Caregiving spouses’ experiences of relational uncertainty and partner influence in the prolonged relational transition of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110580
Author(s):  
R. Amanda Cooper ◽  
Margaret J. Pitts
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Transitional Period ◽  
Turbulence Theory ◽  
Relational Uncertainty ◽  
Relational Turbulence ◽  
Partner Influence ◽  
Temporal Focus ◽  
Relational Change ◽  
Caregiving Spouses

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias cause gradual cognitive and communicative decline over a period of several years creating a prolonged transitional period in the lives of people with the disease and their spouse. Relational turbulence theory served as a lens to examine 18 in-depth interviews with caregiving spouses regarding their experiences of relational uncertainty, and interference and facilitation from their partner throughout this prolonged relational transition. Counterintuitively, the experience of relational uncertainty was greatly influenced by the certainties of relational change and termination (death) that shifted the temporal focus of uncertainty to the future. Communicative symptoms and aggressive behavior were a main source of interference. Despite the impairment of the disease, caregiving spouses recognized their partners’ expressions of gratitude, moments of recognition, and simple expressions of love as facilitation.

A Longitudinal Test of Relational Turbulence Theory

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
James B. Stein
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Turbulence Theory ◽  
Relational Communication ◽  
Partial Support ◽  
Relational Uncertainty ◽  
Relational Turbulence ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Uncertainty Relationship

Abstract Relational turbulence theory (RTT) proposes causal relationships across cognitive, emotional and communicative variables. Although many tenets of this theory have been tested individually, there has not yet been a comprehensive, predictive examination of RTT. Using structural equation modelling, this study longitudinally tested several propositions and axioms of RTT. Results are largely in line with many of RTT's predictions. Time 1 relational uncertainty predicted time 2 biased cognitions. Time 1 facilitation from a partner predicted time 2 negative emotions. Negative emotions cross-sectionally related to both the enactment and valence of relational communication episodes. Relational turbulence theory's proposed feedback loop received partial support, such that time 1 communication valence (but not engagement) predicted time 2 partner uncertainty, relationship uncertainty and partner facilitation. Results are discussed in terms of theory expansion and refinement.

A relational turbulence theory perspective on women’s grief following miscarriage

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1852-1872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Tian ◽  
Denise Haunani Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Turbulence Theory ◽  
Relational Uncertainty ◽  
Relational Turbulence ◽  
Relationship Qualities ◽  
Conversational Behaviors ◽  
Grief Responses ◽  
Negative Appraisals ◽  
Mothers Experiences

This study used relational turbulence theory to examine (a) how the relational impact of miscarriage corresponded with bereaved mothers’ grief responses and (b) the association between a partner’s supportive conversational behaviors and relationship qualities. The sample included 193 women who had experienced a miscarriage within the previous year. As predicted, relational uncertainty was positively associated with women’s negative appraisals of miscarriage; facilitation from a partner was positively associated with women’s negative emotions; bereaved mothers’ negative appraisals and negative emotional responses covaried; and a partner’s supportive conversational behaviors were positively associated with facilitation from a partner. Contrary to our predictions, interference from a partner was not associated with more intense negative emotions, and a partner’s supportive conversational behaviors were positively associated with relational uncertainty and interference from a partner. The discussion highlights the relational impact of miscarriage on bereaved mothers’ experiences of grief.

The role of identity uncertainty in predicting relational turbulence and perceived partner communication for women coping with infertility

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110444
Author(s):  
Deborah B. Yoon ◽  
Jennifer A. Theiss
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Turbulence Theory ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Identity Change ◽  
Relational Uncertainty ◽  
Partner Communication ◽  
Relational Turbulence ◽  
Relationship Outcomes ◽  
Practical Implications

Infertility can change the way people see themselves and their relational roles. This study examined how changes to identity following reproductive hardship are associated with identity uncertainty and relationship outcomes. Drawing on relational turbulence theory, we position identity uncertainty as an antecedent condition for relational uncertainty and interdependence processes in the context of infertility and examine these relationship mechanisms as predictors of relational turbulence and perceptions of partner communication during this relationship transition. We surveyed 152 women who have been unsuccessful at conceiving for at least 12 months about their identity and perceptions of their relationship. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Consistent with hypotheses, identity change was positively associated with identity uncertainty, which, in turn, predicted increased relational uncertainty. Relational turbulence was positively predicted by relational uncertainty, but not partner interference or facilitation. Perceptions of a partner’s communication were predicted by relational turbulence and partner facilitation. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Parent–child relationships following spousal/parental death: An application of relational turbulence theory

