Showing papers in "Personal Relationships in 2011"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the effects of social network size, emotional closeness, and type of relationship (kinship vs friendship) on communication patterns in the social networks of 251 women.
Abstract: Communication is important in preventing social relationships from decaying over time This study examined the effects of social network size, emotional closeness, and type of relationship (kinship vs friendship) on communication patterns in the social networks of 251 women Participants with large kin networks had longer times to last contact to both kin and friends Participants with high levels of emotional closeness in their networks had shorter times to last contact The effect of emotional closeness on time to last contact was greater for kin than for friends These results demonstrate that time to last contact is closely tied to emotional closeness and suggest that the costs of maintaining kin relationships are lower than the costs of maintaining friendships
224 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assessed how sexual media use by one or both members of a romantic dyad relates to relationship and sexual satisfaction, and found that a higher frequency of men's sexual media usage related to negative satisfaction in men, while a high frequency of women's use related to positive satisfaction in male partners.
Abstract: This study assessed how sexual media use by one or both members of a romantic dyad relates to relationship and sexual satisfaction. A total of 217 heterosexual couples completed an Internet survey that assessed sexual media use, relationship and sexual satisfaction, and demographic variables. Results revealed that a higher frequency of men’s sexual media use related to negative satisfaction in men, while a higher frequency of women’s sexual media use related to positive satisfaction in male partners. Reasons for sexual media use differed by gender: Men reported primarily using sexual media for masturbation, while women reported primarily using sexual media as part of lovemaking with their partners. Shared sexual media use was associated with higher relational satisfaction compared to solitary sexual media use.
179 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted a qualitative investigation and found that participants were significantly more likely to use competitor derogation than any other strategy and no sex difference in their frequency of application was found.
Abstract: Research on intrasexual competition for mates focused on the strategies of self-promotion and competitor derogation. Although these strategies describe many competitive behaviors, it was predicted that they do not describe all possible strategies. In Study 1, a qualitative investigation, participants reported how they compete with same-sex rivals for mates. This led to the discovery of the strategies of competitor manipulation and mate manipulation. All 4 strategies were compared and no sex difference in their frequency of application was found. In Study 2, a quantitative survey using the 4 strategies was created. There was no sex difference in strategy use, but those involved in a romantic relationship were significantly more likely to use competitor derogation than any other strategy. A scan of the literature on intrasexual competition indicates that it is typically depicted as the complement to mate choice (e.g., Buss, 1988). People are thought to compete with same-sex others for access to mates using the traits or abilities for which the opposite sex expresses a preference. The coupling of competition with mate preference is inherent in Darwin’s (1871) theory of sexual selection; characteristics evolve to enable an individual to gain an advantage over same-sex competitors in order to successfully reproduce. Therefore, the traits providing the highest probability of competitive success are the most preferred by the opposite sex (see also Andersson, 1994). Using this perspective, one could predict, for example, that because men highly value women’s attractiveness (e.g., Buss, 1989), women should compete intrasexually in terms of their attractiveness, and indeed they appear to do so (Fisher, 2004).
142 citations
TL;DR: For instance, the authors found that participants' social reactions to the targeted relationship were associated with the likelihood that they engaged in behaviors to try to influence the relationship, and those who reported more influence attempts also reported that they had a greater effect on the relationship.
Abstract: Past research indicates that social network support is linked to relationship development and continuation. This study fills a gap in the literature by examining social network influence from the perspective of network members. University students completed a survey about a relationship in their network of which they had a strong reaction, either positive or negative. Participants' social reactions to the targeted relationship were associated with the likelihood that they engaged in behaviors to try to influence the relationship. About two thirds of the participants believed that their behaviors had an influence on the outcome of the relationship, and those who reported more influence attempts also reported that they had a greater effect on the relationship. The findings help paint a picture of social network reactions, perceptions, and influence directed toward relationships, from the perspective of the social network.
79 citations
TL;DR: In this article, structural equation modeling was used to find that a positive attitude toward divorce was associated with lower commitment to their romantic relationship, which in turn affected its dissolution, and that young adults' perception of parental divorce varied depending on interparental conflict and parents' marital quality before the divorce.
