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Romantic Relationships (romantic + relationships)
Selected AbstractsRomantic Relationships Among Unmarried African Americans and Caribbean Blacks: Findings From the National Survey of American Life,FAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 2 2008Karen D. Lincoln Abstract: This study investigated the correlates of relationship satisfaction, marriage expectations, and relationship longevity among unmarried African American and Black Caribbean (Caribbean Black) adults who are in a romantic relationship. The study used data from the National Survey of American Life, a national representative sample of African Americans and Caribbean Blacks in the United States. The findings indicated that the correlates of relationship satisfaction, expectations of marriage, and relationship longevity were different for African Americans and Black Caribbeans. For Black Caribbeans, indicators of socioeconomic status were particularly important correlates of relationship satisfaction. For African Americans, indicators of parental status were important for relationship longevity. Policy and practice implications for nonmarital unions are discussed. [source] Romantic Relationships among Immigrant Adolescents1INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION REVIEW, Issue 2 2007Rosalind Berkowitz King We examine the importance of the family and friendship group as two crucial developmental contexts for adolescent relationship experiences. We focus particularly on immigrant adolescents who make up an increasing proportion of the youth population and who come from cultural contexts with stronger family traditions than native-born adolescents. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we model the characteristics associated with having romantic relationships and participating in sex-related activities within relationships for immigrant adolescents, children of immigrants and adolescents in native-born families. First generation adolescents are less likely to enter romantic relationships than adolescents in native-born families, but those who do participate engage in similar sex-related activities as native-born youth. This evidence suggests that immigrant youth who enter romantic relationships are selective of the more assimilated to native adolescent norms of heterosexual behavior. The peer group is especially important for immigrant adolescents because it provides opportunities for romantic relationship involvement. [source] Race/Ethnic Differences in the Marital Expectations of Adolescents: The Role of Romantic RelationshipsJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 3 2005Sarah R. Crissey I use a sample of 12,973 adolescents in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine race/ethnic differences in perception of the likelihood of marriage in adulthood and the role of heterosexual romantic relationship experience in explaining this difference. Compared to adolescents from other race/ethnic backgrounds, White adolescents are more likely to date and are especially more likely than Black adolescents to participate in serious romantic relationships that increase marital expectations. Although the type of current or recent relationship is associated with marital expectations, they do not explain the observed race/ethnic gap in these expectations. Overall, the results suggest that these adolescent romantic experiences likely play only a small role in determining differential marital expectations. [source] Trait-Specific Dependence in Romantic RelationshipsJOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 5 2002Bruce J. Ellis ABSTRACT Informed by three theoretical frameworks,trait psychology, evolutionary psychology, and interdependence theory,we report four investigations designed to develop and test the reliability and validity of a new construct and accompanying multiscale inventory, the Trait-Specific Dependence Inventory (TSDI). The TSDI assesses comparisons between present and alternative romantic partners on major dimensions of mate value. In Study 1, principal components analyses revealed that the provisional pool of theory-generated TSDI items were represented by six factors: Agreeable/Committed, Resource Accruing Potential, Physical Prowess, Emotional Stability, Surgency, and Physical Attractiveness. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis replicated these results on a different sample and tested how well different structural models fit the data. Study 3 provided evidence for the convergent and discriminant validity of the six TSDI scales by correlating each one with a matched personality trait scale that did not explicitly incorporate comparisons between partners. Study 4 provided further validation evidence, revealing that the six TSDI scales successfully predicted three relationship outcome measures,love, time investment, and anger/upset,above and beyond matched sets of traditional personality trait measures. These results suggest that the TSDI is a reliable, valid, and unique construct that represents a new trait-specific method of assessing dependence in romantic relationships. The construct of trait-specific dependence is introduced and linked with other theories of mate value. [source] Mixed-Gender Groups, Dating, and Romantic Relationships in Early AdolescenceJOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 2 2004Jennifer Connolly This study examined dating-stage and developmental-contextual models of romantic relationships during early adolescence. Same-gender friendships, affiliation with mixed-gender groups, dating, and romantic relationships were investigated in a sample of 1,284 young adolescents