Socioeconomic inequality undermines relationship quality in romantic relationships

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1722-1742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minha Cho ◽  
Emily A. Impett ◽  
Belinda Campos ◽  
Serena Chen ◽  
Dacher Keltner
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequality ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Observer Ratings

The present research tests how socioeconomic inequality (within romantic relationships) predicts relationship quality and observable expressions of emotion—examining longitudinal self-report and behavioral data from both partners of romantic couples. In Part 1, we examined the romantic partners’ self-reports of relationship quality at baseline and after three and a half months. In keeping with prior research on how power inequality undermines relationship satisfaction, couples defined by greater socioeconomic inequality showed a decline in relationship quality over time. In Part 2, we examined observer ratings of emotional expressions in the romantic partners’ conversations in the laboratory. Here, we found greater expression of negative emotion in the conversations of couples defined by greater inequality. Importantly, it was inequality itself—rather than whether one has higher or lower socioeconomic status than the partner—that significantly predicted changes in relationship quality and observable expressions of negative emotion. These findings have implications for how deepening economic inequality may manifest in the weakening of intimate bonds—the quality of which is central to the well-being of individuals and broader society.

On the strength of ties that bind: Measuring the strength of norms in romantic relationships

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 906-931
Author(s):  
John K. Sakaluk ◽  
Monica Biernat ◽  
Bonnie M. Le ◽  
Sarah Lundy ◽  
Emily A. Impett
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Strength Of Ties ◽  
New Perspective

In seven studies ( ncross-sectional = 1,699, nlongitudinal = 118), we developed a measure of relationship norm strength defined as qualities that make the rules and expectations in romantic couples more or less likely to be followed. In our six cross-sectional samples, the resulting Relationship Norm Strength Questionnaire (RNSQ) yielded consistent norm tractability, norm agreement, anticipated punishment for deviance, and norm explicitness factors, and estimated factors generally demonstrated evidence of convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity. Meta-analyzed effects across these samples—yielding more reliable and generalizable estimates—indicated that greater norm tractability and norm agreement were strongly linked to higher levels of relationship quality. Further supporting our model of relationship norm functioning, results from our 8-week longitudinal study of community members in relationships indicated that greater levels of norm tractability and agreement resulted in greater subsequent norm conformity. Taken together, our results suggest that relationship norm strength offers a promising new perspective on relational well-being and can add to a more comprehensive account of normative processes in close relationships.

scholarly journals The wandering eye perceives more threats: Projection of attraction to alternative partners predicts anger and negative behavior in romantic relationships

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 450-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela M. Neal ◽  
Edward P. Lemay
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Negative Behavior ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Negative Behaviors ◽  
Daily Experiences ◽  
Accurate Reflection

The current study tested the predictions that (a) people project their own attraction to alternative romantic or sexual partners onto their romantic partners and (b) this projection shapes anger and negative behavior toward romantic partners. These predictions were supported in a dyadic daily experiences study of 96 heterosexual romantic couples. Participants’ self-reported attraction to alternative partners predicted perceptions of the partner’s interest independently of, and more strongly than, the partner’s own self-reported attraction, suggesting that participants projected their own extradyadic attraction onto their partners. Furthermore, this projection predicted perceivers’ own anger and negative behaviors directed at their partners more strongly than did the partner’s self-reported attraction. Results suggest that participants were angry and antagonistic when they thought their partners were interested in alternative partners, but that this suspicion was a projection of their own attraction to alternatives more than it was an accurate reflection of their partner’s attraction. Results suggest that projection of extradyadic attraction has an important influence on relationship quality and may exacerbate the negative relationship consequences of attraction to alternative partners.

scholarly journals The complicated connection between closeness and the quality of romantic relationships

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110500
Author(s):  
David M. Frost ◽  
Allen J. LeBlanc
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dyadic Analysis ◽  
Representative Survey ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Cohabiting Couples ◽  
Nationally Representative

Closeness is often considered synonymous with better quality romantic relationships. However, individual differences exist in the degree of closeness people desire in their relationships. This study examined the implications that discrepancies between actual and ideal closeness have for relationship quality in romantic couples. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 103 cohabiting couples ( N = 206) in the United States, who were randomly selected from a nationally representative survey panel. Dyadic analysis using actor–partner interdependence models with latent outcomes revealed that internal discrepancies between actual and idealized closeness were associated with poorer relationship quality for both individuals and their partners. These associations persisted above and beyond the effects of actual closeness and dyad-level differences in actual and ideal closeness. The association between closeness and relationship quality may be more individual than dyadic in nature, warranting renewed attention to the idiographic experience of closeness and its association with relational well-being.

scholarly journals Machine learning uncovers the most robust self-report predictors of relationship quality across 43 longitudinal couples studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (32) ◽  
pp. 19061-19071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Joel ◽  
Paul W. Eastwick ◽  
Colleen J. Allison ◽  
Ximena B. Arriaga ◽  
Zachary G. Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Individual Difference ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Individual Difference Variables ◽  
Partner Satisfaction