Abstract: It was proposed that parental divorce does not have a uniform effect on young adults' romantic relationships and that differential outcomes depend on how young adults perceive their parents' divorce. Using a sample of 571 young adults, structural equation modeling suggested that, compared with those from intact families, young adults whose parents divorced held a more favorable attitude toward divorce. A positive attitude toward divorce was associated with lower commitment to their romantic relationship, which in turn affected its dissolution. More importantly, young adults' perception of parental divorce varied depending on interparental conflict and parents' marital quality before the divorce. The variation in the perception of interparental divorce was linked to relationship dissolution via attitude toward divorce and relationship commitment.
76 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the mechanisms underlying the relationship between trust and health in a 5-wave longitudinal data set and found that trust was positively related to physical health: participants report fewer health problems when they trust their partner more, replicating earlier findings.
Abstract: The positive effects of trust are manifold. Recent research has shown that trust levels may even influence physical health. The current work explores this issue and aims to shed light on the mechanisms underlying the relationship between trust and health in a 5-wave longitudinal data set. Results showed that trust was positively related to physical health: Participants report fewer health problems when they trust their partner more, replicating earlier findings. More importantly, symptoms of anxiety and depression mediate the effect of trust on self-reported health. Finally, results of residual lagged analyses show that earlier levels of trust predict later symptoms of anxiety and depression symptoms, in turn predicting changes in physical health symptoms over time.
70 citations
TL;DR: This paper examined young adults' experiences with relational aggression among friends and romantic partners and found that relational aggression occurs more frequently among romantic partners than among friends, while rumination predicted relational aggression in the romantic context but not in the friendship context.
Abstract: This study examines young adults' experiences with relational aggression among friends and romantic partners. Results suggest that relational aggression occurs more frequently among romantic partners than among friends. A gender difference in relational aggression emerged in the romantic context (females were more aggressive), but no gender difference was found in the friendship context. Relationship exclusivity and normative beliefs about relational aggression predicted aggressive behavior across contexts, while rumination predicted relational aggression in the romantic context but not in the friendship context. Implications of these findings, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.
60 citations
TL;DR: For example, the authors found strong associations among forgiveness, attachment, and health, as well as negative direct and indirect associations between attachment and health problems through unforgiveness in a close relationship.
Abstract: Attachment was examined for its association to forgiveness and health. Young adults were interviewed about a time of conflict with a parent; during rest and interview periods, readings of blood pressure and heart rate were taken. Participants completed surveys of forgiveness, attachment, relationship commitment, parental intrusiveness, and health. Analyses revealed strong associations among forgiveness, attachment, and health. Structural equation modeling indicated a strong, negative direct association between forgiveness and health problems, as well as an indirect association between attachment and health problems through forgiveness. Forgiveness groups differed on heart rate and systolic blood pressure. Psychological tension, created by unforgiveness in a close relationship, may lead to physiological indices of unease, as well as self-reports of physical symptoms, loneliness, and stress.
59 citations
TL;DR: Two observational studies were conducted to evaluate the association between relational uncertainty and salivary cortisol in the context of hurtful and supportive interactions, and revealed that relational uncertainty dampened cortisol reactions to performing poorly on tasks while the partner observed.
Abstract: This paper evaluates theoretical claims linking relational uncertainty about a relationship partner to experiences of stress during interactions with that partner. Two observational studies were conducted to evaluate the association between relational uncertainty and salivary cortisol in the context of hurtful and supportive interactions. In Study 1, participants (N = 89) engaged in a conversation about core traits or values with a partner, who was trained to be hurtful. In Study 2, participants (N = 89) received supportive messages after completing a series of stressful tasks and receiving negative performance feedback. As predicted, partner uncertainty was associated with greater cortisol reactivity to the hurtful interaction in Study 1. Contrary to expectations, Study 1 results also indicated that self uncertainty was associated with less cortisol reactivity, when self, partner, and relationship uncertainty were tested in the same model. Study 2 revealed that relational uncertainty dampened cortisol reactions to performing poorly on tasks while the partner observed. As predicted, Study 2 also found that partner uncertainty was associated with less cortisol recovery after the supportive interaction, but neither self nor relationship uncertainty was associated with rate of cortisol change during the recovery period.
49 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the associations between naturally occurring couple conflict (assessed with end-of-day diaries) and next-morning ratings of negative affect, sleep disruptions, and awakening cortisol response were tested.
