Do you and your partner love to gossip about other people? Well, you’re probably happier and more bonded than couples who don’t gossip. At least that’s according to a new study from the University of California – Riverside. Study participants gossiped for an average of 38 minutes per day – with 29 of those minutes spent gossiping with their significant other. And it seems gossiping after a social event really made couples feel more connected, reinforcing the idea that they’re “on the same team.”
“Negatively gossiping with one’s romantic partner on the way home from a party could signal that the couple’s bond is stronger than with their friends at the party, while positively gossiping could prolong the fun experiences,” the study authors wrote.
While all the couples who gossiped reported high levels of happiness and relationship satisfaction, same-sex couples, particularly lesbian couples, had even higher levels of well-being.