What is the role of repair attempts frequency in predicting success in Gottman therapy?

• A. Frequent and well-timed repair attempts predict success and can de-escalate negativity.
• B. Repair attempts are optional and have little impact on outcomes.
• C. Repair attempts worsen conflict when used during disputes.
• D. Repair attempts should be avoided to maintain safety.

Answer: (A)

Repair attempts are the quick, often simple moves couples use to repair a rupture and shift the interaction back toward safety and positive connection. In Gottman theory, how often partners invoke these attempts and how well the other person responds to them is a strong predictor of therapy success. When repair attempts are frequent and delivered at the right moment, they help de-escalate negativity before issues spiral out of control. They signal that the relationship matters enough to pause the argument, acknowledge distress, and reconnect, which strengthens trust and makes future disagreements easier to manage.

Timing matters: a repair attempt that comes early can stop a tension build-up in its tracks, whereas waiting too long may make the attempt feel ineffective or noisy. Over time, a pattern of reliable, well-timed repair fosters a climate where partners feel safer to disagree without fear of irreparable damage, which is central to positive therapy outcomes.

Meanwhile, treating repair attempts as optional, or believing they don’t affect results, contradicts what Gottman research shows about the healing power of repair. Likewise, viewing them as something that worsens conflict or should be avoided ignores the way repair, when genuine and timely, actually reduces negativity and supports progress.