Multigroup comparison test results.

Previous research has shown that difficulties in emotional expression may be linked to physical health symptoms, but few studies have explored this in the context of romantic relationship types. This study investigates the role of emotional suppression as a mediator between emotional ambivalence and somatic symptoms in long-distance (LDR) and geographically close relationships (GCR). A cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 442 adults currently in romantic relationships, including 215 in LDRs (M_age = 26.8 years; 179 females, 48 males) and 227 in GCRs (M_age = 31.3 years; 187 females, 28 males). Participants completed the Ambivalence Over the Expression of Emotion Questionnaire (AEQ), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), and the Long-Distance Romantic Relationship Index. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and multigroup analysis via SmartPLS. There was a significant correlation between negative emotional ambivalence and somatic symptoms in both relationship groups. However, the mediating role of emotional suppression in this relationship was not supported. Gender differences in emotional suppression showed contrasting patterns between LDRs and GCRs. Moreover, participants in LDRs reported significantly higher somatic symptoms compared to those in GCRs. These findings suggest that the link between emotional ambivalence and somatic symptoms may involve other contributing factors beyond emotional suppression. This research highlights the importance of considering relationship context and gender in understanding how emotional experiences affect physical health.

过往研究显示，情绪表达障碍或与躯体健康症状存在关联，但鲜有研究结合浪漫关系类型的情境对此展开探讨。本研究旨在探究情绪压抑在远程恋爱关系（Long-Distance Romantic Relationship, LDR）与地理亲近型恋爱关系（Geographically Close Relationship, GCR）中，作为情绪矛盾性与躯体症状间中介变量的作用。本研究采用横断面研究设计，招募442名当前处于恋爱关系中的成年人作为便利样本，其中215名隶属于远程恋爱关系群体（平均年龄M_age=26.8岁；女性179人，男性48人），227名隶属于地理亲近型恋爱关系群体（平均年龄M_age=31.3岁；女性187人，男性28人）。参与者完成了《情绪表达矛盾性问卷（Ambivalence Over the Expression of Emotion Questionnaire, AEQ）》、《情绪调节问卷（Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, ERQ）》、《患者健康问卷-15（Patient Health Questionnaire-15, PHQ-15）》以及《远程恋爱关系指数》。研究采用结构方程模型（Structural Equation Modeling, SEM）结合SmartPLS软件进行多群组分析以处理数据。两类恋爱关系群体中，负性情绪矛盾性与躯体症状均呈现显著相关。但情绪压抑在该关联中的中介作用并未得到实证支持。情绪压抑的性别差异在远程恋爱关系与地理亲近型恋爱关系中呈现出截然相反的模式。此外，远程恋爱关系群体的参与者报告的躯体症状水平显著高于地理亲近型恋爱关系群体。上述研究结果表明，情绪矛盾性与躯体症状之间的关联，可能涉及情绪压抑之外的其他影响因素。本研究强调，在解析情绪体验如何影响躯体健康时，纳入恋爱关系情境与性别因素具有重要意义。