Abstract: In 39 individuals in cohabiting relationships, the associations between naturally occurring couple conflict (assessed with end-of-day diaries) and next-morning ratings of negative affect, sleep disruptions, and awakening cortisol response were tested. Low-avoidant individuals showed heightened negative affect the morning after heightened quarreling. Yet high-avoidant individuals reported lower negative affect the morning after heightened quarreling. Greater quarreling was associated with more subsequent sleep disruptions overall, but this association was significantly stronger among individuals with high attachment anxiety and significantly weaker among individuals with high attachment avoidance. Finally, quarreling was associated with a significantly dampened cortisol awakening response in high-anxious women. The results have implications for understanding the distinct biopsychological pathways through which routine relationship experiences influence health-related physical and mental functioning.
47 citations
TL;DR: According to the attraction-similarity model, relationship quality leads to perceptions of partner-self similarity, which then provide psychological benefits for the perceiver as mentioned in this paper. But, as stated by the authors, "relationship quality and perceived similarity do not necessarily predict psychological benefits."
Abstract: According to the attraction–similarity model, relationship quality leads to perceptions of partner–self similarity. Relationship quality and perceived similarity then provide psychological benefits for the perceiver. Across 3 studies, relationship quality positively predicted perceptions of similarity. Study 1 indicated that for moderate, but not low, relationship-relevant traits, individuals projected the self onto the dating partner as a way of perceiving similarities. In Study 2, priming high, as opposed to low, relationship quality led to greater perceived similarity on the moderately relevant traits. Study 3 indicated greater perceived similarity between self and dating partner than between self and average same-gender student on the moderately relevant traits. Relationship quality and perceived similarity with the dating partner on the moderately relevant traits also predicted psychological benefits.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated perceptions of spousal social control and the partners' behavior, affect, and relationship satisfaction at the start of a weight loss attempt, and found that spouses can contribute to partners' weight loss attempts with influence strategies, but considering weight status may determine which strategies are the most beneficial.
Abstract: We investigated perceptions of spousal social control and the partners’ behavior, affect, and relationship satisfaction at the start of a weight loss attempt. Gender and body mass index (BMI) were explored as moderators. In order to examine the short-term effects of social control, participants completed daily assessments reporting spouses’ influence and their own behavior and well-being. Instrumental and reinforcing social control were associated with better health behavior, well-being, and relationship satisfaction, but showed no impact over time. Monitoring control was inconsistently associated with health behavior and well-being. BMI moderated some of the relations between social control strategies, health behavior, and well-being. Findings suggest spouses can contribute to partners’ weight loss attempts with influence strategies, but considering weight status may determine which strategies are the most beneficial.
TL;DR: For instance, this article examined the effects of actor and partner attachment security on cortisol responses to discussions of personal and relationship concerns with a romantic partner. And they found that higher levels of actor anxiety predicted greater reactivity to the relationship concern discussion.
Abstract: This study examines the effects of actor and partner attachment security on cortisol responses to discussions of personal and relationship concerns with a romantic partner. Dating couples (N = 30) completed two 20-min discussions and provided saliva samples at 4 time points before and after. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that among women, higher levels of partner avoidance predicted greater cortisol reactivity to both discussions and among men, higher levels of actor anxiety predicted greater reactivity to the relationship concern discussion. These findings extend previous work by demonstrating that the effects of attachment on physiology vary by gender and by discussion context, which informs our understanding of how individual differences in attachment moderate the effects of romantic relationships on health. The quality of close relationships has a powerful influence on physical health. Individuals in less distressed, higher quality marriages are in better health (Burman & Maroglin, 1992) and experience smaller declines in health as they age (Umberson, Williams, Powers, Liu, & Needham, 2006) than individuals in low-quality marriages. One pathway by which relationship quality may ultimately affect health involves activity in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and production of the hormone cortisol. Short-term
TL;DR: A deeper understanding of the association between marital dissolution and health is provided and verbal immediacy may be a useful behavioral index of hyperactivating coping strategies is suggested.
Abstract: Marital separation and divorce increase risk for all-cause morbidity and mortality. Using a laboratory analog paradigm, this study examined attachment anxiety, language use, and blood pressure (BP) reactivity among 119 (n = 43 men, 76 women) recently separated adults who were asked to mentally reflect on their relationship history and separation experience. A language use composite of verbal immediacy from participants’ stream-of-consciousness recordings about their separation experience as a behavioral index of attachment-related hyperactivation was created. Verbal immediacy moderated the association between attachment anxiety and BP at the beginning of a divorce-specific activation task. Participants reporting high attachment anxiety who discussed their separation in a first-person, present-oriented, and highly engaged manner evidenced the highest levels of BP at the start of the divorce-specific task. Results provide a deeper understanding of the association between marital dissolution and health and suggest that verbal immediacy may be a useful behavioral index of hyperactivating coping strategies.
