A longitudinal study of the associations among adolescent conflict resolution styles, depressive symptoms, and romantic relationship longevity

Breakups are a normative and frequent part of the romantic experience. In this longitudinal study, we followed 144 adolescents (mean age = 16.57) for a period of 4 years and examined the extent to which level of depressive symptoms predicts the intensity of breakup distress during emerging adulthood and, further, the extent to which breakup distress reported during emerging adulthood is associated with the quality of a current romantic relationship. The findings suggest that higher levels of depressive symptoms during adolescence can lead to more difficulty in recovering from breakup in early emerging adulthood. In addition, experiencing greater breakup distress during emerging adulthood was associated with greater difficulty in handling a current romantic relationship. This association was, however, found only among women. The gender distinctive reaction to breakup distress among emerging adults is discussed.

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Better Battles by a Self-Compassionate Partner?

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000333 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Nancy Tandler ◽

Martin Krüger ◽

Lars-Eric Petersen

Keyword(s):

Conflict Resolution ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Relationship Satisfaction ◽

Life Events ◽

Romantic Relationship ◽

Romantic Partner ◽

Personality Factors ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Conflict Resolution Styles

Abstract. Self-compassion entails being kind towards oneself when encountering uncontrollable life events, inadequacies, or failure. When in conflict with a romantic partner, we expected self-compassion to be associated positively with functional (positive problem solving) and negatively with dysfunctional styles (conflict engagement, withdrawal, compliance). Adult individuals ( n = 163) involved in a serious romantic relationship for at least 2 years responded to a questionnaire that assessed self-compassion, personality factors, conflict resolution styles, and relationship satisfaction. High self-compassionate partners reported more functional and less dysfunctional styles when statistically controlling for demographics, neuroticism, and agreeableness. Conflict resolution styles fully mediated the significant path between self-compassion and relationship satisfaction.

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Who are “We”? Couple Identity Clarity and Romantic Relationship Commitment

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0146167220921717 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 146-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lydia F. Emery ◽

Wendi L. Gardner ◽

Kathleen L. Carswell ◽

Eli J. Finkel

Keyword(s):

Experimental Study ◽

Conflict Resolution ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Romantic Relationship ◽

Relationship Commitment ◽

Relationship Dissolution ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Couple Identity ◽

Cross Sectional Studies ◽

Agreement Study

This research introduces the construct of couple identity clarity—the extent to which an individual, as one of two partners in a romantic relationship, believes that the two of them know who they are as a couple. Cross-sectional (Studies 1–2), experimental (Study 3), and longitudinal (Study 4) studies supported the hypothesis that couple identity clarity is associated with higher commitment. Moreover, higher couple identity clarity, although related to actual agreement between partners on their identity as a couple, predicted commitment above and beyond agreement (Study 2)—as well as predicted reduced likelihood of relationship dissolution over a 9-month period (Study 4). Exploratory analyses revealed that successful conflict resolution may enhance couple identity clarity, in turn predicting commitment (Study 4). These studies highlight the importance of people’s understanding of who they are as a couple and how this understanding shapes relationship persistence.

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