Humor in intimate relationships: Ties among sense of humor, similarity in humor and relationship quality

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dick P. H. Barelds ◽  
Pieternel Barelds-Dijkstra
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Sense Of Humor ◽  
Relationship Length ◽  
Couple Similarity ◽  
Partner Effect ◽  
General Community

AbstractThe present study examined relations between different aspects of humor and relationship quality. Participants, 114 married or cohabiting heterosexual couples from the general community, with a mean relationship length of 22 years, completed a number of measures assessing these two themes. We expected different aspects of humor of both partners to be positively related to relationship quality. In addition, we expected partners to resemble each other with regard to the different aspects of humor, and similarity with regard to humor to be related positively to relationship quality. The hypotheses were partially confirmed. APIM analyses revealed only one significant actor and one significant partner effect of sense of humor. Partners did resemble each other with regard to sense of humor, but couple similarity with regard to sense of humor was unrelated to relationship quality.

A combination of insecure attachment patterns in a relationship and its quality: The role of relationship length

2020 ◽  
pp. 026540752096989
Author(s):  
Dariusz Kuncewicz ◽  
Dorota Kuncewicz ◽  
Błażej Mroziński ◽  
Małgorzata Stawska
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Conflict Behavior ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Attachment Patterns ◽  
Relationship Length ◽  
Satisfaction Index ◽  
Negative Effect

Most studies confirm that a combination of insecure attachment patterns in a couple has a negative effect on a romantic relationship. However, some research findings suggest otherwise. It is because they do not take account of relationship length as a moderating variable. The aim of this study was to examine the role of relationship length in predicting the effects of a combination of insecure attachment patterns on different aspects of its quality. The study involved 200 heterosexual couples. We used the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire to measure insecure attachment patterns (anxiety and avoidance) and the Couple Satisfaction Index-32 to determine relationship satisfaction. The other aspects of relationship quality (tenderness, communication, conflict behavior) were examined by means of the Partnership Questionnaire. The key results showed that with time the selected indicators of relationship quality deteriorate in a combination of anxious and avoidant patterns, while they improve in a combination of both anxious patterns.

Effects of Attachment Styles on the Experience of Equity in Heterosexual Couples Relationships

2003 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 298-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ina Grau ◽  
Jörg Doll
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Theory ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Secure Attachment ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Equity Ratio

Abstract. Employing one correlational and two experimental studies, this paper examines the influence of attachment styles (secure, anxious, avoidant) on a person’s experience of equity in intimate relationships. While one experimental study employed a priming technique to stimulate the different attachment styles, the other involved vignettes describing fictitious characters with typical attachment styles. As the specific hypotheses about the single equity components have been developed on the basis of the attachment theory, the equity ratio itself and the four equity components (own outcome, own input, partner’s outcome, partner’s input) are analyzed as dependent variables. While partners with a secure attachment style tend to describe their relationship as equitable (i.e., they give and take extensively), partners who feel anxious about their relationship generally see themselves as being in an inequitable, disadvantaged position (i.e., they receive little from their partner). The hypothesis that avoidant partners would feel advantaged as they were less committed was only supported by the correlational study. Against expectations, the results of both experiments indicate that avoidant partners generally see themselves (or see avoidant vignettes) as being treated equitably, but that there is less emotional exchange than is the case with secure partners. Avoidant partners give and take less than secure ones.

Ever-Single Heterosexual Couples in Nonmarital Cohabitation: Spirituality, Connectedness, and Adjustment

2021 ◽  
pp. 106648072110239
Author(s):  
Samta P. Pandya
Keyword(s):  
Middle Class ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Upper Class ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Christian Couples ◽  
Work Intervention ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
Near Future

This article reports a study on the effectiveness of WhatsApp-based spiritual posts in promoting connectedness and adjustment among ever-single heterosexual couples in nonmarital cohabitation in four global cities. In comparison with trivia posts, the spiritual posts had greater impact and were more effective for Christian couples, middle class, highly qualified, and professionals-salaried cohabitants. This was in comparison with Hindu–Buddhist–Sikh dyads, upper class, with college degree, and entrepreneurs. However, cohabitation duration, initial cohabitation experience with other partners, having children/cohabitation dependents, and near future marriage plans were not significant predictors. Gender also did not significantly moderate spiritual intervention responses as proposed in the previous research. Couple intervention outcomes were mutually interdependent and intervention compliance in terms of number of posts read and do-it-yourself exercises posted were robust predictors of intervention success. With some subgroup-specific refinements, WhatsApp-based spiritual posts would be an effective spiritually sensitive social work intervention for improving relationship quality of nonmarital cohabitants.

scholarly journals I am a rock; I am an island: Implications of avoidant attachment for communal coping in adults with type 2 diabetes

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 3711-3732
Author(s):  
Meredith Van Vleet ◽  
Vicki S. Helgeson
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Chronic Illness ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Current Investigation ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Communal Coping ◽  
Diabetes Outcomes ◽  
Avoidant Attachment

Accumulating evidence indicates that communal coping is beneficial for individuals with chronic illness. The current investigation examined attachment as a moderator of the effects of communal coping in a sample of persons with type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that patient communal coping would be associated with higher relationship quality, lower distress, and better diabetes outcomes for patients low in avoidant attachment, but it would not be beneficial for patients high in avoidant attachment. Patient communal coping was coded from videotaped interactions in which 86 heterosexual couples discussed difficulties managing diabetes. The results indicated that patient communal coping was beneficial when avoidant attachment was low. When avoidant attachment was high, patient communal coping was related to lower relationship quality and higher distress and was unrelated to diabetes outcomes. This work sheds light on potential boundary conditions of communal coping’s benefits, which will be important to consider in future communal coping interventions.

