Benefits of capitalization in newlyweds: predicting marital satisfaction and depression symptoms

I examined contemporaneous and time-lagged associations between capitalization perceptions and marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms in 193 newlywed couples over two years and whether chronic stress moderated the effects of capitalization perceptions. Within-spouse multi-level analyses indicated that capitalization perceptions predicted contemporaneous and time-lagged changes in marital satisfaction. Although capitalization perceptions did not predict contemporaneous changes in depression symptoms, capitalization perceptions predicted subsequent decreases in wives’ depression symptoms. Further, as wives’ chronic stress increased, there was a stronger positive association between capitalization perceptions and contemporaneous marital satisfaction and a stronger negative association between capitalization perceptions and contemporaneous depression symptoms. Results highlight how celebrating successes and good fortune can set spouses on a trajectory towards individual and relationship well-being.