Journal of Social and Personal Relationships recent issues

Young women's attachment style and interpersonal engagement with female TV stars

Greenwood, D. N., Pietromonaco, P. R., Long, C. R. — 2008-06-18

The present study builds on an emerging body of research that finds adult attachment style predictive of interpersonal engagement with fictional media personas in ways that are congruent to patterns that emerge in real life relationships. Results of a questionnaire study indicate that a preoccupied attachment style among college women is associated with increased idealization of a favorite female character's behavior and physical appearance. Additionally, the desire to look like a favorite female character was greatest for women selecting thin characters, while perceived similarity to a character's appearance was greatest for those selecting average weight characters. The psychological motivation behind such media involvement and its potential impact on the emotional well being of anxiously attached young women are discussed.

Intimacy in adolescent friendship: The roles of attachment, coherence, and self-disclosure

Bauminger, N., Finzi-Dottan, R., Chason, S., Har-Even, D. — 2008-06-18

This study examined attachment, coherence, and self-disclosure as predictors of intimacy in adolescent friendships as well as the extent to which coherence and disclosure mediate the relationship between attachment and intimacy. Gender and grade-level effects on intimacy development were also examined for one hundred ninety-six seventh, eighth and ninth grade students (116 boys and 80 girls). Attachment, coherence, and disclosure strongly predicted intimacy. Self-disclosure and coherence also interacted to influence intimacy where a tendency toward self-disclosure contributes to intimacy to a greater extent at low (when compared to high) levels of coherence. Structural Equation Modeling indicated that only coherence and self-disclosure had a direct effect on intimacy. Avoidant and anxious attachment had an indirect affect on intimacy, and were mediated by coherence and disclosure. Clinical implications of the results are discussed.

Attachment stability and change during adolescence: A longitudinal application of the Social Relations Model

Buist, K. L., Reitz, E., Dekovic, M. — 2008-06-18

An important issue in attachment theory and research is explaining individual differences in attachment quality. In this study, we examined (i) the relative importance of individual, dyadic, and family characteristics in explaining attachment quality differences and (ii) changes in the importance of these characteristics during adolescence. We examined these questions by applying the Social Relations Model to two-wave longitudinal data. Two parents and two adolescents from 210 families reported their attachment relationships with other family members. Results showed that differences in quality of attachment are best explained by the adolescent's internal working model (individual) and by relationship-specific (dyadic) characteristics. We found few longitudinal changes, indicating stability in these attachment processes. Implications of these results and important directions for future research are discussed.

Objective ratings of relationship skills across multiple domains as predictors of marital satisfaction trajectories

2008-06-18

Expanding upon social-learning and vulnerability-stress-adaptation approaches to marriage, the impact of multiple dyadic behaviors on marital satisfaction trajectories was examined in 101 couples. Semi-structured interviews were administered separately to husbands and wives at three months of marriage. Interviewers generated objective ratings for five domains: emotional closeness/intimacy, sexual intimacy/sensuality, interspousal support, decision-making/relational control, and communication/conflict management. Marital satisfaction was assessed four times over three years. Dyadic behaviors were associated with initial levels and rates of change in satisfaction, demonstrating the unique contributions of each relational skill on marital development. For husbands, sexual intimacy was the strongest predictor of change whereas for wives, communication/conflict management was the strongest predictor of change compared to other domains. Theoretical, methodological and clinical implications are discussed.

The content of relational uncertainty within marriage

Knobloch, L. K. — 2008-06-18

Two studies were conducted to examine relational uncertainty within marriage. Study 1 gathered open-ended data from 85 individuals to identify issues spouses are unsure about. Findings indicated 12 content areas, including uncertainty about children, communication, career issues, finances, health, commitment, extended family, sex, retirement, religious beliefs, leisure time, and household chores (RQ1). Only the commitment theme paralleled the doubts salient in dating relationships (RQ2). Study 2 surveyed 125 couples to develop self-report measures of the themes. Hierarchical linear modeling results revealed negative associations between relational uncertainty and marital quality (RQ3, RQ5). The self source (RQ4) and the communication and sex themes (RQ6) were the strongest predictors of marital quality. These findings illuminate the nuances of relational uncertainty within marriage.

