful moments in the task and that pupils reacted less to stressful moments throughout the task. This means that couples holding hands had less stress in otherwise stressful moments, and these stressful moments became less stressful over time.

What does this mean for parents and kids?

Hold hands! Also, be aware that sometimes we withdraw during stressful periods in our lives (“I just need some time alone.”). But it may be that what we really need is to let our guard down and be close to our partners.

‍

Original article:
Graff TC, Luke SG, Birmingham WC (2019) Supportive hand-holding attenuates pupillary responses to stress in adult couples. PLoS ONE 14(2): e0212703. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212703

What kind of study was this?

This was an experimental randomized, controlled trial (RCT). This means that all study participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group that received an intervention, or a control group that did not receive the intervention. In RCTs, researchers measure the difference in key outcomes between these groups to see if the intervention had an effect.

What did researchers want to know?

They wanted to know whether spousal social support reduces stress and helps us get through stressful episodes in our lives.  

What did the researchers actually do?

They decided that holding the hands of your spouse is a good example of spousal social support. So, they had a randomly assigned group of participants (all couples) hold hands while completing a stressful task. They had another randomly assigned group complete the stressful task alone. They measured stress through a camera that can detect how the size of pupils in the eyes change over time. Other studies have shown that stress enlarges the size of pupils.

What did the researchers find?

They found that for couples who held hands, pupils didn’t react as much to stressful moments in the task and that pupils reacted less to stressful moments throughout the task. This means that couples holding hands had less stress in otherwise stressful moments, and these stressful moments became less stressful over time.

What does this mean for parents and kids?

Hold hands! Also, be aware that sometimes we withdraw during stressful periods in our lives (“I just need some time alone.”). But it may be that what we really need is to let our guard down and be close to our partners.

‍

Original article:
Graff TC, Luke SG, Birmingham WC (2019) Supportive hand-holding attenuates pupillary responses to stress in adult couples. PLoS ONE 14(2): e0212703. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212703

Enjoying this article? Subscribe to the Yes Collective for more expert emotional wellness just for parents.

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

for Subscribers

ListenRead the article

for Subscribers

Learn more

More details

Discover Nourish

See more
New Research: Holding Your Partner's Hand Reduces Your Stress

Podcast

Condimentum eu tortor bibendum.

By

Jackie Kovic

New Research: Holding Your Partner's Hand Reduces Your Stress

Podcast

Condimentum eu tortor bibendum.

By

Jackie Kovic

Podcast

Condimentum eu tortor bibendum.

By

Jackie Kovic

Podcast Ep. 67: Breaking Cycles with Jenny & Justin

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 67: Breaking Cycles with Jenny & Justin

By

The Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 65: Authentic Dating with Executive Matchmaker and Dating Coach, Sophy Singer

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 65: Authentic Dating with Executive Matchmaker and Dating Coach, Sophy Singer

By

Yes Collective

Podcast Ep. 64: Ryel Kestano Shares What it Takes to Build Deep, Nourishing Relationships

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 64: Ryel Kestano Shares What it Takes to Build Deep, Nourishing Relationships

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 63: An Authentic Fresh Start with Christopher Gray

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 63: An Authentic Fresh Start with Christopher Gray

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 62: Re-centering, Renewing, and Refreshing in the New Year with Audra DiPadova

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 62: Re-centering, Renewing, and Refreshing in the New Year with Audra DiPadova

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 61: Honoring Your Grief During the Holidays with Vanessa Fierstadt, MS, MFT

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 61: Honoring Your Grief During the Holidays with Vanessa Fierstadt, MS, MFT

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 60: Bringing "Woo" Into Therapy with Janell Cox, LMFT

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 60: Bringing "Woo" Into Therapy with Janell Cox, LMFT

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 59: The Power of Woo for Mental and Emotional Health with Jenny Walters, LMFT

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 59: The Power of Woo for Mental and Emotional Health with Jenny Walters, LMFT

By

Yes Collective

Podcast Ep. 58: Creating a Work/Life Wellness Culture with Organizational Psychologist, Avina Gupta, PhD

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 58: Creating a Work/Life Wellness Culture with Organizational Psychologist, Avina Gupta, PhD

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 57: Building More Work/Life Wholeness with Jenn Cornelius, Chief People Officer at Ritual

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 57: Building More Work/Life Wholeness with Jenn Cornelius, Chief People Officer at Ritual

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 67: Breaking Cycles with Jenny & Justin

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 67: Breaking Cycles with Jenny & Justin

By

The Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 65: Authentic Dating with Executive Matchmaker and Dating Coach, Sophy Singer

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 65: Authentic Dating with Executive Matchmaker and Dating Coach, Sophy Singer

By

Yes Collective

Podcast Ep. 64: Ryel Kestano Shares What it Takes to Build Deep, Nourishing Relationships

