Psychologist Margarita Tarragona has outlined a simple rule for couples seeking to build long and strong relationships, advising partners to offset every single negative interaction with at least five positive ones, in comments reported by Spanish publication 20minutos.
Tarragona explained that maintaining a basic one-to-one balance between positive and negative moments is insufficient for long-term relationship stability. Instead, couples must maintain a ratio of at least five positive interactions for every negative exchange.
The psychologist emphasized that partners do not need to rely on grand gestures to achieve this balance. Small everyday details and minor acts of attentiveness are sufficient to keep a relationship strong over time.
Specific behaviors that shape relationship balance
According to Tarragona, negative interactions within a partnership include criticism, contempt, ignoring one another, and adopting a defensive posture during conflicts.
To counteract these harmful dynamics, she identified expressions of affection, humor, and physical contact as key positive interactions that reinforce mutual emotional bonds.
The psychology of interaction ratios in relationships
The concept of a five-to-one ratio in couples therapy stems from longstanding psychological research into marital stability and conflict resolution. Observational studies have shown that stable and satisfied couples maintain at least five constructive or affectionate gestures for every negative remark during moments of tension.
Positive psychology focuses on daily habits and micro-interactions that foster well-being and relational resilience. Psychologists note that negative experiences often carry a heavier emotional weight than positive ones, making a surplus of warmth, active listening, and appreciation essential to repairing minor frictions.
Spanish news outlet 20minutos, a Madrid-based digital newspaper covering health, lifestyle, and social trends, reported Tarragona's advice as part of broader coverage on maintaining relationship health.
Warning signs of emotional distance between partners
Separately, psychologist Evgenia Bereza highlighted an unobvious sign of emotional loneliness within a relationship. Bereza warned that an absence of trusting conversations serves as an alarming sign that emotional connection is deteriorating between partners.
Emotional loneliness refers to a state where an individual feels disconnected or isolated despite being in a committed partnership or living together. Relationship specialists emphasize that consistent, open communication is vital for maintaining intimacy and preventing partners from becoming emotionally estranged.
