Prior On–Off Relationship Instability and Distress in the Separation and Divorce Transition

Negative interactions between romantic partners, such as when one partner criticizes another about their weight, are associated with poor relationship outcomes. The purpose of the study was to examine associations between romantic partner weight criticism, romantic relationship quality, gender, and Latinx young adults’ romantic relationship instability. Participants were recruited from a Qualtrics panel and completed 30-minute surveys online. The sample included 475 Latinx young adults (60% women; M age = 24.80 years, SD = 3.22; 66% Mexican) who reported on their experiences of romantic partner weight criticism, positive romantic relationship quality (e.g., intimacy, affection, nurturance), negative romantic relationship quality (e.g., conflict, antagonism), and relationship instability. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to test the study goals. Overall, weight-related criticism was more strongly associated with romantic relationship instability for men than for women. Further, for men, associations between weight criticism and romantic relationship instability were also particularly strong in the context of low levels of negative romantic relationship quality compared to high levels of negative romantic relationship quality.

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A Longitudinal Hierarchical Examination of Smart Steps for Stepfamilies With Ethnically and Economically Diverse Couples

Journal of Family Issues ◽

10.1177/0192513x19869385 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 183-211

Author(s):

Katie Reck ◽

Brian Higginbotham ◽

Jeffrey Dew

Keyword(s):

Relationship Quality ◽

Hierarchical Linear Model ◽

Curve Analysis ◽

Self Report ◽

Relationship Education ◽

Growth Curve Analysis ◽

Moderating Effects ◽

The Past ◽

Relationship Instability ◽

Over Time

Over the past decade, relationship education has grown as a means of enhancing couple relationships. This longitudinal study was designed to examine the experiences and outcomes of 2,828 adults who participated in the Smart Steps for Stepfamilies: Embrace the Journey program. Self-report measures of relationship quality, commitment, and relationship instability were administered prior to participation, then immediately, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after participation. A three-level growth-curve analysis using hierarchical linear model suggested that stepfamily participants experienced small but statistically significant immediate increases in relationship quality and stability, but those gains diminished over time. The statistical analyses tested for moderating effects of individual and couple characteristics on programmatic outcomes over time. Application of these findings and implications for relationship education for stepfamilies are discussed.

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It’s (Not) Over: Relationship Instability and Recovery Between Victims and Detained Domestic Abusers

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260515619171 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (10) ◽

pp. 1679-1699

Author(s):

Christin L. Carotta ◽

Amy E. Bonomi ◽

Meghan A. Lee ◽

Lynsey A. Terrell

Keyword(s):

Sensitive Period ◽

Data Set ◽

Theoretical Understanding ◽

Physical Separation ◽

Violent Relationships ◽

Multiple Strategies ◽

Micro Level ◽

Relationship Instability ◽

The Relationship ◽

Interactional Patterns

We used an innovative data set involving audio-recorded conversations between abusers and victims to explore the interactional patterns that occur within violent relationships, following severe violence and the abuser’s detainment. Using micro-level conversational data, our analysis sequenced the hopes/desires that victims and abusers expressed around their expectations for continuing or discontinuing a connection with each other. Conversations commonly included an expressed statement to end the relationship. Although it was common for both victims and abusers to express hope of ending the relationship, victims were most likely to initiate this desire. In response, abusers used multiple strategies to regain connection, including 1) challenging the victim, 2) declaring love or a desire to continue the relationship, 3) appealing for sympathy or help from the victim, and 4) mirroring or accepting the victim’s desire to end the relationship (when other strategies were unsuccessful). Abusers’ responses served to cultivate additional conflict in the relationship while at the same time maintained communication and facilitated relationship recovery following threats of dissolution. These findings contribute to an increased theoretical understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence in the sensitive period involving the couple’s physical separation.

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Stress generation theory in couples with depression: A latent profile analysis

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/0265407520919992 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (7) ◽

pp. 2205-2228

Author(s):

Preston Morgan ◽

Richard Dell’lsola ◽

Bornell Nicholson ◽

Chelsea Spencer

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

Stress Generation ◽

Female Partners ◽

Generation Theory ◽

Males And Females ◽

Relationship Instability ◽

As Relationship ◽

Latent Profile

Depressive symptoms and conflict negatively affect romantic relationships, but does this differ among couples? Using a stress generation theory framework, we aim to understand the types of profiles based on both partners’ responses of depressive symptoms and conflict. We used data from 1,598 German couples (different-sex) and conducted latent profile analyses in order to examine if there are different profiles of couples related to the male and female partners’ depressive symptoms and levels of conflict. We then examined if these profiles predicted relationship instability 1 year later. Our results revealed four profiles: congruent low conflict, incongruent female moderate conflict, incongruent male moderate conflict, and congruent moderate conflict. Both males and females in the congruent low and moderate conflict profiles showed agreement in their level of depressive symptoms and conflict, hence congruent. However, males and females differed in their levels of depressive symptoms and conflict in two incongruent profiles. For example, females in the incongruent female moderate conflict profile had higher levels of depressive symptoms and conflict than their partners. Prior depressive symptoms and conflict increased the odds of being in the incongruent female moderate conflict, incongruent male moderate conflict, and congruent moderate conflict profiles compared to the congruent low conflict profile. The congruent moderate conflict profile had the highest probability of relationship instability 1 year later. This study adds to our knowledge about the different profiles of couples with depressive symptoms and conflict as well as relationship instability.

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