of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds. Data were collected cross-sectionally in Grades 5 through 8, as well as longitudinally in the fall and spring of an academic year. Consistent with a stage model, affiliation with mixed-gender groups and dating were qualitatively distinct activities that were sequentially organized and facilitated the progression from same-gender friendships to dyadic romantic relationships. The results also provide insights on how the developmental context may alter stage pathways: Dating activities were incorporated with mixed-gender affiliations, group-based romantic stages showed more stability than other stages, and the ethnocultural context influenced romantic timing. Finally, results indicated that participation in romantic activities heightened adolescents' future interest in having a romantic relationship. [source] Romantic relationships and the physical and mental health of college studentsPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 1 2010SCOTT R. BRAITHWAITE This study tested the hypothesis that, analogous to married individuals, college students in committed romantic relationships experience greater well-being than single college students. In a sample of 1,621 college students, individuals in committed relationships experienced fewer mental health problems and were less likely to be overweight/obese. There were no significant differences between groups in frequency of physical health problems. Examination of 2 models suggested that being in a committed romantic relationship decreases problematic outcomes largely through a reduction in sexual partners, which in turn decreases both risky behaviors and problematic outcomes. These results are discussed in the context of how premarital dating relationships may contribute to understanding of the observed association between marriage and well-being. [source] Attachment styles, conflict styles and humour styles: interrelationships and associations with relationship satisfactionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 2 2008Arnie Cann Abstract Relationships among attachment styles, conflict styles and humour styles were examined in the context of romantic relationships. Each style was assumed to be based upon underlying assumptions about self and others, so relationships among the measures were predicted. A model assuming that the relationship of attachment styles to relationship satisfaction was partially mediated by the conflict styles and humour styles was tested. Overall, the predicted relationships among the three measures were supported. Conflict styles and humour styles reflecting attitudes about others were related to the avoidance attachment style, while those reflecting attitudes about the self were related to the anxiety attachment dimension. Conflict styles and humour styles were mediators of the association of attachment style with relationship satisfaction. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Personality and social network effects on romantic relationships: a dyadic approachEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 4 2004Franz J. Neyer The quality of romantic relationships and their associations with both partners' personality traits and social networks were studied in 100 younger couples. The similarity of partners was modest with respect to personality traits, and moderate to large with respect to the perceived quality of the partner relationship and their social networks. While similarity in personality was unrelated to relationship quality, dyadic analyses showed that one's perceived quality of relationship was better predicted by one's own personality (i.e. actor effects) than by the personality of one's partner (i.e. partner effects). Moreover, relationship quality could to some extent be predicted by the quality of the social network once the personality traits of each partner were controlled. Results are discussed from a transactional view of personality and relationships. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] "I was more her Mom than she was mine:" Role Reversal in a Community Sample,FAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 1 2004Ofra Mayseless Family processes associated with childhood role reversal and related adult outcomes were examined in a community sample (128 adults) using a semistructured interview exploring family, friend, and romantic relationships. Women showed stronger role reversal than men, and role reversal was stronger with mothers than with fathers. Role reversal of women with mothers was associated with parental divorce, neglect, and rejection. Only parental divorce was consistently associated with men's role reversal. Role reversal was not associated with current symptoms for either men or women, nor with attachment orientations for women. Three patterns with distinct family dynamics and outcomes,guardians/protectors, pleasers/compliants, and spousified,emerged from qualitative analyses of 16 women who experienced high levels of childhood role reversal. [source] Romantic Relationships among Immigrant Adolescents1INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION REVIEW, Issue 2 2007Rosalind Berkowitz King We examine the importance of the family and friendship group as two crucial developmental contexts for adolescent relationship experiences. We focus particularly on immigrant adolescents who make up an increasing proportion of the youth population and who come from cultural contexts with stronger family traditions than native-born adolescents. