Final answer:
The studies by Coan et al., 2006 and Coyne et al., 2001 explore the relationship between marital quality and mortality rates. Coan et al. found that hand holding during a stressful situation can reduce threat processing in the brain. Coyne et al. found that high levels of marital conflict are associated with higher mortality rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main findings of the studies by Coan et al., 2006 and Coyne et al., 2001 focus on the association between the quality of marital relationships and mortality rates. Coan et al., 2006 found that holding the hand of a loved one during a threat-induced stressor reduced the activation of brain regions associated with threat processing, suggesting that hand holding can be a comforting and supportive gesture that helps individuals cope with stress. Coyne et al., 2001 examined the impact of marital quality on mortality rates and found that individuals in marriages characterized by high levels of conflict had higher mortality rates compared to those in marriages characterized by better relationship quality.