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 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 Influence of Subsystem between Parent-in-law and Children-in-law on Marital Adjustment in Marital Subsystem

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-428
Author(s):  
Sesong Jeon
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Program Development ◽  
Marital Adjustment ◽  
Married Couple ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Marital Stability ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
High Satisfaction ◽  
The Relationship

This study investigates the effect of in-law relationship on the marital adjustment of married couples by considering family-oriented Korean culture. Previous in-law studies did not consider the influence of another party who did not attend the survey due to sampling limitations. However, the marital adjustment of married couple and the satisfaction of the relationship with parents-in-law are two-way relationships that affect each other and are not one-sided relationships. By considering the non-independence of the couple’s data, Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was utilized to examine the structural relationship between marital adjustment (marital satisfaction and marital stability) and in-law relationship quality (relationship satisfaction between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law for wives, relationship satisfaction between mother-in-law and son-in-law for husbands) of 203 married couples. Results indicated that a high satisfaction of wives’ in-law relationship increased personal marital adjustment as well as husbands’ marital adjustment. The husbands’ positive relationship with in-laws also increased personal marital adjustment and their wives’ marital adjustment. The results of this study can be used as basic data for program development and counseling for healthy in-law relationship as well as educational data for couples intending to marry.

“You’ve Changed”: Low Self-Concept Clarity Predicts Lack of Support for Partner Change

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia F. Emery ◽  
Wendi L. Gardner ◽  
Eli J. Finkel ◽  
Kathleen L. Carswell
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Romantic Partner ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Partner Change

People often pursue self-change, and having a romantic partner who supports these changes increases relationship satisfaction. However, most existing research focuses only on the experience of the person who is changing. What predicts whether people support their partner’s change? People with low self-concept clarity resist self-change, so we hypothesized that they would be unsupportive of their partner’s changes. People with low self-concept clarity did not support their partner’s change (Study 1a), because they thought they would have to change, too (Study 1b). Low self-concept clarity predicted failing to support a partner’s change, but not vice versa (Studies 2 and 3), and only for larger changes (Study 3). Not supporting a partner’s change predicted decreases in relationship quality for both members of the couple (Studies 2 and 3). This research underscores the role of partners in self-change, suggesting that failing to support a partner’s change may stem from self-concept confusion.

Testing theories of romantic development from adolescence to young adulthood: Evidence of a developmental sequence

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 519-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Seiffge-Krenke
Keyword(s):  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Romantic Partner ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Developmental Sequence ◽  
Initiation Phase ◽  
The Relationship

In an 8-year prospective study conducted on 103 subjects, the developmental sequence of and the factors contributing to a bonded romantic outcome in young adulthood were investigated. The subjects’ self-concepts and their relationships with mothers, fathers, and same-sex friends were assessed at the ages of 13, 15, and 17 years. Having a romantic partner and the quality of relationships with romantic partners were assessed at ages 13, 15, 17, and 21 years. Evidence was found for a developmental sequence in romance with respect to differences in the quality and duration of romantic relationships over time. Factor analysis revealed that at age 21, bonded romantic love emerged as a romantic outcome. Two models of romantic relationship development, varying in complexity, were tested. The results revealed that support from parents, friends, and romantic partners as well as self-concept contributed differently to the prediction of bonded love at age 21. Regression analyses revealed that at age of 13, during the initiation phase, the self-concept contributed significantly to the prediction of bonded love in young adulthood. Similarly, during the affection phase, at age 17, the quality of the relationship with the romantic partner was predictive of bonded love in early adulthood. The results were less clear at age 15, during the status phase. In addition, it was found that the importance of the romantic partner as support provider increased as the relationship developed. Contrary to expectations, peer support was found to be important only during later stages of romantic development.

scholarly journals Are Differences Between Partners Always Detrimental? The Moderating Role of Future Connectedness

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-192
Author(s):  
Simon Andrew Moss ◽  
Jasmine Dolan
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Primary Motivation ◽  
Expansion Theory ◽  
Moderating Role