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we model the characteristics associated with having romantic relationships and participating in sex-related activities within relationships for immigrant adolescents, children of immigrants and adolescents in native-born families. First generation adolescents are less likely to enter romantic relationships than adolescents in native-born families, but those who do participate engage in similar sex-related activities as native-born youth. This evidence suggests that immigrant youth who enter romantic relationships are selective of the more assimilated to native adolescent norms of heterosexual behavior. The peer group is especially important for immigrant adolescents because it provides opportunities for romantic relationship involvement. [source] Obsessive,compulsive disorder and romantic functioningJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 12 2007Richard D. Abbey The current study examined the romantic relationships of individuals with obsessive,compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants were 64 individuals recruited from a national conference who completed measures of OCD symptoms, depressive symptoms, intimacy, self-disclosure, relationship satisfaction, and relationship worry. Severity of obsessions was negatively correlated with intimacy, relationship satisfaction, and self-disclosure. In contrast, two compulsive behaviors (washing and neutralizing) were positively correlated with several relationship variables. Fears of contamination from sexual activity were positively correlated with the severity of OCD symptoms. The clinical implications of the findings from this study and suggestions for future research are presented. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 63: 1181,1192, 2007. [source] Looking for Gender: Gender Roles and Behaviors Among Online GamersJOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION, Issue 4 2009Dmitri Williams Several hypotheses regarding the importance of gender and relationships were tested by combining a large survey dataset with unobtrusive behavioral data from 1 year of play. Consistent with expectations, males played for achievement-oriented reasons and were more aggressive, especially within romantic relationships where both partners played. Female players in such relationships had higher general happiness than their male counterparts. Contrary to stereotypes and current hypotheses, it was the female players who played the most. Female players were also healthier than male players or females in the general population. The findings have implications for gender theory and communication-oriented methods in games and online research,most notably for the use of self-reported time spent, which was systematically incorrect and different by gender. Looking for Gender: Gender Roles and Behaviors Among Online Gamers Several hypotheses regarding the importance of gender and relationships were tested by combining a large survey dataset with unobtrusive behavioral data from 1 year of play. Consistent with expectations,males played for achievement-oriented reasons and weremore aggressive, especially within romantic relationships where both partners played. Female players in such relationships had higher general happiness than their male counterparts. Contrary to stereotypes and current hypotheses, it was the female players who played the most. Female players were also healthier than male players or females in the general population. The findings have implications for gender theory and communication-oriented methods in games and online research,most notably for the use of self-reported time spent, which was systematically incorrect and different by gender. Die Suche nach dem Geschlecht: Geschlechterrollen und Verhaltensweisen von Online-Spielern Mittels der Kombination von großen Umfragedatensets und unauffälligen Verhaltensdaten über ein Jahr Spielzeit wurden mehrere Hypothesen zu Geschlecht und Beziehungen getestet. Konsistent mit den Erwartungen spielen Männer aus Leistungsgründen und waren außerdem aggressiver, besonders in romantischen Beziehungen, in denen beide Partner spielten. Weibliche Spieler in solchen Beziehungen waren glücklicher als ihre männlichen Gegenüber. Entgegen der Stereotype und aktuellen Hypothesen spielten Frauen am meisten. Spielerinnen waren außerdem gesünder als männliche Spieler oder Frauen in der allgemeinen Bevölkerung. Diese Ergebnisse haben Implikationen für die Geschlechtertheorie und kommunikationsorientierte Methoden in Spiele- und Online-Forschung , insbesondere was selbstberichtete Spielzeit angeht, die systematisch falsch und nach Geschlecht verschieden war. Buscando el Género: Los Roles de Género y los Comportamientos entre los Jugadores Online Dmitri Williams1, Mia Consalvo2, Scott Caplan3, & Nick Yee4 Resumen Varias hipótesis acerca de la importancia del género y las relaciones fueron puestas a prueba mediante la combinación de un grupo de datos de una encuesta extensa de comportamientos discretos de un año de juego. Consistentes con las expectaciones, los hombres jugaron por razones orientadas al éxito y fueron más agresivos, especialmente dentro de las relaciones románticas donde ambas partes jugaron. Las jugadoras mujeres en esas relaciones tenían mayor felicidad que sus contrincantes hombres. Contrario a los estereotipos y las hipótesis corrientes, las mujeres jugadoras fueron las que jugaron más. Las jugadoras mujeres fueron también más saludables que los jugadores hombres o la población femenina en general. Los hallazgos tienen implicancias para la teoría de género y los métodos orientados a la comunicación en los juegos y la investigación online,más notable por su uso de los auto-reportes del tiempo empleado, los cuales fueron sistemáticamente incorrectos y diferentes para cada género. [source] Does Misery Love Company?JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION, Issue 