scholarly journals A nice surprise: Sacrifice expectations and partner appreciation in romantic relationships

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 450-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Zoppolat ◽  
Mariko L. Visserman ◽  
Francesca Righetti
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Relationship Maintenance ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Daily Experience ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
Maintenance Behavior ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Pro Social Behavior ◽  
The Sacrifice

Romantic partners regularly encounter conflicts of interests and sacrifice their self-interest for their partner or the relationship. But is this relationship maintenance behavior always appreciated by the partner receiving the sacrifice? We examined whether expectations of sacrifices (i.e., beliefs that sacrifices are necessary, normal, and expected in relationships) predict people’s appreciation for their partner and, ultimately, their relationship satisfaction. Utilizing a daily experience procedure among romantic couples in the Netherlands ( N = 253 individuals), we found that when participants perceived a partner’s sacrifice, they experienced greater partner appreciation (i.e., gratitude and respect) and, in turn, felt more satisfied with their relationship when their sacrifice expectations were low, rather than high. In contrast, perceiving a partner’s sacrifice had no effect on appreciation and relationship satisfaction when the sacrifice recipient held strong sacrifice expectations. These findings illustrate the power that expectations have in influencing the receiver’s appreciation of their partner’s pro-social behavior.

The relationship implications of rejecting a partner for sex kindly versus having sex reluctantly

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Kim ◽  
Amy Muise ◽  
Emily A. Impett
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Daily Experience ◽  
Relationship Outcomes ◽  
Relational Outcomes ◽  
Avoidance Goals ◽  
The Relationship

Romantic partners often have differing levels of sexual interest. In these situations, lower desire partners may engage in sex for avoidance goals (e.g., to avoid disappointing their partner), which are associated with negative relational outcomes. An alternative strategy to sustain relationship quality may be to decline a partner’s sexual advances in positive ways. In two experimental studies and a dyadic daily experience study with a longitudinal follow-up, we examined the relationship outcomes of positive rejection compared to avoidance-motivated sex. Across studies, when people engaged in positive rejection, both they and their partner did not experience lower levels of relationship satisfaction compared to when they had sex for avoidance goals, although this was not true for sexual satisfaction. Chronic pursuit of sex for avoidance goals did, however, have detrimental consequences over time, whereas positive rejection helped sustain relationship satisfaction. Results suggest positive rejection behaviors may be a viable alternative to avoidance-motivated sex.

scholarly journals To “See” Is to Feel Grateful? A Quasi-Signal Detection Analysis of Romantic Partners’ Sacrifices

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariko L. Visserman ◽  
Emily A. Impett ◽  
Francesca Righetti ◽  
Amy Muise ◽  
Dacher Keltner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Detection ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Total N ◽  
Daily Experience ◽  
Detection Analysis ◽  
Signal Detection Analysis ◽  
The Relationship

Although gratitude plays a central role in the quality of relationships, little is known about how gratitude emerges, such as in response to partners’ sacrifices. Do people need to accurately see these acts to feel grateful? In two daily experience studies of romantic couples (total N = 426), we used a quasi-signal detection paradigm to examine the prevalence and consequences of (in)accurately “seeing” and missing partners’ sacrifices. Findings consistently showed that sacrifices are equally likely to be missed as they are to be accurately detected, and about half of the time people “see” a sacrifice when the partner declares none. Importantly, “seeing” partners’ sacrifices—accurately or inaccurately—is crucial for boosting gratitude. In contrast, missed sacrifices fail to elicit gratitude, and the lack of appreciation negatively colors the partner’s satisfaction with the relationship when having sacrificed. Thus, these findings illustrate the power that perception holds in romantic couples’ daily lives.

scholarly journals Taking Stock of Reality: Biased Perceptions of the Costs of Romantic Partners’ Sacrifices

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariko L. Visserman ◽  
Francesca Righetti ◽  
Amy Muise ◽  
Emily A. Impett ◽  
Samantha Joel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Environment ◽  
Experience Sampling ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
The Relationship

When romantic partners sacrifice their own self-interest to benefit the relationship, the sacrificer or recipient may—for various reasons—be biased in how they perceive the costs that the sacrificer incurs. In Study 1, romantic couples ( N = 125) rated their own and their partner’s costs after a conversation about a sacrifice in the laboratory, followed by extensive experience sampling in their natural environment. In Study 2, a preregistered experiment, individuals ( N = 775) imagined a scenario in which they, their partner, or an unknown person sacrificed and rated the associated costs and benefits. Both studies demonstrated a consistent discrepancy between perceptions of own and partner sacrifice, driven primarily by people underestimating their own sacrifice costs and overestimating the benefits (Study 2). Results across studies showed that this underestimation bias helps people to feel better and feel more satisfied in the relationship when giving up their own goals and preferences for the relationship.