The contribution of captivity and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to marital adjustment of Israeli couples

Dekel, R., Enoch, G., Solomon, Z. — 2008-06-18

This study examined marital adjustment and relations among couples where husbands had been a prisoner-of-war (i.e., POW) and couples where husbands were veterans, but not POWs. The study also examined the relative contribution of the husband's post-traumatic stress disorder (i.e., PTSD) and POW experience to both spouses' marital adjustment. Results from 157 couples (85 former POWs and spouses as well as 72 veterans but not POWs and their spouses as controls) indicated that former POW couples had lower marital adjustment, sexual satisfaction, and self-disclosure, and higher verbal abuse than the control couples. Captivity indirectly influenced the husband's marital adjustment through his PTSD. In turn, PTSD had an indirect effect on both spouses' marital adjustment, fully mediated through marital relations variables.

Reshaping marital power: How dual-career newlywed couples create equality in Singapore

Quek, K. M.-T., Knudson-Martin, C. — 2008-06-18

Movement toward gender equality occurs in incremental steps, but how such change occurs has not been well studied. A qualitative analysis of 20 heterosexual Singaporean couples identified the processes that equalize power within couple relationships. Results reveal that (i) prioritizing women's careers encourages men to change role expectations, take on household tasks, value wives' contributions and emotionally attend to them, and encourages women to seek influence, and (ii) the shift toward equality occurs within a gender structure where men retain the ultimate choice regarding power shifts and wives find ways to influence them. Though the shifts are gradual and partial, they constitute potential recalibrations of institutional gender hierarchy as new expectations flow between couple relationships and the larger social arena.

Incorporating personality into the investment model: Probing commitment processes across individual differences in narcissism

Foster, J. D. — 2008-04-03

The investment model (Rusbult, 1980) proposes that commitment is maintained by three mechanisms: Satisfaction, perceived quality of alternatives, and investment. Research suggests that the influence of these mechanisms is largely constant across a variety of individual differences and relational contexts. However, no published research has tested this with respect to personality. The present study did so using the personality trait of narcissism. The results suggest that narcissism indeed moderates the investment model (i.e., mechanisms had greater influence on commitment in highly narcissistic individuals). Discussion focuses on the implications of these results for narcissism, commitment, and the investment model. Also discussed is the importance of identifying and examining additional moderators of the investment model. Suggestions for future research are provided.

You can degrade but you can't hit: Differences in perceptions of psychological versus physical aggression

Capezza, N. M., Arriaga, X. B. — 2008-04-03

This study fills two major gaps in the partner aggression literature. First, little is known about perceptions of psychological aggression. Second, it is unclear whether any physical aggression or just high physical aggression is perceived to be negative and severe. We conducted an experiment with college students (N = 212) to examine perceptions of a hypothetical marital conflict that varied the husband's level of physical aggression (absent, low, high) and psychological aggression (low, high). The effect of manipulating the husband's physical aggression led to robust main effects on perceptions of negativity and severity. The distinction between any versus low or high physical aggression depended on the variable. The effect of manipulating the husband's psychological aggression was not nearly as robust.

Pet dogs as attachment figures

Kurdek, L. A. — 2008-04-03

Four samples of college students (N = 923) were used to address the extent to which pet dogs, relative to humans, exhibited features of an attachment figure and to identify characteristics of persons with strong attachments to their pet dogs. Dogs exhibited the feature of proximity maintenance as well as fathers and siblings did, and secure basis and proximity maintenance were their most salient features. Differences in the closeness of relationships with dogs versus humans were minimal for students with high levels of attachment to their dogs. Attachment was positively linked to involvement in the care for the dog, the extent to which the dog met needs regarding relatedness, owner traits of openness, and dog traits of energy and intelligence.