4 2006Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of TV Viewing on Regretted Experiences Testing hypotheses derived from regret and mood management theories, this research explores how regretted experiences impact interest in viewing experience-relevant TV programming and such viewing's effects on program enjoyment and felt regret. One hundred and forty-four participants, half of whom had been unfaithful in romantic relationships, were asked first to rate their interest in viewing a series of storylines and then to provide their reactions to 1 of 2 versions of a TV program depicting cheating behavior. Largely consistent with hypotheses, results indicated that those who had both cheated and felt regret about their behavior were more likely than others to want to watch experience-related storylines, were no less likely to enjoy watching such programming, and particularly preferred viewing the program version in which the main character rationalized, rather than expressed regret for, her behavior. Both program versions, however, reduced regret equally. A survey of 206 city residents also offered evidence consistent with predictions based on regret theory. Overall, this research speaks to the value of integrating theories of emotion with media theory to enhance the latter's predictive ability. [source] Respect and the FamilyJOURNAL OF FAMILY THEORY & REVIEW, Issue 2 2010Susan S. Hendrick Respect is an important construct that plays a major role in interpersonal relations at the dyadic, family, and group levels. We review the multiple definitions of respect and build a model of respect. On the basis of general developmental family theory, we discuss respect in dyadic romantic relationships and in the family. Cultural aspects of respect are presented, and the article concludes with a proposed agenda for future research on respect in the family. [source] Race/Ethnic Differences in the Marital Expectations of Adolescents: The Role of Romantic RelationshipsJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 3 2005Sarah R. Crissey I use a sample of 12,973 adolescents in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine race/ethnic differences in perception of the likelihood of marriage in adulthood and the role of heterosexual romantic relationship experience in explaining this difference. Compared to adolescents from other race/ethnic backgrounds, White adolescents are more likely to date and are especially more likely than Black adolescents to participate in serious romantic relationships that increase marital expectations. Although the type of current or recent relationship is associated with marital expectations, they do not explain the observed race/ethnic gap in these expectations. Overall, the results suggest that these adolescent romantic experiences likely play only a small role in determining differential marital expectations. [source] Parental Divorce and Premarital Couples: Commitment and Other Relationship CharacteristicsJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 3 2001Susan E. Jacquet Parental divorce is thought to affect the romantic relationships of young adults, especially with respect to their certainty about the relationship and perceptions of problems in it. We examined these connections with a random sample of 464 coupled partners. Compared with women from intact families, women from divorced families reported less trust and satisfaction, but more ambivalence and conflict. For men, perceptions of relationships were contingent on the marital status of their partners' parents, although men from intact and divorced families did differ on structural constraints that affect commitment. Young adults who were casually dating showed the strongest effects of parental divorce, suggesting that the repercussions of parental divorce may be in place before the young adults form their own romantic relationships. [source] Personal Characteristics and Resilience to Economic Hardship and Its Consequences: Conceptual Issues and Empirical IllustrationsJOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 6 2009M. Brent Donnellan ABSTRACT This article describes a theoretical model that links personal characteristics with resilience to economic hardship and its psychological and interpersonal consequences. This transactional model integrates social influence and social selection perspectives concerning the relation between socioeconomic circumstances and the development of individuals and families. In addition, this article discusses methodological and conceptual issues related to investigating the effects of personal characteristics in this context. Finally, initial empirical support for some of the key predictions from the proposed model are provided using longitudinal data collected from a sample of Midwestern families. Specifically, adolescent academic achievement, self-reports of Conscientiousness, and self-reports of low Neuroticism during adolescence predicted relevant outcomes in adulthood such as less economic pressure, more satisfying romantic relationships, and less harsh parenting behaviors. These preliminary findings support the hypothesized model and extend research concerning the life course outcomes associated with personal characteristics. [source] Trait-Specific Dependence in Romantic RelationshipsJOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 5 2002Bruce J. Ellis ABSTRACT Informed by three theoretical frameworks,trait psychology, evolutionary psychology, and interdependence theory,we report four investigations designed to develop and test the reliability and validity of a new construct and accompanying multiscale inventory, the Trait-Specific Dependence Inventory (TSDI). The TSDI assesses comparisons between present and alternative romantic partners on major dimensions of mate value. In Study 1, principal components analyses revealed that the provisional pool of theory-generated TSDI items were represented by six factors: Agreeable/Committed, Resource Accruing Potential, Physical Prowess, Emotional Stability, Surgency, and Physical Attractiveness. