The Relationship Between Pronoun Use in Couple Interactions, Attachment, and Relationship Satisfaction

2021 ◽  
pp. 106648072110000
Author(s):  
Dixie Meyer ◽  
Danielle Thomas ◽  
Haley Hawkins
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Communication Patterns ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Pronoun Use ◽  
Relationship Factors ◽  
Satisfaction Measures ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Couple Interactions

Research shows pronoun use may be related to relationship factors. Our research invited 40 couples (adults mostly partnered for 2 or fewer years) to engage in a 15-min conversation after completing demographics, attachment, and relationship satisfaction measures. Romantic partners tended to use pronouns similarly. Attachment anxiety and avoidance were related to lower relationship satisfaction. Bivariate actor partner interdependence models showed when men used we pronouns, lower relationship satisfaction was reported in both partners. When men used I pronouns, women were more likely to use we pronouns. When men used you pronouns, women were more likely to use I pronouns and engage in more attachment avoidant behaviors. Findings suggest communication patterns may be interpreted differently by younger couples. Couples therapists may want to investigate communication patterns to create a new dialogue that increases relationship satisfaction and limits insecure attachment behaviors.

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 Being in the Moment So You Can Keep Moving Forward: Mindfulness and Rumination Mediate the Relationship between Attachment Orientations and Negative Conflict Styles

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6472
Author(s):  
Rachael E. Quickert ◽  
Tara K. MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Conflict Behavior ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Attachment Insecurity ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Attachment Orientations ◽  
The Relationship

Attachment insecurity has been associated with negative behaviors during conflict and decreased relationship satisfaction. We theorize that individuals high in attachment anxiety and/or avoidance are less mindful during conflict with their romantic partners, and thus more likely to ruminate. Decreased mindfulness and higher levels of rumination may be important mechanisms in the relationship between attachment insecurity and conflict behavior, as it may be more difficult to engage in constructive problem-solving skills when one is distracted from the present moment. We conducted an online survey assessing 360 participants’ attachment orientations, levels of mindfulness and rumination, behavior during conflict, and experience with mindfulness activities. Using a serial mediation model, we found that mindfulness and rumination mediated the relationship between attachment insecurity and negative conflict behaviors. We further discovered that individuals high in attachment insecurity were more likely to report negative experiences with mindfulness activities (i.e., meditation and yoga), and that this relationship was mediated by higher levels of experiential avoidance, or a fear of engaging with one’s own thoughts and feelings. We discuss the importance of increasing mindfulness and decreasing both rumination and experiential avoidance to assist individuals high in attachment insecurity in navigating relationship conflict using more constructive and relationship-promoting strategies.

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.

Overparenting and Emerging Adults’ Insecure Attachment With Parents and Romantic Partners

2021 ◽  
pp. 216769682199771
Author(s):  
Jian Jiao ◽  
Chris Segrin
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Theory ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Mechanical Turk ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Relationships ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Attachment theory articulates that social and personal interactions influence individuals’ attachment characteristics. Although research has revealed various negative consequences of overparenting among offspring, very few studies have looked at the attachment features of overparented emerging adults. Relying on cross-sectional data collected from 231 emerging adults ( M age = 24.22 years, 57.1% females) recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk), the present study examined the associations between overparenting and emerging adults’ insecure attachment (i.e., attachment anxiety and/or avoidance) in parent-offspring and romantic contexts, and if overparented emerging adults delay marriages. Results showed that overparenting was robustly associated with emerging adults’ insecure attachment with both parents and romantic partners, and overparented emerging adults were less likely to be married. Overall, the findings suggest that overparenting practices, although seemingly well-intentioned, might indeed create barriers for emerging adults to develop and maintain positive and healthy relationships.

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.

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