Positive marital illusions and culture: American and Turkish spouses' perceptions of their marriages

Fowers, B. J., Fisiloglu, H., Procacci, E. K. — 2008-04-03

This study investigated the degree to which positive illusions about one's spouse and marriage are a universal feature of human cognitions about marriage or are culturally moderated. Positive marital illusions were compared across three samples (49 American spouses, 58 Turkish spouses in nonconsanguineous marriages, and 56 Turkish spouses in consanguineous marriages). Positive illusions were assessed by comparing positive and negative trait ratings of the spouse and the generalized other. The positive trait ratings were consistent with the cultural moderation hypothesis and inconsistent with the universal account. The three groups differed in how positively they rated the generalized other. The negative trait ratings supported the universal theory of positive illusions. These results add to the growing evidence that culture moderates positive illusions.

Social support as a predictor of school bonding and academic motivation following the transition to Italian middle school

Schneider, B. H., Tomada, G., Normand, S., Tonci, E., de Domini, P. — 2008-04-03

After five years in elementary schools with small classes and stimulation of basic thinking skills, Italian children move to very traditional scuola media. Data obtained from 434 Italian pupils revealed that school bonding and academic motivation declined sharply after this transition. Social support by parents, but not friends, was a predictor of school bonding and academic motivation. There was little consistent evidence of compensatory processes: Support by a friend did not generally compensate for negative relationships with parents. However, there were some indications that a positive relationship with one parent might compensate for negative interactions with the other parent. Our findings suggest that parental social support has a unique function in bolstering school bonding and academic motivation after the transition to scuola media.

Girls' cognitions of hypothetical friends: Are they related to depression, loneliness, social anxiety and perceived similarity?

Romero, L. E., Epkins, C. C. — 2008-04-03

We examined in 100 girls whether girls' depression, loneliness, social anxiety, and perceived similarity were related to their cognitions of hypothetical friends (prosocial, withdrawn/ depressed, and aggressive). Depression, loneliness, and social anxiety were each related to various friend-related cognitions, but only social anxiety and loneliness had unique relations when these three internalizing problems were examined simultaneously and with perceived similarity. After accounting for the three internalizing constructs, perceived similarity was related to higher wanting to be friends with and perceived acceptance from all three hypothetical friends, lower not wanting aggressive girls as friends, and lower expected rejection by prosocial girls. Findings highlight the importance of perceived similarity, and the importance of examining depression, loneliness, and social anxiety simultaneously, when assessing girls' friendship-related cognitions.

Assessments of disclosure from the in-laws: Links among disclosure topics, family privacy orientations, and relational quality

Morr Serewicz, M. C., Canary, D. J. — 2008-04-03

This study investigated newlyweds' perceptions of private disclosures received from their in-laws and the outcomes of such disclosures for their familial relationships. In Study 1, 271 married individuals participated in a study designed to develop scales measuring relevant variables. Participants in Study 2 were 107 recently married individuals who completed online questionnaires. Results indicated that in-laws' disclosure regarding acceptance of the participant positively influences relational outcomes, whereas in-laws' slanderous disclosure about family members negatively influences relational outcomes. In-laws' disclosures about relational trouble and about the family's historical identity also influence relational outcomes, and, in some cases, those relationships are moderated by family privacy orientation of the participant. Perceived in-group status within the in-laws' family was positively correlated with in-law satisfaction.

Understandings of children's influence in parent--child relationships: A Q-methodological study

De Mol, J., Buysse, A. — 2008-04-03

Bidirectional models of interpersonal influence in parent—child relationships underscore the influence of children on their parents. Following a social constructionist perspective, the present study uses Q methodology to explore meanings and beliefs concerning children's influence among members of the Belgian-Flemish culture. Children and adults each performed the Q-sorting tasks that were analysed separately. Q-factor analysis of the children-sorts produced five factors and six factors for the adults. These analyses revealed that a central understanding of children's influence for children and adults is the recognition of the full person and partnership of the child in the relationship. Children's responses focus on the responsiveness of the parents and stress that parents learn from them. Adults' responses emphasize the massiveness of children's influence on the parents' personal development.

