Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Kind of Communicator Are You?Why Communication MattersLimitationsCharacteristicsCommunication ProblemsImprove Your CommunicationWhen to Get Help

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

What Kind of Communicator Are You?

Why Communication Matters

Limitations

Characteristics

Communication Problems

Improve Your Communication

When to Get Help

Close

Communication is vital forhealthy relationships. Being able to talk openly and honestly with the people in your life allows you to share, learn, respond, and forge lasting bonds. This is a vital part of any relationship, including those with friends and family, but it can be particularly important in romantic relationships.

At a Glance

While all relationships are different and each one has its own ups and downs, being able to talk to your partner means that you’ll be able to share your worries, show support for one another, and work together to handle conflict more effectively.

Our fast and freecommunication styles quizcan help give you some insight into how you interact with others and what it could mean for your interpersonal relationships, both at work and at home.

Benefits of Communication in Relationships

According to Dr. John Gottman, a clinical psychologist and founder of the Gottman Institute, a couple’s communication pattern can often predict how successful a relationship will be.Good communication can help enhance your relationship in a variety of ways:

Less Rumination

Communication in relationships can minimizerumination. Instead of stewing over negative feelings, good communication allows people to discuss their concerns and resolve them in a more positive, effective way.

Greater Intimacy

Good communication in relationships also fosters intimacy. Forming a close emotional connection with another person requires a mutual give-and-take when it comes to sharing things about yourself and listening to the other person.

This reciprocalself-disclosuremeans talking about your experiences, beliefs, values, opinions, and expectations. In order to do this, you both need to possess communication skills that foster this connection and allow it to grow and deepen with time.

Less Conflict

Communication in relationships reduces and resolves conflict. Every relationship isbound to experience conflictfrom time to time.

When you are able to talk about your problems in an open and honest way, however, you can resolve arguments and disagreements more readily.

Rather than getting caught up in a cycle of misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and emotional strife, you can address your problems and take steps toimprove your relationship.

Communication Doesn’t Solve Everything

A study published in theJournal of Marriage and Familyfound that while there is certainly a connection between communication and relationship satisfaction, good communication alone doesn’t definitively predict how happy you’ll be in your relationships.

Other Factors Play a RoleOther factors—including how much interaction a couple has, the personality characteristics of each partner, and stress—all play a part in determining how satisfied people feel in their relationship.

Other Factors Play a Role

Other factors—including how much interaction a couple has, the personality characteristics of each partner, and stress—all play a part in determining how satisfied people feel in their relationship.

Another study found that positive communication did not have a strong connection with relationship satisfaction over time. However, couples that reported less negative communication than usual and reported feeling more satisfied with their relationship than they usually did.

So while research suggests that communicating well isn’t a guarantee for a happy relationship, there is plenty of research indicating that good communication skills enhance relationships and well-being in a number of ways.

Effective communication is one way to foster a positive, supportive relationship with your partner.

When you actively listen and respond to your partner (and they do the same for you), both of you are more likely to feel valued and cared for.

For example, one study found that when people feel that their partner values them, they are more likely to sleep better.And ultimately, feeling more valued, positive, and happy in your relationships can have a beneficial impact on your overall well-being.

RecapCommunication is just one part of a good relationship. Research suggests that people who are happy in their relationships are more likely to communicate well with one another.

Recap

Communication is just one part of a good relationship. Research suggests that people who are happy in their relationships are more likely to communicate well with one another.

Signs of Great Communication in Relationships

So what do experts mean when they talk about “good communication?” Are you and your partner both on the same page or are there signs that might indicate a problem in how you relate to one another?

But it can also involve other ways of transmitting information including tone of voice,body language, and other forms ofnonverbal communication. In many cases, what you don’t say can mean just as much if not more than what you do say.

Some of the hallmarks of effective communication in relationships include:

RecapCommunicating well in relationships involves actively listening, avoiding judgments, and practicing kindness instead of trying to win the argument.

Communicating well in relationships involves actively listening, avoiding judgments, and practicing kindness instead of trying to win the argument.

Signs of Poor Communication in Relationships

It is also important to learn to recognize some of the more subtle signs of poor communication. This can include avoiding arguments for the sake of keeping the peace.

If you never disagree, it means that one of you is hiding what you really feel or think just to avoid a fight. This deprives you both of experiencing authentic, open, and honest discussions.