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis replicated these results on a different sample and tested how well different structural models fit the data. Study 3 provided evidence for the convergent and discriminant validity of the six TSDI scales by correlating each one with a matched personality trait scale that did not explicitly incorporate comparisons between partners. Study 4 provided further validation evidence, revealing that the six TSDI scales successfully predicted three relationship outcome measures,love, time investment, and anger/upset,above and beyond matched sets of traditional personality trait measures. These results suggest that the TSDI is a reliable, valid, and unique construct that represents a new trait-specific method of assessing dependence in romantic relationships. The construct of trait-specific dependence is introduced and linked with other theories of mate value. [source] Consequences of an Adolescent Onset and Persistent Course of Alcohol Dependence in Men: Adolescent Risk Factors and Adult OutcomesALCOHOLISM, Issue 5 2010Brian M. Hicks Background:, While there is an extensive literature on the correlates of alcohol use disorders (AUD; alcohol abuse and dependence), there are relatively few prospective studies of representative birth cohorts that have examined the unique effects of an adolescent onset and persistent course of AUD on a wide range of psychosocial variables. Methods:, A longitudinal, community-based sample of 530 men was used to examine the impact of an adolescent onset (AUD+ at age 17) and persistent course (AUD+ at age 29) of AUD on adolescent and adult functioning including substance use, antisocial behavior, mental health problems, overall psychosocial functioning, environmental risk and protective factors, and social outcomes such as peer and romantic relationships, marriage, educational and occupational attainment, and parenthood. Results:, An adolescent onset of AUD (n = 57) was associated with severe deficits across multiple domains of psychosocial functioning in adolescence. Measures of behavioral disinhibition in adolescence were strong predictors of a persistent course of AUD (n = 93). Nearly 40% of men with an adolescent onset were able to desist by age 29, and were similar, but not identical to men who never experienced an AUD in terms of adult functioning. Men with an adolescent onset and persistent course of AUD exhibited the most severe deficits in functioning. Conclusion:, Results emphasize the importance of examining developmental course to understand the etiology of AUD. Our findings are optimistic in that individuals who desist from AUD are able to achieve high levels of psychosocial functioning. Our findings suggest that future research on the persistence of AUD into adulthood should focus on the contributions of behavioral disinhibition and social environment variables including peer and romantic relationships. [source] Sexual-Minority and Heterosexual Youths' Peer Relationships: Experiences, Expectations, and Implications for Well-BeingJOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 3 2004Lisa M. Diamond The current study compared the peer relationships and well-being of 60 sexual-minority (i.e., nonheterosexual) and 65 heterosexual youths between the ages of 15 and 23. Sexual-minority youths had comparable self-esteem, mastery, and perceived stress as did heterosexuals, but greater negative affect. Younger sexual-minority male adolescents had smaller overall peer networks than did young male heterosexuals, whereas older male and female sexual minorities had larger numbers of extremely close friends within their networks than did heterosexuals. Younger sexual-minority adolescents had lost or drifted away from more friends than did heterosexuals. Regardless of age, sexual-minority youths reported disproportionately high worries about losing friends, low feelings of control in their romantic relationships, and fears of never finding the type of romantic relationship they wanted. Sexual-minority youths that were "out" to more heterosexual peers had larger peer networks but more friendship loss and friendship worries. Youths' relationship experiences and concerns mediated sexual identity differences in negative affect. [source] Mixed-Gender Groups, Dating, and Romantic Relationships in Early AdolescenceJOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 2 2004Jennifer Connolly This study examined dating-stage and developmental-contextual models of romantic relationships during early adolescence. Same-gender friendships, affiliation with mixed-gender groups, dating, and romantic relationships were investigated in a sample of 1,284 young adolescents of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds. Data were collected cross-sectionally in Grades 5 through 8, as well as longitudinally in the fall and spring of an academic year. Consistent with a stage model, affiliation with mixed-gender groups and dating were qualitatively distinct activities that were sequentially organized and facilitated the progression from same-gender friendships to dyadic romantic relationships. The results also provide insights on how the developmental context may alter stage pathways: Dating activities were incorporated with mixed-gender affiliations, group-based romantic stages showed more stability