Predicting Couples’ Distress through Discrepancies between Perceived Vs. Experienced Closeness

Inaccurately interpreting romantic partners’ behavior predicts relationship distress. Based on lab-based conversations, we predicted that more discrepant perceptions of closeness would lead to higher distress. Results confirmed our hypothesis, suggesting clinical interventions aimed at improving perceptual accuracy are likely to have a positive impact on relationship satisfaction and decrease distress.