Whether perceived differences between romantic partners compromises or enhances relationships may depend on the characteristics of individuals. This study explores the possibility that differences in capabilities but not motives enhance relationship satisfaction—but only when the individuals feel connected to their future identity. In particular, when individuals feel connected to their future identity, their primary motivation is to accrue capabilities and resources that could be useful in subsequent decades. They will thus seek partners with capabilities they have yet to acquire because, consistent with self-expansion theory, they tend to perceive these abilities as part of their own self-concept. To test this premise, 152 individuals rated the motives and capabilities of both themselves and their partners and also answered questions that gauge their relationship satisfaction and connectedness to their future identity. Perceived differences in motives and capabilities were inversely associated with relationship satisfaction. However, when participants felt connected to their future identity, the inverse association between differences in capabilities and relationship satisfaction diminished. Accordingly, if individuals perceive their lives as stable, they can embrace some differences between themselves and their partner.

Does covid-19 "infect" love? How italian emerging adults lived their romantic relationships during the time of lockdown

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Gaia Cuccì ◽  
Maria Giulia Olivari ◽  
Emanuela Confalonieri
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Relationship Importance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Romantic Relationship Quality ◽  
The Way

In Italy the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown have deeply changed the way Italian people used to live. Many emerging adults had to self-distance from their romantic partners and modify the way of communicating and relating to each other. Thus managing a romantic relationship could be very challenging.The study quantitatively and qualitatively investigates the association between Lockdown related negative emotions, perception of the romantic relationship quality, changes in the relationship's characteristics and conflict within the couple. The sample consists of 171 emerging adults involved in a romantic relationship, who spent the time of lockdown apart from the romantic partner.Results showed that the perception of the relationship quality was not greatly associated with Lockdown related negative emotions, but was associated with changes and higher conflict within the relationship. Qualitative data support and enrich these results. Changes and conflicts within the relationship were due to: difficulties to communicate, lack of intimacy, awareness about relationship importance or presence of emotionaldetachment between partners.

scholarly journals Machiavellianism, relationship satisfaction, and romantic relationship quality

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayle Brewer ◽  
Loren Abell
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Negative Behavior ◽  
Controlling Behavior ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Satisfaction Measures ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Romantic Relationship Quality

Machiavellianism is characterised by a manipulative interpersonal style, willingness to exploit others, and a preference for emotionally detached relationships. The present studies investigate the extent to which Machiavellianism influences relationship satisfaction and romantic relationship quality. In Study 1, 194 heterosexual partnered women completed Machiavellianism and Relationship Satisfaction measures. Women with higher levels of Machiavellianism reported lower levels of relationship satisfaction. In Study 2, 132 heterosexual partnered women completed Machiavellianism, Trust, Commitment, Control, and Emotional Abuse scales. Women with higher levels of Machiavellianism perceived their partners to be less dependable, reported less faith in their partners, and were less willing to persist with the relationship than those with low levels of Machiavellianism. With regards to negative behavior, Machiavellianism predicted each form of control and emotional abuse investigated, such that those with high levels of Machiavellianism were more likely to engage in controlling behavior and emotional abuse. Findings have important implications for the prediction of romantic relationship quality and in particular for negative behavior such as control and abuse.

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.

Walking in each other's Shoes: Perspective Taking Mediates Effects of Emotional Intelligence on Relationship Quality

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Schröder–Abé ◽  
Astrid Schütz
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
The Relationship

Although theorists have repeatedly emphasized that emotional intelligence should be linked to relationship quality, little empirical research has systematically examined emotional intelligence in romantic relationships using appropriate dyadic designs and analyses. The present research investigated the relationship between emotional intelligence and aspects of relationship quality (satisfaction, closeness and commitment). Study 1 was conducted online with 191 heterosexual couples. We found that a person's perceptions of relationship quality were predicted not only by that person's emotional intelligence, but also by the relationship partner's emotional intelligence. In Study 2, these positive actor and partner effects of emotional intelligence on relationship satisfaction and closeness were replicated in a sample of 80 couples in the laboratory. In this context, couples engaged in a conflict discussion, and perspective taking of the partners was rated by the experimenter. Actor–Partner Interdependence Mediation Model showed that perspective taking mediated the effects of emotional intelligence on relationship quality. The present research confirmed the link between emotional intelligence and relationship quality and sheds light on the processes through which emotional intelligence affects the quality of romantic relationships. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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.

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