Associations of Mindful Partnering With Mental and Relational Health.
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy July 1, 2026 Brock A Rigsby, Hannah C Dunlop, Samantha M Brown et al.
Greater 'mindful partnering'—an interpersonal form of mindfulness in romantic relationships—predicts fewer mental health symptoms and better relationship health. The study tested this across two samples (168 and 170 participants) using self-reports and observations, applying actor-partner interdependence models. The authors argue that relational mindfulness may offer unique benefits beyond individual intrapersonal mindfulness and that mindful partnering is a promising target for couple interventions.