Withholding issues can be another common communication problem in relationships. Instead of having tough conversations with your partner, you might avoid the issue and then end up dumping all of your anger, irritation, worries, or problems on the other people in your life.

For example, when you don’t tell your partner you are upset, you might end up ranting to your friend about your frustrations. While this might provide you with an emotional outlet, it doesn’t do anything to resolve the problem. And it might result in passive-aggressive actions designed to “punish” your partner for not being able to read your mind.

RecapCriticisms, defensiveness, silence, and feeling misunderstood are just a few signs of communication problems in a relationship. And a lack of arguing isn’t necessarily a sign that you’re communicating well. Instead, it may mean you are holding back in order to avoid conflict.

Criticisms, defensiveness, silence, and feeling misunderstood are just a few signs of communication problems in a relationship. And a lack of arguing isn’t necessarily a sign that you’re communicating well. Instead, it may mean you are holding back in order to avoid conflict.

Double Standards: How to Identify and Avoid Them in Relationships

5 Ways to Improve Communication in Relationships

If you think that poor communication is having a negative impact on your relationship, there are strategies that can help you improve your connection.

Consider Your Attachment Style

Think about how your attachment style might affect your communication patterns.Attachment stylesare your characteristic patterns of behavior in relationships. Your early attachment style, which emerges in childhood based on relationships with caregivers, can continue to affect how you behave and respond in adult romantic relationships.

If you have aninsecure attachment style, you may be more likely to engage in communication patterns that can be seen as anxious or avoidant. Recognizing how your attachment style affects how you interact with your partner (and how your partner’s style affects how they interact with you) can give you clues into what you might need to work on.

RecapIf you or your partner have an insecure attachment style, it can have an impact on how you communicate and interact with your partner. Knowing your style and being aware of how it may manifest as anxious or avoidant behavior can help you find ways to overcome less effective communication patterns.

If you or your partner have an insecure attachment style, it can have an impact on how you communicate and interact with your partner. Knowing your style and being aware of how it may manifest as anxious or avoidant behavior can help you find ways to overcome less effective communication patterns.

Be Fully Present

In order to make sure that both of you are listening and understanding, minimize distractions and focus on being fully present when you are communicating. This might involve setting aside time each day to really focus on one another and talk about the events of the day and any concerns you may have.

Limiting your device useat certain times of day, such as during meals or at bedtime, can be a great way to focus on your partner without having your attention pulled in different directions.

Use “I” Statements

Sometimes the way that you talk to each other can play a major role in communication problems. If you are both focusing on arguing facts without talking about feelings, arguments can quickly turn into debates over who is “right” or who gets the last word.

Examples of “I” Statements"I" statements are focused on what you are feeling instead of your partner’s behavior. For example, instead of saying, “You are never on time,” you might say “I get worried when you don’t arrive on time.”

Examples of “I” Statements

“I” statements are focused on what you are feeling instead of your partner’s behavior. For example, instead of saying, “You are never on time,” you might say “I get worried when you don’t arrive on time.”

Using this type of statement can help conversations seem less accusatory or blaming and instead help you and your partner focus on the emotions behind some of the issues you are concerned about.

How to Break the Cycle of Blame in Your Relationship

Avoid Negative Communication Patterns

When you are tempted to engage in behavior like ignoring your partner, using passive-aggressive actions, or yelling, consider how your actions will negatively affect your relationship.

It isn’t always easy to change these patterns, since many of them formed in childhood, but becoming more aware of them can help you start to replace these destructive behaviors with healthier, more positive habits.

Here’s Why Arguing Over Text (aka ‘Fexting’) Hurts Your Relationship

Focus on Your Relationship

While good communication is important, research suggests that it is just one of many factors that impact the success, duration, and satisfaction in relationships.

In fact, research seems to suggest that your satisfaction with your relationship might predict how well you and your partner communicate.

The more satisfied people are in their relationship, the more likely they are to openly talk about their thoughts, feelings, concerns, and problems with one another.

RecapIf you want to improve your communication, focusing on improving your relationship overall can play an important role.

If you want to improve your communication, focusing on improving your relationship overall can play an important role.

How Nonviolent Communication Can Change Your Relationship

There are many steps you can take to improve the communication in your relationship on your own, but there may be times that you feel like professional help might be needed.Couples therapycan be a great way to address communication problems that might be holding your relationship back.

A therapist can help identify unhelpful communication patterns, develop new coping techniques, and practice talking to one another in more effective ways. They can also address any underlying resentments or other mental health issues that might be having a detrimental impact on your relationship.