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 64: Ryel Kestano Shares What it Takes to Build Deep, Nourishing Relationships

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 63: An Authentic Fresh Start with Christopher Gray

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 63: An Authentic Fresh Start with Christopher Gray

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 62: Re-centering, Renewing, and Refreshing in the New Year with Audra DiPadova

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 62: Re-centering, Renewing, and Refreshing in the New Year with Audra DiPadova

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 61: Honoring Your Grief During the Holidays with Vanessa Fierstadt, MS, MFT

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 61: Honoring Your Grief During the Holidays with Vanessa Fierstadt, MS, MFT

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 60: Bringing "Woo" Into Therapy with Janell Cox, LMFT

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 60: Bringing "Woo" Into Therapy with Janell Cox, LMFT

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 59: The Power of Woo for Mental and Emotional Health with Jenny Walters, LMFT

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 59: The Power of Woo for Mental and Emotional Health with Jenny Walters, LMFT

By

Yes Collective

Podcast Ep. 58: Creating a Work/Life Wellness Culture with Organizational Psychologist, Avina Gupta, PhD

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 58: Creating a Work/Life Wellness Culture with Organizational Psychologist, Avina Gupta, PhD

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 57: Building More Work/Life Wholeness with Jenn Cornelius, Chief People Officer at Ritual

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 57: Building More Work/Life Wholeness with Jenn Cornelius, Chief People Officer at Ritual

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Subscribe to get all the goods

Continue the conversation with our team of therapists, coaches, and parents just like you.

Join the app

More Nourish content

Embody
/
Flourish
/
Connect
Level Up Your Parent Communication Skills #3: Getting Present in the Body

Podcast

Level Up Your Parent Communication Skills #3: Getting Present in the Body

By

Alicia Wuth, PsyD and Justin Wilford, PhD

Chia Cauliflower Hashbrowns

Podcast

Chia Cauliflower Hashbrowns

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

The Scientific Reason Your Child Has Tantrums (and 5 Steps to a Tantrum-Free Future)

Podcast

The Scientific Reason Your Child Has Tantrums (and 5 Steps to a Tantrum-Free Future)

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

Podcast Ep. 45: Fighting for Working Moms with Erin Erenberg, Founder of Totum Women

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 45: Fighting for Working Moms with Erin Erenberg, Founder of Totum Women

By

Yes Collective Podcast

5 Books the Yes Collective Team Is Reading Right Now

Podcast

5 Books the Yes Collective Team Is Reading Right Now

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

Level up Your Parent Communication Skills #4 - Openly Engaging With Difficult Emotions

Podcast

Level up Your Parent Communication Skills #4 - Openly Engaging With Difficult Emotions

By

Alicia Wuth, PsyD and Justin Wilford, PhD

5 Things That Could Be Contributing to Air Pollution in Your Family’s Home

Podcast

5 Things That Could Be Contributing to Air Pollution in Your Family’s Home

By

Jonah Yakel, DC

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

Podcast

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

By

Chef Andrew Johnson

New Research: Probiotics improve body weight, body fat, and heart health in adults

Podcast

New Research: Probiotics improve body weight, body fat, and heart health in adults

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

Crockpot Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup

Podcast

Crockpot Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup

By

Anne Watson

More Embody content

Nourish
/
Flourish
/
Connect
New Research: Why You Should Swap Your Pasta for Protein

Podcast

New Research: Why You Should Swap Your Pasta for Protein

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

Podcast Ep. 16: Become a Better Parent by Mastering Your Emotions with Alexandra Tataryn, Bio-Emotive Coach

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 16: Become a Better Parent by Mastering Your Emotions with Alexandra Tataryn, Bio-Emotive Coach

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Meet the Yes Collective Experts: Jena Curtis, EdD

Podcast

Meet the Yes Collective Experts: Jena Curtis, EdD

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

New Research: A Whole Food Diet Leads to Better Health Through Good Gut Bacteria

Podcast

New Research: A Whole Food Diet Leads to Better Health Through Good Gut Bacteria

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

Crockpot Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup

Podcast

Crockpot Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup

By

Anne Watson

5 Reasons Parents Need to Prioritize Great Sleep

Podcast

5 Reasons Parents Need to Prioritize Great Sleep

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

New Research: Peanuts Are Better for Us Than White Rice

Podcast

New Research: Peanuts Are Better for Us Than White Rice

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

Turmeric-Garlic Sizzle Avocado Salad

Podcast

Turmeric-Garlic Sizzle Avocado Salad

By

Andy Baraghani

Pod Wisdom: One Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice Parents Can Do at Home

Podcast

Pod Wisdom: One Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice Parents Can Do at Home