Book review: Floyd, K. (2006). Communicating affection: Interpersonal behavior and social context. New York: Cambridge University Press. 234 pp. ISBN 13: 9780521832052; ISBN 10: 0521832055 (hardback), $80.00

Manusov, V. — 2008-04-03

Book review: Connor, M. E., & White, J. L. (Eds). (2006). Black fathers: An invisible presence in America. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. 277 pages. ISBN 0805845100 (paperback), $29.95

Roisman, G. I. — 2008-04-03

Book review: Kenny, D. A., Kashy, D.A., & Cook, W. L. (2006). Dyadic data analysis. New York: Cambridge University Press. 443 pages. ISBN 10: 1572309865 (hardback), $52.00

Braz, M. E. — 2008-04-03

Redoing gender through divorce

Walzer, S. — 2008-02-19

Much theoretical and empirical scholarship suggests that in heterosexual marriage, norms for work and love are differentiated by gender. Grounded in an inductive analysis of archival interview data from the 1980s, this article suggests that gendered processes, relatively unrecognized as married people enact them day to day, are identified and revised in retrospective accounts of divorced people. I describe four areas of gender differentiation institutionalized in marriage — breadwinning, housework, parenting, and emotional expression — and offer the concept of "redoing" gender to capture the process of repudiating previous forms of gender accountability. If marriage is a site for "doing" gender, for some people, divorce generates "redoing" in the sense that they change their expectations for masculine and feminine behavior in families.

The ex-files: Trajectories, turning points, and adjustment in the development of post-dissolutional relationships

Kellas, J. K., Bean, D., Cunningham, C., Ka Yun Cheng, — 2008-02-19

Relational scholars often focus on relational life cycles, including the ways in which relationships come apart. The idea that relationships end at a particular stage, however, suggests that former partners no longer communicate. The current study extends the relationship life cycle literature by examining nonmarital post-dissolutional romantic relationships (PDRs). Participants (N = 174) completed written questionnaires gathering PDR turning point descriptions and graphs using a modified Retrospective Interview Technique. Turning point graphs revealed four different trajectory types: Linear Process, Relational Decline, Upward Relational Progression, and Turbulent Relational Progression, which were characterized by 10 categories of turning points. Those with linear trajectories reported the least amount of difficulty adjusting, and those with upward relational progress trajectories reported the highest quality PDRs.

Differences between partners from Black and White heterosexual dating couples in a path model of relationship commitment

Kurdek, L. A. — 2008-02-19

Both partners from Black and White dating heterosexual couples (Ns = 111 and 535, respectively) were compared on mean levels of eight variables from a model of relationship commitment as well as on the strength of the links posited by the model. Although mean differences by race were found for seven of the variables, all effects were small in size. Direct, indirect, and cross-partner links were generally stronger for females than for males for the total sample but did not differ by race for either males or females. Findings support the view that despite slight racial differences in mean levels of relationship-oriented variables, the variables linked to relationship functioning are similar for Black and White partners from dating couples.

Relationship social comparison tendencies, insecurity, and perceived relationship quality

Smith LeBeau, L., Buckingham, J. T. — 2008-02-19

Three studies examine associations between relationship social comparison (RSC) tendencies, insecurity, and perceived relationship quality. Study 1 (68 females, 9 males) showed that RSC was associated with self-esteem, anxious and avoidant attachment styles, and relationship insecurity. RSC associations with anxious attachment and insecurity, but not avoidant attachment, held when controlling for self-esteem. Study 2 (322 females, 95 males) showed that RSC was associated with intimacy, satisfaction, investment, commitment, and relationship alternatives. RSC associations held when controlling for general comparison tendencies for all except investment. Study 3 (61 females, 11 males) showed that RSC was associated with changes in relationship insecurity and satisfaction over time, and that insecurity mediated the relationship between RSC and satisfaction.