scholarly journals Mindfulness, perceived partner responsiveness, and relationship quality: A dyadic longitudinal mediation model

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110303
Author(s):  
Sarah C. E. Stanton ◽  
Alvin Peng Siang Chan ◽  
Taranah Gazder
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Longitudinal Change ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Relationship Length ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Perceived Partner Responsiveness ◽  
Partner Responsiveness

General and domain-specific (e.g., relationship-specific) mindfulness frequently predict salutary relationship outcomes. The present preregistered study examined whether general and relationship mindfulness predicted longitudinal change in positive and negative relationship quality via greater perceived partner responsiveness (PPR). One hundred couples completed a baseline lab session (Phase 1), a 14-day diary period (Phase 2), and a 2-month follow-up survey (Phase 3). Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model analyses revealed that actors’ Phase 1 relationship mindfulness—but not general mindfulness—predicted increases in their own positive relationship quality from Phase 1–3 and decreases in their own negative relationship quality from Phase 1–3 indirectly via their own Phase 2 PPR. An exploratory alternate model testing if Phase 1 PPR predicted changes in Phase 1–3 relationship quality via Phase 2 relationship mindfulness did not reveal significant indirect effects. All results held when controlling for gender, age, and relationship length, and no partner effects emerged in any analysis. These findings further elucidate the relationship-enhancing role of mindfulness in couples and highlight PPR as a critical mediator explaining the link between domain-specific mindfulness and relationship quality. Implications for mindfulness-based training programs for couples are discussed.

Empathy and Romantic Relationship Quality Among Cohabitating Couples

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilio C. Ulloa ◽  
Julia F. Hammett ◽  
Nicole A. Meda ◽  
Salvador J. Rubalcaba
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Dyadic Data Analysis ◽  
Dyadic Data ◽  
National Longitudinal Study ◽  
Partner Effect ◽  
Romantic Relationship Quality

This study employed a dyadic data analysis approach to examine the association between partners’ empathy and relationship quality among cohabitating couples. Data were collected from 374 cohabitating but nonmarried couples who were participants in the Wave 3 romantic pairs subsample of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Men’s higher empathy was related to their own perceptions of better relationship quality and women’s higher empathy was related to their own as well as their partner’s perceptions of better relationship quality. These findings show that individuals’ abilities to be understanding, compassionate, and sympathetic may be related to the overall feeling of satisfaction and love in romantic relationships. The only effect that did not reach statistical significance was the partner effect from men’s empathy to women’s relationship quality. Although previous research with married couples has shown that men’s empathy may play a more important role in shaping couples’ perceptions of relationship quality, according to the current findings, these findings may not extend to cohabitating couples. The current results provide beneficial guidance to clinicians working with distressed, nonmarried couples.

Self-Reported Control over Decision-Making and its Relationship to Intimate Relationships

1998 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 560-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Zak ◽  
Christine Collins ◽  
Lisa Harper ◽  
Michele Masher
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Control Data ◽  
Interpersonal Control

After making decisions designed to prime perceptions of interpersonal control, data from 178 heterosexual couples indicated that intimates classified as having unequal control blamed their partners more for conflicts and reported less trust and satisfaction than those intimates reporting equal control.

scholarly journals A Dyadic Test of the Association Between Trait Self-Control and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Ying Zuo ◽  
Johan C. Karremans ◽  
Anouk Scheres ◽  
Esther S. Kluwer ◽  
William J. Burk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Relationship Commitment ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Relationship Processes ◽  
Partner Effect ◽  
Romantic Relationship Satisfaction

Previous research has demonstrated that trait self-control is related to a range of positive romantic relationship processes, suggesting that trait self-control should be positively and robustly linked to relationship satisfaction in both partners in a romantic relationship. However, the existing empirical evidence is limited and mixed, especially regarding partner effects (i.e., the effect of one’s self-control on the partner’s relationship satisfaction). With three datasets of heterosexual couples (S1: N = 195 newlyweds, longitudinal; S2: N = 249 couples who transition into first parenthood, longitudinal; S3: N = 929 couples, cross-sectional), the present pre-registered studies examined: (1) the dyadic associations between trait self-control and relationship satisfaction both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and (2) whether these effects hold when controlling for both partners’ relationship commitment. The results indicated a cross-sectional positive actor effect, some support for a positive cross-sectional partner effect, and only little support for a longitudinal actor (but not partner) effect. After controlling for relationship commitment, all effects of trait self-control on satisfaction diminished except for a longitudinal actor effect among women in Study 2. Potential explanations for the current results, and implications for theory and practice, are discussed.

Gender Differences in the Motivations for the Use of Sanctions in Conflicts Within Muslim and Jewish Couples

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052093549
Author(s):  
Wafaa Sowan-Basheer ◽  
Zeev Winstok
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Orthodox Jewish ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Preliminary Estimate ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
First Time ◽  
Empirical Implications

This study aimed to examine differences between men and women and between Muslims, secular Jews, and religious Jews in their motivations for using sanctions within their intimate relationships. This work involved heterosexual couples from the general population. The sample included 95 Muslim, 68 secular Jewish, and 70 ultra-orthodox Jewish couples (466 participants). The findings of the study show that sanction use during times of conflict is prevalent among the vast majority of couples. Motivations for the use of sanctions are stronger among women than men. In addition, the strongest motivation expressed by both genders was a motivation for conflict resolution. This is the first time that sanctions, as a tactic to cope with conflict, have been addressed in a scholarly manner. This study provides a preliminary estimate of how commonly these types of behaviors are used in intimate relationships. Theoretical and empirical implications of the theoretical framework and the findings are discussed, including the role of the use of sanction in the escalation of intimate partner conflicts.

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