BACKGROUND
Interpersonal perception (IP) is defined as the reciprocal perceptions between two individuals and the degree of congruence between these perceptions. People in coupled relationships should develop accurate and prescient beliefs and perceptions about the other. So, understanding how each partner respectively perceives their level of integration in their couple is fundamental when addressing couples. But it is also important to consider how they view themselves as a coupled entity. Among other variables that are part of a couple relationship, each partner’s time-use patterns, namely the time allocation to one’s daily activities, have an influence on romantic relationships, considering the necessity of time allocation for shared activities between spouses, especially leisure and social activities. But the association between IP and its influence on couples has not yet been fully examined, especially when considering the couple as an entity alongside the independent perspective of each respective partner.
OBJECTIVE
IP-COUPLES study protocol aims to investigate the extent to which interpersonal perceptions of time-use patterns between partners is related to the interpersonal perception of time-use patterns of each individual as well as the coupled entity.
Secondary objectives are threefold :
1) to determine the association between an individual’s self-assessment of his/her own time-use patterns, and their perception of this variable from the point of view of their respective partner,
2) to determine the association between one’s self-assessment of time-use patterns and their joint perception of this variable as a couple,
3) to determine the association between an individual’s perception of time-use patterns from the point of view of their respective partner and perception of time-use patterns from the perspective of the couple as a joint entity.
METHODS
This protocol is designed for a cross-sectional study. Using a set of questionnaires, the investigator will administrate a set of questionnaires to couples from a convenient sample. Questionnaires including a measure of time-use patterns, the Life-Balance Inventory, and socio-demographic questions, will be administered face-to-face, firstly individually with each partner. Partners will then collaborate to answer to the questionnaires as a couple. Using the scores, a model described in literature will be applied to measure IP of time-use patterns between partners and between each partner and the couple as a joint entity. Statistics calculations will be supported by SPSS Software
RESULTS
The IP-COUPLES study protocol was designed and built between 2019 and 2020. The enrollment will begin in June 2020 and will continue until March 2021. Analysis and presentation of results will be available at the end of 2021.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings could demonstrate differences in perceptions of time-use patterns between partners, and between each partner and the couple as a joint entity. Therefore, considerations for interventions on these differences will be explored.
Interpersonal Perception of Time-Use Patterns in Romantic Relationships: The IP-COUPLE Study Protocol (Preprint)