TL;DR: For example, this paper found that women with higher attachment anxiety predicted lower pain thresholds, greater subjective pain, and greater catastrophizing, and higher avoidance was associated with longer pain tolerances and, unexpectedly, lower physiological arousal.
Abstract: Prior research has linked attachment anxiety to heightened perceptions of chronic pain. However, few studies have examined attachment and acute pain, and none of these to our knowledge have included partner attachment effects in a dyadic context. Sixty-five healthy undergraduate women to an ischemic pain task in the presence of their romantic partners were exposed. As expected, women’s higher attachment anxiety predicted lower pain thresholds, greater subjective pain, and greater catastrophizing. Higher avoidance was associated with longer pain tolerances and, unexpectedly, lower physiological arousal. More avoidant and more anxious women responded negatively to pain when accompanied by a high anxiety romantic partner. Implications exist for attachment insecurity and hyperactivating emotion regulation strategies as vulnerability factors in coping with pain.
TL;DR: In this paper, a series of actor-partner interdependence models of coparental communication, relational satisfaction, and mental health in stepfamilies were tested, with 127 couples (N = 254).
Abstract: This study tested a series of actor–partner interdependence models of coparental communication, relational satisfaction, and mental health in stepfamilies. Participants included 127 couples (N = 254). Results revealed 2 actor-oriented models whereby parents' and stepparents' coparental communication quality positively predicted their own (but not their partners') satisfaction and mental health. A final model revealed that parents' relational satisfaction mediated the effect of coparental communication on their own mental health. A similar pattern emerged for stepparents, although coparental communication continued to have a direct, positive effect on stepparents' mental health. Importantly, parents' coparental communication produced an inverse partner effect on stepparents' mental health, highlighting the potential stress stepparents may experience as they are called upon to help raise their spouse's offspring.
TL;DR: Results suggest that growth beliefs are shaped by goals - own and others', and that partners' compassionate goals predicted actors' increased growth belief.
Abstract: The belief that difficulties can lead to growth in relationships, or growth belief, has consequences for relationships (e.g., Knee, 1998). But what predicts change in this belief? We hypothesized that compassionate goals to support others (Crocker & Canevello, 2008) predict increased growth belief through increased need satisfaction. In Study 1, 199 college freshmen reported their friendship growth belief and goals. In Study 2, 65 roommate pairs reported their roommate growth belief, goals, and need satisfaction. Across studies, compassionate goals predicted increased growth belief. In Study 2, goals predicted increased perceived mutual need satisfaction, which predicted increased growth belief. Additionally, partners' compassionate goals predicted actors' increased growth belief. Results suggest that growth beliefs are shaped by goals - own and others'.
TL;DR: Based on a dyadic version of R D Conger and colleagues' stress model, this paper examined whether the demand/withdraw pattern in couples' communication mediates the association between partners' economic strain and their level of relationship distress.
Abstract: Based on a dyadic version of R D Conger and colleagues' stress model, this study examined whether the demand/withdraw pattern in couples' communication mediates the association between partners' economic strain and their level of relationship distress Data were from self-report questionnaires completed by 144 heterosexual couples seeking psychotherapy at a community clinic in Argentina 3 years after a major national economic crisis As hypothesized, results from a path model analysis suggested that (a) regardless of provider role, females tended to experience more economic strain than males did; (b) the female-demand/male-withdraw pattern, but not the male-demand/female-withdraw pattern, mediated the positive association between economic strain and relationship distress; and (c) both partners' levels of relationship distress were affected by both patterns of demand/withdraw communication Gender differences are discussed based on the gender role expectations in Argentina and the stress coping and demand/withdraw communication literatures Study limitations and implications of the findings for research, programmatic approaches, and therapeutic interventions for couples under economic stress are considered This study makes important contributions to our understanding of gender differences and the role of demand/withdraw communication in couples' responses to economic strain
TL;DR: In this article, a dyadic-level analysis of attachment-related anxiety and avoidance in Spanish couples was performed using the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM).
