ABSTRACT
Caring relates to things couples do to express love and maintain a connection to one another. The chapter begins by discussing the importance of caring in relationships, and how caring and conflict can impact each other. The next section emphasizes the importance of couples learning their partner’s preferred way of receiving caring based on the 5 Love Languages. Caring is also expressed through providing emotional support, which can include offering the gift of understanding or the gift of advice. The final section is devoted to assessing how couples build and maintain connection. For example, the ability to respond to emotional bids is examined, as well as the role of meta-emotions in responding to these bids. A couple’s ability to engage in mutually rewarding activities together is also explored, as well as the importance of having rituals that promote connection.
