Relational turbulence during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal analysis of the reciprocal effects between relationship characteristics and outcomes of relational turbulence

This study offers a longitudinal and dyadic test of relational turbulence theory during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, this study highlights the severity of irritations and the aggressiveness and openness of relational communication as outcomes of relational turbulence that both shape and reflect relationship characteristics during this transition. Romantic dyads ( N = 151) completed four weekly surveys during the pandemic’s early stages. We used multilevel modeling to document between- and within-person effects and evaluate reciprocal effects over time. Results indicated that relational uncertainty and partner interference were positively associated with relational turbulence, whereas partner facilitation was negatively associated with turbulence. Relational turbulence was positively associated with the severity of irritations and the aggressiveness of communication, and negatively associated with the openness of communication, above and beyond the effects of the relationship mechanisms. Over-time analyses showed that relational turbulence, severity of irritations, aggressive communication, and open communication predicted subsequent levels of relationship qualities. These findings showcase the theoretical utility of relational turbulence theory for explaining how relationships are affected by the pandemic and highlight relationship processes to target in helping couples manage their relationship during these stressful times.

Relational and Growth Outcomes Following Couples Therapy With MDMA for PTSD

Healing from trauma occurs in a relational context, and the impacts of traumatic experiences that result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) go beyond the diagnosis itself. To fully understand a treatment for PTSD, understanding its impact on interpersonal, relational, and growth outcomes yields a more fulsome picture of the effects of the treatment. The current paper examines these secondary outcomes of a pilot trial of Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) for PTSD with MDMA. Six romantic dyads, where one partner had PTSD, undertook a course of treatment combining CBCT for PTSD with two MDMA psychotherapy sessions. Outcomes were assessed at mid-treatment, post-treatment, and 3- and 6-month follow-up. Both partners reported improvements in post-traumatic growth, relational support, and social intimacy. Partners reported reduced behavioral accommodation and conflict in the relationship, and patients with PTSD reported improved psychosocial functioning and empathic concern. These improvements were maintained throughout the follow-up period. These findings suggest that CBCT for PTSD with MDMA has significant effect on relational and growth outcomes in this pilot sample. Improvements in these domains is central to a holistic recovery from traumatic experiences, and lends support to the utility of treating PTSD dyadically.

Dyadic concordance and associations of beliefs with intentions to learn carrier results from genomic sequencing

Although romantic couple concordance has been demonstrated across a wide array of health behaviors, little research has examined dyadic concordance in health beliefs. This study examined the extent to which cohabitating romantic dyads’ attitudes and beliefs coincide (i.e., dyadic concordance) in addition to how well they predict intentions to learn genomic sequencing results. The actor-partner interdependence model was applied to cross-sectional data from 81 dyads in an exome sequencing study who were surveyed about their risk perceptions, worry, information avoidance, attitudes, and intentions toward learning carrier results. Information avoidance tendencies were positively correlated between partners, but there was low concordance on other beliefs. Individuals’ attitudes and information avoidance predicted their own intentions to learn results. Additionally, partners’ information avoidance tendencies predicted their partner’s intentions to learn results. Future research should explore mechanisms through which one’s partner’s information avoidance may affect one’s own intentions and behaviors.

DOES THE SENSE OF RELATIONAL ENTITLEMENT MEDIATE THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN NARCISSISM AND COUPLE CONFLICT?

"Previous literature pointed out that narcissism affects the quality of interpersonal relationships. It has a negative impact on the functioning of the romantic dyads, determining higher levels of conflict and the use of maladaptive conflict resolution styles. However, the mechanisms linking narcissism and couple conflict are not sufficiently explored. This study expands the literature by examining the mediating role of the sense of relational entitlement. Participants in this study were 493 individuals (52.1 % women, M age = 22.39 years old) who were in a romantic relationship during the study (M relationship length = 26 months). The results indicated that some forms of relational entitlement mediated the link between narcissism and couple conflict. A person’s narcissism was related to their level of couple conflict, excessive and assertive entitlement. Both types of entitlement were related to conflict but in opposite directions. Higher excessive entitlement was associated with higher conflict, while higher assertive entitlement was associated with lower conflict. The indirect effects through both types of entitlement were significant. Restricted entitlement was not associated with narcissism or couple conflict. This study showed that although narcissism can lead to higher levels of relational entitlement and conflict, not all forms of entitlement negatively contributed to couple conflict."

Partner intimate touch is associated with increased interpersonal closeness, especially in non-romantic partners

Relationship closeness promotes desirable health outcomes. Most interventions to increase relationship closeness are verbal, which may not suit all couples. We consider whether Orgasmic Meditation (OM), a structured, partnered, largely non-verbal practice that includes genital touch, also increases relationship closeness. We hypothesized that OM would increase feelings of closeness for both romantic and non-romantic partners. This is important, because intimate touch with non-romantic partners is commonly considered deleterious by clinicians, which may inadvertently increase feelings of shame. Dyads (n = 125) reported their feelings of closeness before and after OM. Approximately half of the participants were romantic partners, while the other half only engaged in OM together (non-romantic). Closeness after OM increased on average across participants. Non-romantic dyads increased self-other overlap more than romantic dyads. These data support that a partnered, largely non-verbal practice is associated with increased feelings of closeness in the moment, including for individuals who are not in a romantic relationship.

Common Ingroup Identity, Perceived Similarity, and Communal Interracial Relationships

Integrating theory on interpersonal relationships and intergroup relations, this research examined the role of common ingroup recategorization (i.e., perceiving outgroup members as belonging to the same superordinate group as oneself) in fostering communal interracial relationships. A cross-sectional study (Study 1) and a short-term intensive longitudinal study (Study 2) involving Black and White friendship and romantic dyads suggested that recategorization predicted greater communal motivation and security via perceived similarity. These effects were found in terms of both enduring characteristics and changes over time. In turn, communal motivation and security predicted greater self-reported prosocial behavior and relationship satisfaction, suggesting that they are beneficial to interracial relationship quality. Communal motivation also predicted increases over time in recategorization and perceived similarity, suggesting bidirectional effects. Taken together, these results suggest a reciprocal process in which common ingroup recategorization and perceptions of similarity promote and derive from the communal nature of interracial relationships.

Male Internalizing Heightens the Risk of Escalating Jealousy and Perceptions of Negativity in Romantic Relationships

The present study examined whether the spread of jealousy and negative relationship perceptions between romantic partners varies as a function of boyfriend and girlfriend internalizing symptoms. Participants included 152 emerging adults in 76 heterosexual romantic dyads. At least one partner was 17 years or older ( M = 19.52 years) at the outset. Participants completed reports twice, approximately 13 months apart. Dyadic analyses indicated that the spread of jealousy and negativity was moderated by boyfriend but not girlfriend internalizing symptoms. When boyfriends presented above average (but not below average) levels of internalizing symptoms, girlfriend perceptions of relationship negativity and jealousy predicted increases in boyfriend perceptions of the same. The findings underscore the risk that internalizing poses to negative affect contagion.