Risk orientation, loving, and liking in long-term romantic relationships

Smithson, M., Baker, C. — 2008-02-19

This study investigates three hypotheses: Similarity between romantic partners in risk taking predicts partner liking and loving; risk taking in either partner correlates negatively with liking and loving; and these tendencies are accentuated in particular risk domains. A survey of 147 heterosexual couples tests these hypotheses in six risk domains. The similarity hypothesis is supported in all domains for perceived self/ partner differences but most emphatically in ethical risks. Likewise, higher self-reported risk taking and higher ratings of partner's risk taking negatively predict loving and liking, but only in specific domains. Overall, risk orientations in ethical, health, and gambling domains are the best predictors of loving and liking. Findings are discussed regarding theory and research on criteria for "ideal" partners in long-term romantic relationships.

Individual differences and lying in everyday life

Ennis, E., Vrij, A., Chance, C. — 2008-02-19

This study explores individuals' reported frequency of lying to strangers and close friends as a function of (i) type of lie told (self-centered, other-oriented or altruistic) and (ii) attachment style in social relationships. One hundred university students (average age = 23.09, SD = 5.36) completed self-report questionnaires. The close friend could be either a best friend (N = 52) or a romantic partner (N = 48). Results revealed that frequency and nature of lies told to strangers differ from those told to close friends. Attachment-related anxiety was positively related to frequency of lying to strangers and best friends, while attachment avoidance primarily related to deception towards one's romantic partner. Results are discussed as contributing to understanding the use and function of deception in everyday life.

A model for predicting stress levels and marital satisfaction for stepmothers utilizing a stress and coping approach

2008-02-19

Drawing from a stress and coping framework and previous research regarding stepfamilies, the researchers develop and test a theoretical model predicting stepmother stress and marital satisfaction. Factors in the model include residency of the stepmother's stepchildren, whether the stepmother has biological children, social support resources, role clarity, and responsibility for household chores and stepchild care. The results indicate that the data fit the model well. By examining all of these variables in a model several advantages are achieved, including integrating and extending prior research findings on stepfamilies, comparing the relative strengths of these variables in their relationship with stress and satisfaction, and illustrating factors that can be targeted to encourage the viability of the various types of stepmother—father couples.

Cultural differences in intimacy: The influence of gender-role ideology and individualism--collectivism

Marshall, T. C. — 2008-02-19

Two studies examined emotional intimacy in European Canadian and Chinese Canadian dating relationships. Cultural differences in gender-role ideology and individualism—collectivism were hypothesized to differentially contribute to self-disclosure and responsiveness, and in turn, intimacy. Study 1 revealed that Chinese Canadians' lower intimacy relative to European Canadians was mediated by their greater gender-role traditionalism but not by their individualism or collectivism. Study 2 further linked greater gender-role traditionalism to lower self-disclosure, and in turn, lower intimacy. Results also revealed that Chinese Canadians' lower intimacy mediated their lower relationship satisfaction and higher rate of relationship termination in Study 1, but that Chinese Canadians were not any more likely to terminate their relationships in Study 2.

Emotional expression in tsukiau dating relationships in Japan

Farrer, J., Tsuchiya, H., Bagrowicz, B. — 2008-02-19

This article uses qualitative interviews with 135 Japanese in their 20s to discover the meanings and purposes they associate with tsukiau ("going steady") relationships. Relating our findings to Sternberg's triangular theory of love, we find that all three components of intimacy, commitment, and passion are emphasized in tsukiau relationships, though in culturally specific ways. The findings suggest that in a society in which people marry later than before, dating relationships can be a new type of comfort zone for young Japanese adults redefining the boundaries of the "inner" and "outer" self, often replacing or displacing family ties as the context for displaying a backstage "true self." The tsukiau relationship thus represents a transitional life stage for heterosexual Japanese young people.