Given the powerful implications of relationship quality for health and well-being, a central mission of relationship science is explaining why some romantic relationships thrive more than others. This large-scale project used machine learning (i.e., Random Forests) to 1) quantify the extent to which relationship quality is predictable and 2) identify which constructs reliably predict relationship quality. Across 43 dyadic longitudinal datasets from 29 laboratories, the top relationship-specific predictors of relationship quality were perceived-partner commitment, appreciation, sexual satisfaction, perceived-partner satisfaction, and conflict. The top individual-difference predictors were life satisfaction, negative affect, depression, attachment avoidance, and attachment anxiety. Overall, relationship-specific variables predicted up to 45% of variance at baseline, and up to 18% of variance at the end of each study. Individual differences also performed well (21% and 12%, respectively). Actor-reported variables (i.e., own relationship-specific and individual-difference variables) predicted two to four times more variance than partner-reported variables (i.e., the partner’s ratings on those variables). Importantly, individual differences and partner reports had no predictive effects beyond actor-reported relationship-specific variables alone. These findings imply that the sum of all individual differences and partner experiences exert their influence on relationship quality via a person’s own relationship-specific experiences, and effects due to moderation by individual differences and moderation by partner-reports may be quite small. Finally, relationship-quality change (i.e., increases or decreases in relationship quality over the course of a study) was largely unpredictable from any combination of self-report variables. This collective effort should guide future models of relationships.

scholarly journals Σχέσεις μεταξύ του ζευγαριού και οι αντιλήψεις τους για το δεσμό με τη μητέρα τους

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Ελένη Κυργερίδου ◽  
Παναγιώτα Βόρρια ◽  
Γρηγόρης Κιοσέογλου
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Dyadic Adjustment ◽  
The Other ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Dyadic Adjustment Scale

The current study examined the association between attachment style and adjustment in romantic relationships as well as the association between perceptions of adult attachment and adjustment in romantic relationships. 65 cohabitating couples aged from 21 to 32 years were recruited for the study. Couples completed the following self-report questionnaires: 1) Perceptions of Adult Attachment Questionnaire, PAAQ, Lichtenstein & Cassidy, 1991, 2) Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory, ECR, Brennan, Clark & Shaver, 1998 and 3) Dyadic Adjustment Scale, DAS, Spanier, 1976. Results showed that secure couples (both partners described themselves as securely attached) as well as mixed couples (one partner chose the secure description and the other defined himself or herself as insecure) reported higher relationship quality compared to both insecure couples (both partners described themselves as insecurely attached). Analyses aimed to test the links between early attachment experiences and marital relationship quality illustrated that both partners’ rejection from their mother in early childhood had a detrimental effect on women’s marital adjustment.

Cultural Similarities and Differences in Relationship Goals in Intercultural Romantic Couples

2020 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2092907
Author(s):  
Ana Laura Fonseca ◽  
Tony Ye ◽  
Melissa Curran ◽  
Jill Koyama ◽  
Emily A. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
The United States ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Relationship Functioning ◽  
Interpersonal Processes ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Intercultural Couples ◽  
Perceived Responsiveness ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Using Data

Intercultural romantic relationships and multicultural families have increased in the United States and worldwide. Researchers have found that intercultural couples report high rates of conflict and relationship instability, which may be partly explained by differences between partners in relationship goals (e.g., how much intimacy is desired and how to approach conflict). Using data from 40 intercultural couples (N = 80), we test whether greater similarity in relationship goals between romantic partners is related to greater perceived partner responsiveness and, thereby, greater relationship quality. By means of Bayesian analyses, our results suggest that similarity of relationship goals is associated with both perceived responsiveness and relationship quality, but without evidence of mediation. Our results show that cultural similarities and differences exist in relationship goals in intercultural couples, and they are connected to relationship functioning. This information can be used to assist clinicians in understanding the interpersonal processes that make-up healthy relationship functioning in intercultural couples.

scholarly journals Using Multiple Methods to Evaluate Associations Among Externalizing Psychopathology, Personality, and Relationship Quality: A Replication and Extension

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhila N. Wildey ◽  
M. Brent Donnellan ◽  
Kelly L. Klump ◽  
S. Alexandra Burt
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Relationship Adjustment ◽  
Prior Work ◽  
Multiple Methods ◽  
Externalizing Psychopathology

The current study evaluated associations among externalizing psychopathology, personality, and relationship quality in a sample of 794 couples. Personality and psychopathology were assessed using dimensional measures, and relationship attributes were assessed with both self-report and observer reports of videotaped interactions. Results were consistent with prior work (i.e., Humbad, Donnellan, Iacono, & Burt, 2010) such that greater externalizing psychopathology remained a significant predictor of lower relationship adjustment, while controlling for personality traits. Importantly, dimensional measures of externalizing psychopathology showed stronger associations with relationship adjustment when compared to symptom count measures used in Humbad et al. (2010). These results highlight the importance of replication and extension studies, the usefulness of dimensional measures of psychopathology, and the value of multiple methods of assessment to increase confidence in the robustness of associations between pathological attributes of personality and features of romantic relationships.

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.

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