than other stages, and the ethnocultural context influenced romantic timing. Finally, results indicated that participation in romantic activities heightened adolescents' future interest in having a romantic relationship. [source] The differential effects of parental divorce and marital conflict on young adult romantic relationshipsPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 3 2010MING CUI The differential effects of parental divorce and marital conflict on young adult children's romantic relationships were examined in this short-term longitudinal study. Using a sample of 285 young adults, structural equation modeling supported the hypothesis that parental divorce and marital conflict were independently associated with young adult children's romantic relationships through different mechanisms: Parental divorce was associated with young adults' low level of relationship quality through a negative attitude toward marriage (positive attitude toward divorce) and lack of commitment to their own current relationships. However, marital conflict was associated with young adults' low level of relationship quality through their conflict behavior with their partner. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for future research. [source] Perceived versus reported social referent approval and romantic relationship commitment and persistencePERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 3 2008PAUL E. ETCHEVERRY The current study examined social network influence processes on romantic relationship outcomes by obtaining the reported opinions of social referents as well as romantic relationship members' perceptions of social network members' opinions. Participants were 254 (151 women) college students from the United States involved in romantic relationships along with a male and female friend who all completed surveys regarding the participants' romantic relationship. This work demonstrated that perceived normative beliefs of social network members significantly mediated the effects of reported social network approval on relationship commitment. Participants' reports of relationship commitment were found to mediate the effect of subjective norms on relationship persistence. Along with network members' relationship approval, participants' satisfaction was found to predict participants' normative beliefs. [source] Conceptualization and assessment of disengagement in romantic relationshipsPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 3 2008ROBIN A. BARRY Research examining relationship distress and dissolution highlights the importance of romantic disengagement. Nevertheless, prior conceptualizations and measures of romantic disengagement have tended to combine disengagement with related but distinct constructs hindering the study of romantic disengagement. The present research used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to clarify the conceptualization of romantic disengagement and to develop a novel measure,the Romantic Disengagement Scale (RDS). The RDS demonstrated adequate fit across samples of dating individuals (n = 203), married couples (n = 77), and women in physically aggressive relationships (n = 42) from the Midwestern United States. The RDS also demonstrated strong divergent and incremental validity. The discussion focuses on implications for enhancing conceptual models, research methodology, and clinical interventions. [source] Differential parenting and sibling jealousy: Developmental correlates of young adults' romantic relationshipsPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 4 2007AMY J. RAUER Data from a survey of 200 young adults assessed whether the early nonshared environment, specifically parental differential treatment, was associated with romantic relationship distress through its effects on sibling jealousy, attachment styles, and self-esteem. Individuals who received equal affection from their parents in comparison to their sibling reported equal jealousy between themselves and their sibling, had higher self-esteem, more secure attachment styles, and less romantic relationship distress. Receiving differential parental affection, regardless of whether the participant or their sibling was favored, was associated with more negative models of self and others, which in turn were associated with greater romantic relationship distress. Results indicate that early within-family experiences may be particularly relevant for later healthy romantic relationship functioning. [source] Gender and relationships: Influences on agentic and communal behaviorsPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 1 2004Eun Jung Suh The present research examined the moderating influence of situations involving friends and romantic partners on gender differences in interpersonal behaviors reflecting agency and communion. Behavior was studied in three situations varying in social role and dyadic gender composition: same-sex friendships, opposite-sex friendships, and romantic relationships. To obtain multiple events representing each relationship situation, participants recorded information about their interpersonal interactions during a 20-day period using an event-contingent recording procedure. Results indicated gender differences consistent with gender stereotypes when men and women were interacting with same-sex friends; men with men were more dominant and women with women were more agreeable. In interactions with romantic partners, gender differences in communal behavior were opposite to gender stereotypes; women were less agreeable and more quarrelsome than men with their romantic partners. Results are considered in reference to developmental socialization theory, social role theory, and