Keep in Mind

Effective communication in a relationship allows people to tell other people what they need and to respond to what their partner needs. It allows people to feel understood, validated, and connected to another person.

Always remember that the goal of communicating is to understand one another. It isn’t about sweeping problems under the rug in order to prevent all conflict. Instead, focus on listening to understand and responding with empathy and care. If you and your partner are struggling with communication issues, consider talking to a therapist for advice and tips on how to cope.

60 “How Well Do You Know Me” Questions to Improve Your Relationships

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gottman J, Silver N.The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. New York, NY: Crown Publishers; 1999.Lavner JA, Karney BR, Bradbury TN.Does couples’ communication predict marital satisfaction, or does marital satisfaction predict communication?: couple communication and marital satisfaction.Journal of Marriage and Family. 2016;78(3):680-694. doi:10.1111/jomf.12301Johnson MD, Lavner JA, Mund M, et al.Within-couple associations between communication and relationship satisfaction over time.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2022;48(4):534-549. doi:10.1177/01461672211016920Selcuk E, Stanton SCE, Slatcher RB, Ong AD.Perceived partner responsiveness predicts better sleep quality through lower anxiety.Social Psychological and Personality Science. 2017;8(1):83-92. doi:10.1177/1948550616662128Rogers SL, Howieson J, Neame C.I understand you feel that way, but I feel this way: the benefits of I-language and communicating perspective during conflict.PeerJ. 2018;6:e4831. doi:10.7717/peerj.4831

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gottman J, Silver N.The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. New York, NY: Crown Publishers; 1999.Lavner JA, Karney BR, Bradbury TN.Does couples’ communication predict marital satisfaction, or does marital satisfaction predict communication?: couple communication and marital satisfaction.Journal of Marriage and Family. 2016;78(3):680-694. doi:10.1111/jomf.12301Johnson MD, Lavner JA, Mund M, et al.Within-couple associations between communication and relationship satisfaction over time.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2022;48(4):534-549. doi:10.1177/01461672211016920Selcuk E, Stanton SCE, Slatcher RB, Ong AD.Perceived partner responsiveness predicts better sleep quality through lower anxiety.Social Psychological and Personality Science. 2017;8(1):83-92. doi:10.1177/1948550616662128Rogers SL, Howieson J, Neame C.I understand you feel that way, but I feel this way: the benefits of I-language and communicating perspective during conflict.PeerJ. 2018;6:e4831. doi:10.7717/peerj.4831

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Gottman J, Silver N.The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. New York, NY: Crown Publishers; 1999.Lavner JA, Karney BR, Bradbury TN.Does couples’ communication predict marital satisfaction, or does marital satisfaction predict communication?: couple communication and marital satisfaction.Journal of Marriage and Family. 2016;78(3):680-694. doi:10.1111/jomf.12301Johnson MD, Lavner JA, Mund M, et al.Within-couple associations between communication and relationship satisfaction over time.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2022;48(4):534-549. doi:10.1177/01461672211016920Selcuk E, Stanton SCE, Slatcher RB, Ong AD.Perceived partner responsiveness predicts better sleep quality through lower anxiety.Social Psychological and Personality Science. 2017;8(1):83-92. doi:10.1177/1948550616662128Rogers SL, Howieson J, Neame C.I understand you feel that way, but I feel this way: the benefits of I-language and communicating perspective during conflict.PeerJ. 2018;6:e4831. doi:10.7717/peerj.4831

Gottman J, Silver N.The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. New York, NY: Crown Publishers; 1999.

Lavner JA, Karney BR, Bradbury TN.Does couples’ communication predict marital satisfaction, or does marital satisfaction predict communication?: couple communication and marital satisfaction.Journal of Marriage and Family. 2016;78(3):680-694. doi:10.1111/jomf.12301

Johnson MD, Lavner JA, Mund M, et al.Within-couple associations between communication and relationship satisfaction over time.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2022;48(4):534-549. doi:10.1177/01461672211016920

Selcuk E, Stanton SCE, Slatcher RB, Ong AD.Perceived partner responsiveness predicts better sleep quality through lower anxiety.Social Psychological and Personality Science. 2017;8(1):83-92. doi:10.1177/1948550616662128

Rogers SL, Howieson J, Neame C.I understand you feel that way, but I feel this way: the benefits of I-language and communicating perspective during conflict.PeerJ. 2018;6:e4831. doi:10.7717/peerj.4831

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