Abstract: Several attachment-related phenomena in Spanish couples using dyadic-level analyses were examined. A sample of 295 heterosexual couples completed measures of attachment-related anxiety and avoidance, self-esteem, social self-efficacy, and relationship satisfaction. Results, analyzed from a dyadic perspective using the actor‐partner interdependence model (APIM), indicate that (a) there are actor but no partner effects of attachment insecurities on intrapersonal variables such as self-esteem and social self-efficacy, (b) there are actor and partner effects of avoidant attachment on relationship satisfaction, and (c) actor anxiety is associated with partner avoidance, and actor avoidance is associated with partner anxiety. Overall, the results reveal the importance of a dyadic perspective on couple members’ attachment insecurities and their associations with intrapersonal and interpersonal processes and relationship adjustment. They also show that attachment variables and correlates studied mainly in English-speaking countries are useful in understanding Spanish couple dynamics.
TL;DR: For instance, Mikulincer et al. as mentioned in this paper found that sexual behavior elicits considerable emotional and attitudinal ambivalence: it offers one of the greatest physical and emotional pleasures, but yet it is also associated with guilt, anxiety, and cultural norms and restrictions.
Abstract: Four studies examined the impact of mortality salience (MS) on sexual motivation. In Studies 1–3, participants were primed with death-related thoughts and then rated their desire to engage in sex in different contexts. Study 4 included an assessment of reasons for engaging in sex. Results showed that MS increased the desire for romantic sex, regardless of gender, and the desire for casual sex among more avoidant men. Sexual desire was fueled by distinct patterns of motives among highly anxious and avoidant people. These findings suggest that the variety of meanings sexual behavior has for different people may explain why, in some cases, sexual behavior may function as a defense against mortality concerns, whereas in other cases, it may exacerbate threat. Sexual behavior elicits considerable emotional and attitudinal ambivalence: It offers one of the greatest physical and emotional pleasures, but yet it is also associated with guilt, anxiety, and cultural norms and restrictions. On the basis of terror management theory (TMT), Goldenberg, Pyszczynski, McCoy, Greenberg, and Solomon (1999) suggested that sex poses a problem for humans because it reminds them of their animalistic nature and consequently of their finitude. This line of research has found that brief, unobtrusive reminders of personal mortality decrease the appeal of the physical aspects of sexual behavior. However, research also indicates that reminders of death increase the sense of commitment and closeness to a significant other (Mikulincer, Florian, & Hirschberger, 2003). From this perspective, priming
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined why romantic partners engage in intrusive behavior among newlywed couples in the Netherlands and found that perceiving a lack of partner disclosure is linked to intrusive behavior, and importantly, that trust moderates this link.
Abstract: Existing research shows that intrusive behavior has detrimental consequences for relationships. Surprisingly, little is known about why close relationship partners snoop. This study examined why romantic partners engage in intrusive behavior among newlywed couples in the Netherlands. As predicted, the results showed that perceiving a lack of partner disclosure is linked to intrusive behavior, and importantly, that trust moderates this link. Only when people did not trust their partner were their perceptions of partners' low disclosure associated with intrusive behavior. When people trusted their partner, perceived partner disclosure was not associated with intrusive behavior. These results help to explain why people snoop and highlight the importance of trust as a powerful protective buffer against intrusive behavior in close relationships. © 2010 IARR.
TL;DR: This article examined the normative temporal sequence of the coping process and whether stressor severity or adult attachment styles moderated that sequence and found that support from partner was one of the first coping techniques used.
Abstract: This study examined the normative temporal sequence of the coping process and whether stressor severity or adult attachment styles moderated that sequence. Participants (N = 75) described a minor or a major stressor. They were given a stack of index cards, representing coping strategies from five different domains. They selected strategies they had employed and sorted them into the order used. Overall, support from partner was one of the first coping techniques used. Adult attachment styles moderated the coping sequence. For major stressors, dismissing attachment predicted later use of support seeking from partner and earlier use of distancing coping, while preoccupied attachment predicted earlier use of emotion-focused coping.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the relationship between self and coparent worries on perinatal well-being and relationship satisfaction in 104 primiparous couples and found that coparents worry did not significantly relate to their partner's per-inatal wellbeing or relationship satisfaction.