studies of gender differences in marital relationships. [source] Implicit theories of relationships: Implications for relationship satisfaction and longevityPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 4 2002Renae Franiuk The role of implicit theories in romantic relationships was investigated in two studies. People holding a soulmate theory, who believed that finding the right person is most important for a satisfying relationship, were compared to people holding a work,it,out theory, who believed that effort is most important for building a successful relationship. In Study 1, college students (N = 527) completed a set of questionnaires, including measures of relationship theories and functioning within romantic relationships. Approximately 8 months later, a subset of these students (N = 176) completed a second set of questionnaires for Study 1. The implicit theories were highly stable over time (r = .74). For soulmate theorists, feelings that one's specific partner is ideal predicted relationship satisfaction and relationship longevity to a greater extent than for work,it,out theorists. Whereas Study 1 investigated people's theories of relationships as ends of a bipolar continuum, a separate study explored people's theories of relationships as two unipolar dimensions. Findings from Study 2 (N = 266) supported a representation of the theories as two negatively correlated factors, and supported findings from Study 1 highlighting the role of the interaction between the relationship theories and partner fit in predicting relationship satisfaction. [source] Respect in close relationships: Prototype definition, self-report assessment, and initial correlatesPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 2 2002Jennifer R. Frei Researchers who study romantic relationships have mentioned respect as a factor contributing to relationship success, but little effort has been made to define respect, measure it, or discover how it relates to other relationship constructs. In Study 1 a prototype methodology was used to identify consensual features of respect. Participants in Study 2 rated the centrality of the features of respect and completed a new prototype-based respect-for-partner scale that was highly reliable and correlated in predictable ways with avoidant attachment and evaluative aspects of partner descriptions. In Study 3, the new respect scale predicted relationship satisfaction better than scales measuring liking, loving, attachment-related anxiety and avoidance, and positive and negative partner qualities. Suggestions are offered for future research on respect. [source] When does performance feedback prompt complementarity in romantic relationships?PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, Issue 3 2001STEVEN R. H. BEACH Two studies addressed five issues concerning complementarity in romantic relationships and suggest that complementarity deserves a new look. Dating couples (N= 28 couples) and married couples (N= 43). were given performance feedback to assess effects on self and perceived partner relevance. We found that comparison with a partner but not comparison with a stranger prompted complementarity (Study 1). Comparison resulted in complementarity and did not merely change self-image (Studies 1 and 2). Both outperforming the partner and being outperformed by the partner can prompt complementarity (Study 2). Ceding areas to the partner in response to being outperformed was relatively automatic (Study 2). And, degree of development in the relationship influenced response to comparison-feedback (Studies 1 and 2). Findings suggest that partners in romantic relationships automatically protect their views of the relationship as a "team" by increasing "perceived complementarity" in response to differential performance feedback. [source] Boyfriends, Girlfriends and Teenagers' Risk of Sexual InvolvementPERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, Issue 2 2006Barbara VanOss Marín CONTEXT: Having a boyfriend or girlfriend, especially an older one, is associated with increased sexual risk in early adolescence. The mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. METHODS: Middle school students in Northern California were surveyed annually from 1997 to 2000. For a sample of 1,214 males and 1,308 females who were sexually inexperienced in seventh grade, logistic and linear regression were used to explore associations between relationship status in seventh grade and sexual activity in ninth grade, controlling for sixth-grade and eighth-grade characteristics. RESULTS: Males who had had a girlfriend their age by seventh grade were more likely than those who had had no relationship to report sexual activity in ninth grade (odds ratio, 2.1). Similarly, for females, the odds of being sexually active in ninth grade were elevated among those who had had a boyfriend their age (2.9); however, they also were higher among those who had had an older boyfriend than among those who had had one their age (2.1). With sixth-grade risk factors controlled, relationship status in seventh grade remained significant only for females; the association was explained by early menarche and by participation in situations that could lead to sex and riskier peer norms in eighth grade. For males, eighth-grade situations that could lead to sex, Hispanic ethnicity and sixth-grade peer norms explained ninth-grade sexual behavior. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce the risk of adolescent sexual activity, parents and communities should encourage youth in middle school, especially females who experience early menarche, to delay serious romantic relationships. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||