Silver anniversary essay: A past and a future for relationship research

Duck, S. — 2008-02-19

Acknowledgement of Reviewers

2008-02-19

The value of monogamy in emerging adulthood: A gendered perspective

Schmookler, T., Bursik, K. — 2007-12-14

Gender and gender role differences in the valuing of monogamy were examined using a sample of emerging adults currently in heterosexual dating relationships. Monogamy attitudes were measured on four dimensions: valuing emotional monogamy, valuing sexual monogamy, perceptions of monogamy as relationship-enhancing, and perceptions of monogamy as a sacrifice. Gender differences emerged, with women valuing both emotional and sexual monogamy more strongly than men. While both men and women viewed monogamy as relationship enhancing, men were more likely to view monogamy as a sacrifice. Individuals with gender roles defined by communal traits valued monogamy more highly. Each of the monogamy dimensions was significantly correlated with reported relationship satisfaction. Findings are interpreted from evolutionary and social constructionist perspectives.

Relationship satisfaction and commitment in long-term male couples: Individual and dyadic effects

Boesch, R. P., Cerqueira, R., Safer, M. A., Wright, T. L. — 2007-12-14

Male couples (N = 53) described their relationship history during an oral history interview, and partners also provided individual self-reports about relationship satisfaction, commitment, and quality. Although couple members were similar in satisfaction levels, they differed in commitment levels. An individual's expression of positive and negative emotions during the interview predicted both his own and his partner's current satisfaction, but predicted only his partner's satisfaction four years later. Furthermore, current and future relationship satisfaction was predicted not just by one's own, but also by one's partner's, perception of equality and attachment. In contrast, current and future commitment was predicted only by one's own perception of equality and attachment. Thus, predictors of satisfaction were both personal and interpersonal, but predictors of commitment were only personal. Separable individual- and dyadic-level processes underlie intimate relationships.

The role of separation/divorce in relapse into and recovery from major depression

Cohen, S., Klein, D. N., O'Leary, K. D. — 2007-12-14

This study examined the effects of marital dissolution on two potential outcomes, relapse into and recovery from major depression, within a sample that explicitly faces the recurring risk of depression. Among subjects who were depressed at the time of marital dissolution, Cox proportional hazards models revealed a five-fold increased probability of recovering from major depression for subjects who experienced a separation/ divorce relative to subjects who did not separate/divorce. Among subjects who were remitted/recovered at the time of marital dissolution, analyses did not reveal a significant probability of relapsing into major depression following a separation/divorce. These findings suggest that among individuals with a history of major depression and marital stressors, experiencing a separation/divorce may function to alleviate rather than precipitate depression.

Evolution and resolution: Birthmothers' experience of grief and loss at different levels of adoption openness

Henney, S. M., Ayers-Lopez, S., McRoy, R. G., Grotevant, H. D. — 2007-12-14

This article explores birthmothers' experiences of grief and loss over time across the continuum of openness in adoption. Data were collected by structured interview at two points in time: 4—12 years postplacement (169 birthmothers) and 12—20 years postplacement (127 birthmothers). At Wave 1 a majority of the birthmothers were experiencing moderate to high degrees of grief. However, by Wave 2 a similar majority reported feeling some or no feelings of grief. Birthmothers in fully disclosed adoptions tended to have lower levels of grief than those in confidential adoptions at Wave 2. Overall, the results suggest that the "right amount" of openness for a birthmother may change over the life course. Implications for practice are discussed.

Views on interracial dating among Chinese and European Canadians: The roles of culture, gender, and mainstream cultural identity

Uskul, A. K., Lalonde, R. N., Cheng, L. — 2007-12-14

The present study examines cross-cultural and gender differences in the norms regarding interracial dating among Chinese and European Canadians. In response to a scenario describing an interracial dating conflict between a young adult and his/her parents, Chinese Canadians gave greater support to parents than did European Canadians, who in turn gave greater support to the young adult than did Chinese Canadians. With regard to self-report measures of views on interracial dating, Chinese Canadian males showed less favorable attitudes towards interracial dating than all other groups and showed less openness to interracial dating than did European Canadian males. Among Chinese Canadians only, endorsement of Canadian identity made a contribution above and beyond family allocentrism to the prediction of all measures assessing views on interracial dating.

