Greater emotional arousal predicts poorer long-term memory of communication skills in couples

Many studies have examined the importance of learning skills in behaviorally based couple interventions but none have examined predictors of long-term memory for skills. Associations between emotional arousal and long-term recall of communication skills delivered to couples during a behaviorally based relationship distress prevention program were examined in a sample of 49 German couples. Fundamental frequency (f0), a vocal measure of encoded emotional arousal, was measured during pre-treatment couple conflict. Higher levels of f0 were linked to fewer skills remembered 11 years after completing the program, and women remembered more skills than men. Implications of results for behaviorally based couple interventions are discussed.

► Vocal emotional arousal as a predictor of long-term memory for communication skills. ► Greater emotional arousal predicts remembering fewer skills. ► Women remember more skills than men. ► Sustained emotional arousal may impact memory through encoding, retrieval, or both.