Fleeting signs of the course of life: Facial expression and personal adjustment

Ln this article, we consider whether facial expressions of emotion relate i n theoretically interesting ways to personal adjustment. We first consider the conceptual benefits of this line of inquiry. Then, to anticipate why br ief samples of emotional behavior should relate to personal adjustment, we review evidence indicating that facial expressions of emotion correspond to intrapersonal processes and social outcomes. We then review studies showin g that facial expressions relate in theoretically significant ways to adjus tment after the death of a spouse, in long-term relationships, and in the c ontext of chronic psychological disorders.