scholarly journals Perceptions of close relationship through the Machiavellians´ dark glasses: Negativity, distrust, self-protection against risk and dissatisfaction

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 806-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamás Ináncsi ◽  
Attila Pilinszki ◽  
Tünde Paál ◽  
András Láng
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Self Protection ◽  
The Relationship

It is commonly known from the literature that Machiavellian individuals have negative attitudes towards people and in general towards the world´s affairs. They are distrustful of the intentions of others, and they get cautiously involved into interpersonal interactions and take risks only if that may not have any severe negative consequence. It is also a fact that there are few ventures in life that potentially involve as much insecurity and personal vulnerability as the establishment and maintenance of close relationships. In our study, we were seeking the answer to the question: do people with high levels of Machiavellianism show a generally negative, distrustful and cautious attitude in their intimate relationships, as well? What effect their pessimistic approaches have on the other consequences of the relationship (satisfaction, commitment, investment, quality of alternatives)? This question was investigated on a dyadic sample of heterosexual couples (N = 101 pairs) with Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). The results of the correlations and actor effects show that men with high levels of Machiavellianism perceive in a negative way not just people in general, but their romantic partners and relationships as well and they experience an increased level of distrust, risk, and dissatisfaction into their close relationships. Women with high levels of Machiavellianism are less negativistic and feel less discontent towards their intimate partner and relationship, but even they are unable to put their distrust and precaution aside. The results of partner effects have revealed that women's Machiavellianism undermines men's trust, while men's Machiavellianism has the effect of minimizing women's investment into their relationship.

scholarly journals Daily Responsiveness, Expectations, and Self–disclosure: How the Average Levels and Within–person Variability of Three Relationship Components Mediate Personality–Relationship Transactions in Romantic Couples

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina Larissa Bühler ◽  
Rebekka Weidmann ◽  
Jenna Wünsche ◽  
Robert Philip Burriss ◽  
Alexander Grob
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Change Score ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Male Couples ◽  
Avoidant Attachment ◽  
Perceived Responsiveness ◽  
The Relationship

The associations between couple members’ personality and their relationship satisfaction can be conceptualized as reciprocal transactions. To better understand these transactions, we focused on both partners’ interpersonal vulnerabilities (i.e. neuroticism, low self–esteem, and insecure attachment); daily emotional, cognitive, and behavioural relationship components (i.e. perceived responsiveness, positive expectations, and self–disclosure); and relationship satisfaction. Specifically, we examined whether the average levels and within–person variability of the relationship components mediated the transactions between interpersonal vulnerabilities and relationship satisfaction. Data came from 689 female–male couples aged 18 to 81 years who participated in three measurement occasions across 12 months, including a 14–day diary phase. We used mediated dyadic bivariate latent change score models to test the level–change and change–change transactions and mediations. The findings partly supported our hypotheses: Couple members with interpersonal vulnerabilities had lower average levels (but not higher within–person variability) of the relationship components, and less satisfied couple members had lower average levels and higher within–person variability of these components. The lower average levels but not the variability mediated between a lower level of relationship satisfaction and an increase in avoidant attachment. No other mediations were observed. We discuss the importance of studying daily relationship components for better understanding reciprocal transactions in couples. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology

scholarly journals Daily Responsiveness, Expectations, and Self-Disclosure: How the Average Levels and Within-Person Variability of Three Relationship Components Mediate Personality–Relationship Transactions in Romantic Couples

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina Larissa Buehler ◽  
Rebekka Weidmann ◽  
Jenna Wünsche ◽  
Robert Philip Burriss ◽  
Alexander Grob
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Change Score ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Male Couples ◽  
Avoidant Attachment ◽  
Perceived Responsiveness ◽  
The Relationship

The associations between couple members’ personality and their relationship satisfaction can be conceptualized as reciprocal transactions. To better understand these transactions, we focused on both partners’ interpersonal vulnerabilities (i.e., neuroticism, low self-esteem, insecure attachment); daily emotional, cognitive, and behavioral relationship components (i.e., perceived responsiveness, positive expectations, self-disclosure); and relationship satisfaction. Specifically, we examined whether the average levels and within-person variability of the relationship components mediated the transactions between interpersonal vulnerabilities and relationship satisfaction. Data came from 689 female-male couples aged 18 to 81 years who participated in three measurement occasions across 12 months, including a 14-day diary phase. We used mediated dyadic bivariate latent change score models to test the level-change and change-change transactions and mediations. The findings partly supported our hypotheses: Couple members with interpersonal vulnerabilities had lower average levels (but not higher within-person variability) of the relationship components, and less satisfied couple members had lower average levels and higher within-person variability of these components. The lower average levels but not the variability mediated between a lower level of relationship satisfaction and an increase in avoidant attachment. No other mediations were observed. We discuss the importance of studying daily relationship components for better understanding reciprocal transactions in couples.

