Decomposing variance in co-rumination using dyadic daily diary data

Co-rumination is the process of perseverating on problems, negative thoughts, or feelings with another person. Still unknown is how co-rumination unfolds within the daily lives of romantic couples. Using a variance decomposition procedure on data from a 14-day dyadic daily diary, we assess how much co-rumination varies over time and whether it is a couple- or individual-level process. Results revealed that within-person fluctuations in co-rumination contributed most (~33%) to the total variance and that these fluctuations could be reliably assessed using multi-item summary scores. Although time-invariant between-couple differences account significantly for the total variance (~14%) and can be reliably assessed, there is little within-couple agreement on the extent to which co-rumination fluctuates on a daily level. More research is needed to understand when and why perceptions of daily co-rumination diverge within couples, and how this informs theory on co-rumination and similar ostensibly dyadic constructs.

Exploring how exchange orientation affects conflict and intimacy in the daily life of romantic couples

We test the hypothesis that partners’ tendency to “keep score” in a relationship–as reflected in their exchange orientation–will moderate the effect of daily conflicts on their relationship evaluations. Cohabitating romantic partners (N = 82 couples) participated in a 28-day daily diary study. Partners higher in exchange orientation showed lower intimacy with their partner on days with conflict compared to days without conflict; the effect was attenuated for partners lower in exchange orientation. This result held even while adjusting for daily negative affect. We conclude that close monitoring of costs and benefits in a relationship, a characteristic of partners with high exchange orientation, may lead partners to overreact to simple daily conflicts, to the detriment of relationship evaluations.

Communication Breakdown: Differing Relationship Wellbeing Effects of Positive and Negative Spin in Communication Behaviour

<p>Romantic couples must regularly navigate interactions to maintain satisfying relationships, but it is unclear how people’s variability in communication behaviour is linked to relationship wellbeing. Varying communication behaviours may display responsiveness to a partner’s needs by adjusting behaviour appropriately. Or else, inconsistent behaviour may undermine partner trust by fuelling uncertainties about commitment. Across two studies, we investigated how a person’s variability of communication behaviour was associated with their own wellbeing and their partner’s wellbeing. Specifically, we assessed spin, a measure of how often a person switches between communication behaviours. We predicted that switching between positive behaviours would be linked with higher relationship wellbeing but, conversely, switching between negative communication behaviours would be linked with lower wellbeing. We assessed spin in positive and negative forms of relationship behaviour over three weeks (Study 1; 78 couples) and over a single interaction (Study 2; 112 couples). Effects for spin in positivity emerged only in Study 1. For women, switching daily positive behaviour over three weeks was associated with higher partner relationship wellbeing but unexpectedly lower wellbeing for women (controlling for mean-level positivity). This suggests that, for women, being responsive to partners in diverse ways is beneficial for the partner but comes at a personal cost. Effects for spin in negativity emerged in both studies. Switching negative behaviour was linked with lower partner wellbeing in both studies, indicating that use of different negative behaviours is more dysfunctional than the sum of individual relationship behaviours. Across both studies, additional tests illustrated that these effects were independent and not due to variability in the magnitude of behaviours. Our findings show variable behaviour may benefit partner wellbeing when behaviour is positive, but inconsistent negativity interrupts intimacy processes to undermine wellbeing. Our research highlights the importance of considering behavioural variability when studying relationship maintenance processes over time.</p>

Communication Breakdown: Differing Relationship Wellbeing Effects of Positive and Negative Spin in Communication Behaviour

<p>Romantic couples must regularly navigate interactions to maintain satisfying relationships, but it is unclear how people’s variability in communication behaviour is linked to relationship wellbeing. Varying communication behaviours may display responsiveness to a partner’s needs by adjusting behaviour appropriately. Or else, inconsistent behaviour may undermine partner trust by fuelling uncertainties about commitment. Across two studies, we investigated how a person’s variability of communication behaviour was associated with their own wellbeing and their partner’s wellbeing. Specifically, we assessed spin, a measure of how often a person switches between communication behaviours. We predicted that switching between positive behaviours would be linked with higher relationship wellbeing but, conversely, switching between negative communication behaviours would be linked with lower wellbeing. We assessed spin in positive and negative forms of relationship behaviour over three weeks (Study 1; 78 couples) and over a single interaction (Study 2; 112 couples). Effects for spin in positivity emerged only in Study 1. For women, switching daily positive behaviour over three weeks was associated with higher partner relationship wellbeing but unexpectedly lower wellbeing for women (controlling for mean-level positivity). This suggests that, for women, being responsive to partners in diverse ways is beneficial for the partner but comes at a personal cost. Effects for spin in negativity emerged in both studies. Switching negative behaviour was linked with lower partner wellbeing in both studies, indicating that use of different negative behaviours is more dysfunctional than the sum of individual relationship behaviours. Across both studies, additional tests illustrated that these effects were independent and not due to variability in the magnitude of behaviours. Our findings show variable behaviour may benefit partner wellbeing when behaviour is positive, but inconsistent negativity interrupts intimacy processes to undermine wellbeing. Our research highlights the importance of considering behavioural variability when studying relationship maintenance processes over time.</p>