Abstract: Although much has been written about the impact of pregnancy on expectant parents, less is known about the worries couples experience during pregnancy. Sex differences in worries and the link between self and coparent worries on perinatal well-being and relationship satisfaction in 104 primiparous couples were examined. It was found not only do expectant mothers and fathers worry about different things, but also type of worry is related to different outcomes. Moreover, using structural equation modeling, childbirth worries and worry frequency indirectly predict lower relationship satisfaction through worse well-being. However, coparent’s worries did not significantly relate to their partner’s perinatal well-being or relationship satisfaction. This study suggests the importance of examining perinatal worries in parents, as well as the dyadic interaction between coparents.
TL;DR: For instance, this article found that disorganized children decreased in experiential connectedness during loss discussions and used more words related to death during non-loss sections of the interview.
Abstract: Attachment classification derived from narrative analysis is widely used as a marker of psychological organization. In contrast to this top-down approach, bottom-up, word count–based analyses of narratives are also used to measure psychological states. The current study integrates these 2 approaches by examining their overlap in 93 school-aged children. Participants completed the Child Attachment Interview; transcriptions of this interview were subjected to word count–based linguistic analysis. Compared with secure children, dismissing children showed less and preoccupied children showed more signs of experiential connectedness. Disorganized children decreased in experiential connectedness during loss discussions and used more words related to death during nonloss sections of the interview. Results are discussed in terms of their relevance to attachment and relationship research. The internal working model of attachment (IWM; Bowlby, 1980), a person’s characteristic relationship schema that develops from interactions with primary caregivers, is widely studied as a factor underlying relational and mental health (Bakermans-Kranenburg & van IJzendoorn, 2009). The field of attachment has a long history of assessing the IWM via narrative discourse. Among adults, IWMs are typically studied using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI; George, Kaplan, & Main, 1996), and a large body of evidence suggests that coding patterns of discourse yield
TL;DR: In this article, a self-report study examined parental conflict, divorce, and social outcomes of Latino-American young adults, concluding that conflict was associated with poorer parent-adult child relationships, divorce was associated to poorer father-adult adult child relationships and higher quality mother-adult children relationships, and quality of relationships with parents was positively related to perceived social support.
Abstract: Based on research documenting the harmful consequences of parental conflict and divorce, this self-report study examined parental conflict, divorce, and social outcomes of Latino-American young adults. Undergraduate students (N = 431) from divorced and intact families completed measures of parental conflict, quality of parent–adult child relationships, and perceptions of social support. As hypothesized, conflict was associated with poorer parent–adult child relationships, divorce was associated with poorer father–adult child relationships and higher quality mother–adult child relationships, and quality of relationships with parents was positively related to perceived social support. Contrary to expectations, perceptions of social support were not related to parental conflict. Results are discussed in terms of features of Latino families, including extended family networks as important sources of social support.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated several structural equation models testing the relations between forgiveness communication styles, offense and offender variables, and relational characteristics, and found that partners' style of forgiveness (i.e., direct, indirect, and conditional) is shaped by offender and offender variable.
Abstract: This study evaluated several structural equation models testing the relations between forgiveness communication styles, offense and offender variables, and relational characteristics. Results suggest partners' style of forgiveness (i.e., direct, indirect, and conditional) is shaped by offense and offender variables. Specifically, offender remorse positively predicted both direct and conditional forgiveness, offense severity negatively predicted indirect forgiveness, and blameworthiness positively predicted conditional forgiveness. Results also demonstrated that whereas direct forgiving following transgressions improved relationships (i.e., decreased relational damage and increased satisfaction), conditional forgiving detracted from relationships (i.e., increased relational damage). Indirect forgiveness, in contrast to the other styles, was unrelated to relational damage. These and other findings are discussed in light of research/theorizing on interpersonal forgiveness, relational maintenance, facework, and communication accommodation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the association of childhood trauma with perceptions of self and the partner was explored using a large sample of more than 5,400 couples who completed the RELATE inventory, couples in which neither partner experienced childhood physical abuse were compared on personality and communication scales with couples where only the female experienced abuse, only the male experienced abuse and both partners experienced abuse.