Homogamy over the net: Using internet advertisements to discover who interracially dates

Yancey, G. — 2007-12-14

There is relatively scant research on who interracially dates. The propensity to interracially date may be linked to symbolic racism. It is possible that political conservatives and the highly religious have symbolically racist notions inhibiting their willingness to interracially date. The primary purpose of this research is to discover who is willing to interracially date with an emphasis upon possible religious and political factors. A national sample of internet personal advertisements indicate that political conservatism is inversely related to willingness to date regardless of race or to date Blacks while religiosity, after proper controls, is inversely related to willingness to interracially date at all. There is evidence that political ideology and religiosity both effect interracial dating but in different ways.

Does good emotion management aid forgiving? Multiple dimensions of empathy, emotion management and forgiveness of self and others

Hodgson, L. K., Wertheim, E. H. — 2007-12-14

The ability to forgive is considered important in the successful maintenance of relationships. In this study, a multifactorial model predicting two forms of forgiveness was examined in a combined community and university sample (N = 110) who reported on their ability to manage emotions, their tendency to empathize (through perspective taking, empathic concern, and personal distress), and their disposition to forgive others and self. Findings suggested that the ability to manage and repair emotions predicted a greater disposition to forgive, and that perspective taking mediated the relationship between emotion management and forgiveness of others. A multifactorial model for other-forgiveness was completely replicated in significant others' (N = 104) reports about participants, although significant others' results only partially replicated participant findings for self-forgiveness.

Coping and the response of others

Marin, T. J., Holtzman, S., DeLongis, A., Robinson, L. — 2007-12-14

This cross-sectional study examined spouse responses to partners' coping among 84 parents (29 couples and 26 individuals) of children with disabilities. Participants completed questionnaires regarding coping with caregiving and psychological distress. Further, participants completed a Response of Others Scale in which they rated spouses' responses to their coping as positive, negative, or neutral. Findings from multilevel modeling suggested that positive responses to coping amplified the benefits of relationship-focused coping, and attenuated the negative effects of maladaptive coping strategies on distress. Cognitive restructuring was associated with lower levels of distress in the context of positive responses, but with greater distress in the context of negative responses. Findings suggest the utility of assessing the response of others in coping research.

How late-adolescent friends share stories about relationships: The importance of mitigating the seriousness of romantic problems

Korobov, N., Thorne, A. — 2007-12-14

This narrative study explored how late adolescents (N = 64 dyads) jointly told stories about romantic relationships during casual conversations with same-sex friends. Stories about romantic problems were four times more prevalent than stories about romantic nonproblems, and relationship instability was the most frequent type of romantic problem. Furthermore, discussions of romantic problems (versus nonproblems) were particularly likely to be softened or mitigated by projecting a detached, relaxed, or unknowing stance. Case studies of such conversational mitigation vividly illustrate how these primarily White, heterosexual, late adolescents conavigated the vagaries of developing serious and intimate bonds without appearing too invested or troubled by their romantic problems. The findings have implications for understanding the co-construction of social and personal identities.

Self-silencing mediates the link between marital conflict and depression

Whiffen, V. E., Foot, M. L., Thompson, J. M. — 2007-12-14

The Silencing the Self model of depression (Jack, 1991) proposes that women are at risk for depression when they suppress their true thoughts and feelings to avoid conflict. Using a community sample of 115 couples, the present study investigated whether self-silencing mediates the relationship between marital conflict and depressive symptoms. Results indicated that both men and women who perceived their marriages as conflicted tended to hide their anger while pretending to go along with their partner's opinions or wishes which, along with a tendency to judge oneself by external standards, also mediated the relationship between marital conflict and depressive symptoms. The silencing model appears to describe the development of both men's and women's depression in conflicted marriages and may be refined by focusing on how individuals cope with anger in intimate relationships.