Communication Interdependence and Cohabitation: The Role of Interpersonal Technologies in Satisfaction and Disillusionment among Couples in Transition

The transition to cohabitation is a major developmental milestone for romantic couples, yet it is linked to myriad negative outcomes. This study extends the communication interdependence perspective (CIP) to understand the role of technology use in relationship transitions (i.e., the transition to cohabitation). Couples (N = 258 individuals) completed an online survey before and after transitioning to cohabitation to test actor and partner effects of technology integration, segmentation, and difficulty transitioning on relationship satisfaction and ambivalence. Results showed that for actors, constructive integration had positive associations and destructive integration had negative associations with relational outcomes. Difficulty transitioning between channels of communication also had negative implications for relationships. Longitudinal results indicated that negative integration patterns could sometimes buffer against relationship disillusionment. Theoretical implications for the CIP and practical implications for couples are discussed.

Long-distance texting: Text messaging is linked with higher relationship satisfaction in long-distance relationships

Due to the widespread use of smartphones, romantic couples can connect with their partners from virtually anywhere, at any time. Remote communication may be particularly important to long-distance relationships (LDRs), compared to geographically close relationships (GCRs). The goals of the current research were to examine differences between LDRs and GCRs in (1) the patterns of remote communication (video calls, voice calls, and texting), and (2) how frequency and responsiveness of remote communication are related to relationship satisfaction. Data were drawn from an online survey of emerging adults ( n = 647) who were in a relationship or dating someone (36.5% were in an LDR). Participants in LDRs engaged in more frequent video calling, voice calling and texting, compared to those in GCRs. Long-distance relationship participants also perceived their partners to be more responsive during video and voice calls, compared to GCR participants. More frequent and responsive texting predicted significantly greater relationship satisfaction among participants in LDRs, but not GCRs. Meanwhile, frequency of voice calls was associated with greater relationship satisfaction in GCRs, but not in LDRs. The use of video calls was not significantly related to relationship satisfaction in either group. Overall, study findings add to a growing literature on remote communication in romantic couples and suggest a uniquely positive role of texting within LDRs. Further research is needed to examine the ways in which LDR and GCR couples can best capitalize on different forms of remote technology to maintain their relationships during periods of separation.

Sexual Growth Mindsets and Rejection Sensitivity in Sexual Satisfaction

Research suggests that having a sexual growth mindset (SGM), or believing that a person can become a better sexual partner over time, may improve sexual relationships. The present research investigated the impact of SGMs on a new sexual outcome: sexual rejection sensitivity. In Study 1, adults in romantic relationships completed measures of SGM and sexual rejection sensitivity from their own and from their partner’s perspective ( N = 377; 49.9% women; M age = 29.1 years, SD age = 12.2 years). Findings show that perceived partner, but not own, SGM is associated with lower sexual rejection sensitivity, and sexual rejection sensitivity mediated the link between perceived partner SGM and own sexual satisfaction. In Study 2, we replaced perceived partner SGM with actual partner SGM by recruiting both members of 104 different-sex romantic couples ( M age = 43.9 years, SD age = 14.5 years). Study 2 finds that partner, but not own, SGM was negatively associated with sexual rejection sensitivity. Further, sexual rejection sensitivity was negatively associated with sexual satisfaction in Study 1 and for women in Study 2. This work demonstrates the importance of sexual partners’ implicit beliefs about sexuality (perceived or reported) in understanding sexual outcomes.

Effects of Mediated Communication on Conflict Behavior, Resolution, and Affect in Romantic Couples

Mediated communication such as text messaging influences how romantic couples engage in and perceive conflict interactions, but the precise nature of these effects is unclear. We randomly assigned 43 romantic couples to engage in a conflict interaction either face-to-face ( n = 23 couples) or using a text-based messaging application ( n = 20 couples). Participants completed self-report measures of positive and negative conflict behaviors (e.g., humor and hostility), perceived progress toward conflict resolution, and positive and negative affect (e.g., inspired and afraid). Participants who engaged in more positive conflict behaviors reported more progress toward conflict resolution and more positive affect. Positive conflict behaviors were lower in text-based than face-to-face interactions. Progress toward conflict resolution, positive and negative affect, and negative conflict behaviors did not differ between text-based and face-to-face conflict interactions. The findings highlight the utility of examining both positive and negative conflict behaviors in mediated conflict and suggest that future research should further examine when and how participants compensate for a lack of nonverbal cues in mediated conflict.

The complicated connection between closeness and the quality of romantic relationships

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.