Abstract: In this study, the association of childhood trauma with perceptions of self and the partner was explored Using a large sample of more than 5,400 couples who completed the RELATE inventory, couples in which neither partner experienced childhood physical abuse were compared on personality and communication scales with couples where only the female experienced abuse, only the male experienced abuse, and both partners experienced abuse The primary question of interest was to evaluate whether childhood trauma was associated with selection effects of romantic partners, perceptual effects of partners, or reciprocal negativity with partners The evidence from the analysis of variance and path analysis indicates that trauma is more likely to be associated with perceptual effects than selection effects Individuals who were traumatized rated both themselves and their partners as more neurotic and conflictual, even when controlling for overall levels of relationship satisfaction However, the partners of traumatized persons do not consider themselves more neurotic or conflictual than partners in relationships where neither partner was abused
TL;DR: The present behavioral systems theory conceptualization of mental representations is relatively similar to attachment theory’s conceptualizations of such representations, which incorporates representations regarding affiliation, caretaking, and sexuality, as well as attachment.
Abstract: One of Bowlby’s (1969) important ideas was that individuals develop mental representations of their relationships with others. Such representations guide their behavior with others and serve as a basis for predicting and interpreting others’ behavior. The purpose of the present study was to examine how such representations of romantic relationships are related to genital, light and heavy nongenital, and risky sexual behavior in adolescence.
Based on behavioral systems theory (Furman & Wehner, 1994), we conceptualized such representations of romantic relationships as expectations regarding intimacy and closeness with respect to the attachment, affiliative, caregiving and sexual/reproductive systems in romantic relationships (Furman & Simon, 1999). This conceptualization resembles attachment theorists’ conceptualization of attachment-related mental representations (see Mikulincer & Shaver, 2008), but incorporates representations regarding affiliation, caretaking, and sexuality, as well as attachment. Representations of these other behavioral systems were incorporated as each of the different behavioral systems are central in romantic relationships (Furman & Wehner, 1994; Hazan & Shaver, 1988); thus, we anticipated that romantic representations would incorporate experiences and interactions relevant to all behavioral systems and not solely the attachment system.
Similar to attachment theorists, we characterize individual differences in mental representations in terms of the continuous dimensions of avoidance and anxiety with regard to romantic relationships. Those who are avoidant in romantic relationships are not comfortable with intimacy and prefer self-reliance; thus, they are unlikely to turn to their partners, don’t like being turned to, are not very invested in a relationship, and see sexuality as an opportunity for self-gratification. Those who are anxious regarding romantic relationships may worry about rejection and be overly dependent on others for support and esteem; they may find it difficult to feel comforted by a partner when distressed, be overly concerned about a partner's sexual satisfaction or problems (i.e., compulsive caretaking) and overly invest in relationships in a self-sacrificing manner.
As can be seen, the present behavioral systems theory conceptualization of mental representations is relatively similar to attachment theory’s conceptualizations of such representations. In fact, the differences in conceptualization are not particularly pertinent to the present study. We believe that the two theories would use similar theoretical arguments and make the same predictions regarding the links with sexual behavior that are examined here. Moreover, attachment researchers conducted most of the relevant research examining the links between representations and sexual behavior in adults.
Abstract: This study proposed several hypotheses predicting a deficit in the ability of alexithymic individuals to present themselves as attractive to a relational partner during an initial interaction. Both alexithymic and nonalexithymic individuals participated in a 10-min interpersonal exercise with a stranger of the opposite gender. Relational partners were more attracted to nonalexithymics than alexithymics. Partners perceived higher levels of several relational messages from nonalexithymics than alexithymics and lower levels of formality and dominance. Finally, the relational message of intimacy fully mediated the relationship between group membership (alexithymic or nonalexithymic) and social attraction. The authors suggest several implications and directions for future research, such as the need to include psychological traits in theoretical examinations of communication competence.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the influence of perceived justice and conflict on the psychological adjustment of 103 expatriate couples and found that personal conflict negatively affected both parties' psychological adjustment and acted as a mediator in the relationship between distributive justice and psychological adjustment.
Abstract: Framing expatriation as family relocation, this research examines the influence of perceived justice and conflict on the psychological adjustment of 103 expatriate couples. Based on the actor–partner interdependence model, the proposed model simultaneously addresses effects of justice and conflict on own and partner's outcomes. Supporting the current model, and based on the self-interest model, distributive justice influenced work-related task conflict among expatriates and household-related task conflict among expatriate spouses. Among expatriate spouses, and in line with the group-value model, fairness perceptions regarding interpersonal treatment influenced both parties' personal conflict. Unanticipated, both parties' distributive justice also influenced personal conflict. Personal conflict negatively affected both parties' psychological adjustment and acted as a mediator in the relationship between distributive justice and psychological adjustment