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica A. Droser
Keyword(s):  
Parental Death ◽  
Turbulence Theory ◽  
Parent Child Relationship ◽  
Relational Uncertainty ◽  
Relational Turbulence ◽  
Relational Functioning ◽  
Child Relationship ◽  
Bereaved Children ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Parent Child

The death of a family member is a difficult experience. Although implications of loss are felt on intra- and interpersonal levels, little is known about how it affects the relational functioning of surviving family members, and in particular the parent–child relationship. Using data collected from 144 bereaved parent–child dyads, this study examined how the divergent experiences of spousally bereaved parents and parentally bereaved children impact the parent–child relationship following spousal/parental death. Drawing from relational turbulence theory (RTT), experiences with relational uncertainty and interference from a partner were explored. Findings indicate that parent–child pairs experience different types of relational uncertainty and interference from a partner and that within-dyad disagreement on these experiences can increase the amount of uncertainty and interference from a partner that an individual faces. This study extends RTT and demonstrates its generalizability to the parent–child relationship.

Identifying and measuring network-based relational uncertainty: Looking outside of the dyadic bubble

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 491-515
Author(s):  
James B. Stein ◽  
Paul A. Mongeau ◽  
Nikki I. Truscelli
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Turbulence Theory ◽  
Relational Uncertainty ◽  
Relational Development ◽  
Relational Turbulence ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Convergent And Divergent Validity ◽  
Open Coding ◽  
Measuring Network ◽  
Dyad Interaction

Previous research has explored both relational uncertainty and the importance of partners’ social networks in the development of close relationships. Combining these concepts would better facilitate our understanding of relational development. Accordingly, this four-study identifies and creates a novel measure for social network-based relational uncertainty experienced by individuals in romantic relationships. Studies 1 and 2 reveal eight distinct categories of network uncertainty via open coding. Studies 3 and 4 use these categories to create a network uncertainty measure (NUM) and compare it to several scales from relational turbulence theory. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed five subscales, which derived from the original eight categories. Tests of convergent and divergent validity validate the NUM as a viable measure to be used in theory expansion as well as studies of network-dyad interaction. Regression analyses first compared the NUM to measures of self, partner, and relationship uncertainty. Results demonstrated strong empirical relationships between these variables, reaffirming conceptual similarities. Moreover, measures of relationship satisfaction intimacy were regressed on the NUM, controlling for relational uncertainty measures. Results demonstrated that the NUM contributes to these outcomes above and beyond self, partner, and relationship uncertainty. Findings are discussed in terms of empirical and conceptual value to the study of romantic relationships.

scholarly journals Caregivers' Loss of the Dyadic Experience After Their Care Partner's Death

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 315-315
Author(s):  
Harleah Buck
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Turbulence Theory ◽  
Relational Uncertainty ◽  
Dyadic Relationship ◽  
Relational Turbulence ◽  
Affective Process

Abstract One emerging dyadic concept is the experience of family caregivers when their care partner dies and their dyadic relationship comes to an end. This study qualitatively examined and characterized the loss of the dyadic experience for the caregiver after the death of their care partner. Data was accrued as part of a randomized clinical trial in 29 older hospice caregivers. Iterative thematic analysis focused on dyadic processes before, during and post death. Using two relational parameters from Relational Turbulence Theory resulted in a preliminary characterization of a new concept - dyadic dissolution as a cognitive and affective process whereby a remaining member of a dyad experiences relational uncertainty and partner interference while adapting (or not) to the death of their care partner. Findings suggest that asking several open-ended questions about the dyadic relationship will enable assessment for any continuing impact of relational uncertainty and partner interference on bereaved caregivers.

scholarly journals Caregivers’ Loss of the Dyadic Experience after Their Care Partners’ Death

2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592199042
Author(s):  
Harleah G. Buck ◽  
Karen Lyons ◽  
Philip Barrison ◽  
Paula Cairns ◽  
Tina Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Turbulence Theory ◽  
Relational Uncertainty ◽  
Dyadic Relationship ◽  
Relational Turbulence ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Affective Process

Little is known about the experience of family caregivers when their care partner dies and their dyadic relationship comes to an end. This study qualitatively examined and characterized the loss of the dyadic experience for the caregiver after the death of their care partner. Data was accrued as part of a randomized clinical trial in 29 older hospice caregivers. Iterative thematic analysis focused on dyadic processes before, during and post death. Using two relational parameters from Relational Turbulence Theory resulted in a preliminary characterization of a new concept—dyadic dissolution as a cognitive and affective process whereby a remaining member of a dyad experiences relational uncertainty and partner interference while adapting (or not) to the death of their care partner. Findings suggest that asking several open-ended questions about the dyadic relationship will enable assessment for any continuing impact of relational uncertainty and partner interference on bereaved caregivers.

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