Implications of relationship-induced self-concept change across partners: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1554-1562
Author(s):  
Kevin P. McIntyre ◽  
Brent A. Mattingly ◽  
Sarah A. Gorban ◽  
Morgan A. Cope
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Change Processes ◽  
Degradation Processes ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Concept Change ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Model Approach

Investigations of relationship-induced self-concept change and relationship quality have generally been limited to intraindividual effects (i.e., actor effects). In the current study, we examined whether self-changes influence romantic partners’ perceptions of relationship satisfaction and commitment (i.e., partner effects). Using the actor–partner interdependence model, we tested how four self-concept change processes—self-expansion, self-pruning, self-contraction, and self-adulteration—are associated with relationship satisfaction and commitment. Results revealed robust actor effects across all self-change processes and partner effects on satisfaction for degradation processes only (i.e., self-contraction and self-adulteration), suggesting that self-changes differentially predict individuals’ and partners’ perceptions of the relationship.

scholarly journals Intimate Dynamics and Relationship Satisfaction among LGB Adolescents: The Role of Sexual Minority Oppression

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
Henrique Pereira ◽  
Graça Esgalhado
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Relationship Dynamics ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
The Relationship

Adolescent lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) romantic partners face the challenge of developing satisfactory relationships while managing stressors associated with being members of a stigmatized minority group due to their sexual minority status. The aims of this study were to explore and describe relationship dynamics among LGB adolescents that are in committed same-sex relationships in Portugal, to assess levels of satisfaction with their relationships, and to assess whether LGB oppression was associated with the likelihood of anticipating and experiencing problems within the relationship. A sample of 182 self-identified LGB adolescents (mean age = 17.89 years; SD = 1.99), completed an online survey consisting of various sociodemographic measures, a relationship dynamics questionnaire, a self-assessment of relationship satisfaction, and an adapted version of the Gay and Lesbian Oppressive Situations Inventory. Results show that participants were highly satisfied with their relationships, except those who were non-monogamous and less committed to their relationships. Participants showed moderate levels of LGB oppression situations, and, as demonstrated by the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, age (being older), having lower levels of commitment, and being exposed to higher levels of exclusion, rejection, and separation were strong predictors of lower levels of relationship satisfaction.

scholarly journals Humor production in long-term romantic relationships: What the lack of moderation by sex reveals about humor’s role in mating

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-359
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This manuscript explores whether the associations between partner humor production and relationship satisfaction and humor’s importance in romantic relationships are moderated by sex. Study 1 reports a meta-analysis (k = 10; N = 2,167) of the association between partner humor production (i.e., perceived; partner effects) and relationship satisfaction, and whether associations were moderated by participant sex. Contrary to predictions, partner humor production was more strongly associated to men’s relationship satisfaction than women’s satisfaction. Study 2 surveyed pairs of romantic partners (N = 246) regarding their production of humor, their appreciation of partner humor, and the importance of humor in their relationship. Results indicated no moderations by sex in the association between partner humor production and humor’s importance in the relationship.

scholarly journals The relationship sabotage scale: an evaluation of factor analyses and constructive validity

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Peel ◽  
Nerina Caltabiano
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Relationship Maintenance ◽  
Relationship Skills ◽  
Relationship Therapy ◽  
Relational Outcomes ◽  
The One ◽  
As Relationship ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Some individuals are no longer entering romantic relationships, others move through relationships too quickly searching for “the one” and making quick assessments of their romantic partners, while others stay in their relationships but “check out” or do not work on their issues. These are conclusions from two studies: (1) an interview with psychologists who specialise in relationship therapy, and (2) an analysis of individuals’ lived experiences of relationships. The concept of relationship sabotage can explain these phenomena. However, presently, there is no instrument to conceptualise and empirically measure how people continue to employ self-defeating attitudes and behaviors in (and out) of relationships to impede success, or withdraw effort, and justify failure. Methods and Results A series of three studies (involving a total of 1365 English speaking individuals of diverse gender orientation, sexual orientation, and cultural background, with relationship sabotage experience) were conceptualized for the current project to fill the need for scale development and to build empirical evidence on the topic of self-sabotage in romantic relationships. The scale was developed over two studies using exploratory factor analysis and one-congeneric model analyses. The third study, using confirmatory factor analysis, confirmed the final structure for the Relationship Sabotage Scale (RSS), which contains 12 items and three factors: defensiveness, trust difficulty, and lack of relationship skills. Constructive validity analyses were also conducted. Conclusion The RSS is a brief scale that provides conclusive information about individual patterns in relationships. Findings using this scale can offer explanations regarding the reasons that individuals engage in destructive behaviours from one relationship to the next. Investigations should continue to test a model for sabotage in romantic relationships using the developed scale and other factors such as relationship diferences and insecure attachment. More specifically, this measure can be used to understand mediator constructs of relational outcomes within the attachment framework to explain relationship dissolution and work towards relationship maintenance.

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