By

The Yes Collective Podcast

Doctor Dad: Why I’m Committed to My Family’s Dinner Time

Podcast

Doctor Dad: Why I’m Committed to My Family’s Dinner Time

By

Colin Champ, MD

More Flourish content

Nourish
/
Embody
/
Connect
Podcast Ep. 26: Tembi Locke on Parenting With Grace, Growing Through Grief, and Thriving No Matter What 

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 26: Tembi Locke on Parenting With Grace, Growing Through Grief, and Thriving No Matter What 

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Podcast Ep. 59: The Power of Woo for Mental and Emotional Health with Jenny Walters, LMFT

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 59: The Power of Woo for Mental and Emotional Health with Jenny Walters, LMFT

By

Yes Collective

Podcast Ep. 67: Breaking Cycles with Jenny & Justin

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 67: Breaking Cycles with Jenny & Justin

By

The Yes Collective Podcast

Why This Pediatric Dietitian Is Praising Chrissy Teigen’s Stigma-Busting Tweets

Podcast

Why This Pediatric Dietitian Is Praising Chrissy Teigen’s Stigma-Busting Tweets

By

Tiffani Ghere, Pediatric Dietician, Certified Lactation Educator

New Research: Parenting Plays a Big Role in Passing Depression Down Through Generations

Podcast

New Research: Parenting Plays a Big Role in Passing Depression Down Through Generations

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

Parents Who Acknowledge and Validate Emotions Have Emotionally Healthier Kids

Podcast

Parents Who Acknowledge and Validate Emotions Have Emotionally Healthier Kids

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

Podcast Ep. 28: Big News Plus a Guided Meditation Just in Time for the Holidays

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 28: Big News Plus a Guided Meditation Just in Time for the Holidays

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Podcast Ep. 55: Recovering from trauma with therapist and trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator Ruthie Duran Deffley, LCSW

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 55: Recovering from trauma with therapist and trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator Ruthie Duran Deffley, LCSW

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Podcast Ep. 24: Busy Philipps Gets Real About Emotional Healing, Parenting, and Authentic Self Discovery (without Ayahuasca)

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 24: Busy Philipps Gets Real About Emotional Healing, Parenting, and Authentic Self Discovery (without Ayahuasca)

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Meet the Yes Collective Experts: Alicia Samaniego Wuth, PsyD

Podcast

Meet the Yes Collective Experts: Alicia Samaniego Wuth, PsyD

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

More Connect content

Nourish
/
Embody
/
Flourish
How to NEVER Lose Another Argument With Your Partner

Podcast

How to NEVER Lose Another Argument With Your Partner

By

Justin Wilford, PhD, and Alicia Wuth, PsyD

Podcast Ep. 64: Ryel Kestano Shares What it Takes to Build Deep, Nourishing Relationships

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 64: Ryel Kestano Shares What it Takes to Build Deep, Nourishing Relationships

By

Yes Collective Podcast

Pod Wisdom: Jayson Gaddis on the 3 Biggest Misconceptions Around Building Healthy Relationships

Podcast

Pod Wisdom: Jayson Gaddis on the 3 Biggest Misconceptions Around Building Healthy Relationships

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

5 Tips for Teaching Your Kids How to Set Healthy Boundaries

Podcast

5 Tips for Teaching Your Kids How to Set Healthy Boundaries

By

Christina Furnival, Licensed Psychotherapist

Mastering the Meltdown: The Cereal Offender

Podcast

Mastering the Meltdown: The Cereal Offender

By

Alicia Wuth, PsyD and Alyssa Stewart

Podcast Ep. #28: With Jayson Gaddis, Relationship Expert

Podcast

Podcast Ep. #28: With Jayson Gaddis, Relationship Expert

By

The Yes Collective Podcast

Level Up Your Parent Communication Skills #2: Curiosity

Podcast

Level Up Your Parent Communication Skills #2: Curiosity

By

Alicia Wuth, PsyD and Justin Wilford, PhD

Podcast Ep. 14: Destroying Myths Around Parenting Teenagers With Vanessa Baker, Parent Coach

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 14: Destroying Myths Around Parenting Teenagers With Vanessa Baker, Parent Coach

By

The Family Thrive Podcast

Podcast Ep. 53: How to find and nurture deep friendships with executive matchmaker, Sophy Singer

Podcast

Podcast Ep. 53: How to find and nurture deep friendships with executive matchmaker, Sophy Singer

By

The Yes Collective Podcast

New Research: Feeling Powerful in Your Relationship Is Tied to Marriage Satisfaction

Podcast

New Research: Feeling Powerful in Your Relationship Is Tied to Marriage Satisfaction

By

The Yes Collective Expert Team

Join the app
Login
Join the interest list today!
AboutFAQContact
Join the app today
AboutFAQContact
Submission Guidelines  Terms and Conditions   Privacy policy  Copyright © 2023 The Family Thrive, PBC. All rights reserved. Designed with love by Good Kind