Journal of Social and Personal Relationships recent issues

Target's face loss, motivations, and forgiveness following relational transgression: Comparing Chinese and US cultures

Hui, V. K.-Y., Bond, M. H. — 2009-07-31

We proposed that, following a transgression, as a victim's perceived face loss increased, the victim would show (i) less forgiveness towards the perpetrator; (ii) increased motivation to retaliate; and (iii) reduced desire to maintain the damaged relationship. Moreover, an interdependent self-construal was hypothesized to strengthen these associations. Results from Hong Kong Chinese and American university students revealed that greater face loss directly reduced forgiveness. For Hong Kong Chinese, face loss also indirectly lowered forgiveness through retaliatory and relationship maintenance motivations. Self-construals, however, did not account for such cultural-specific findings. Discussion focused on how attributions for the face loss cross-culturally shaped the offended party's response to relational transgression.

The well-being of cohabiting and married couples during pregnancy: Does pregnancy planning matter?

Lachance-Grzela, M., Bouchard, G. — 2009-07-31

Cohabiting women are less likely to plan their pregnancies than married women. Research on marital and pregnancy statuses remains distinct and, consequently, the effects of both variables are confounded. The aim of the present study was to examine the moderational role of pregnancy planning in the relationship between marital status and future parents' well-being. A sample of 154 French-Canadian couples expecting their first child completed assessments of pregnancy planning and of well-being (i.e., anxiety, depression, satisfaction with life, and dyadic adjustment) during the third trimester of pregnancy. Results show that pregnancy planning efforts contribute to future parents' well-being only if they are married. Similarly, marriage offers more benefits than cohabitation, but only if partners have planned the pregnancy.

Patterns of assistance between adult children and their older parents: Resources, responsibilities, and remarriage

Ganong, L. H., Coleman, M., Rothrauff, T. — 2009-07-31

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of patterns of resource exchange on beliefs about intergenerational responsibilities in older parent—adult child relationships. The effects of adult children's resources and later-life remarriage on beliefs about intergenerational responsibilities also were examined. A national sample of 1025 adults responded to a multiple segment factorial survey. Responsibilities to parents were associated with prior patterns of exchanges, older cohorts had lower expectations for adult children to help their parents, and parental remarriage creates limited responsibilities toward new stepparents. Family obligations were the main reason for helping, but histories of intergenerational assistance, the adult child's resources, and other obligations of the adult child also were considerations. Later-life remarriage complicates intergenerational obligations.

Interracial friendship development and attributional biases

Shelton, J. N., Richeson, J. A., Bergsieker, H. B. — 2009-07-31

We demonstrated that a self—other attributional bias impedes interracial friendship development. Whites were given the opportunity to become friends with a White or Black participant. Whites indicated how interested they were in becoming friends and how concerned they were about being rejected as a friend. They also indicated how interested they thought the other person was in becoming friends and how concerned they thought the other person was about being rejected as friend. Results revealed that lower-prejudice Whites made divergent explanations for the self and other when the potential friend was Black, whereas higher-prejudice Whites did not. Prejudice level did not influence the type of explanations made when the potential friend was White. Implications for interracial friendship development are considered.

Relational support from friends and wives' family relationships: The role of husbands' interference

Proulx, C. M., Helms, H. M., Milardo, R. M., Payne, C. C. — 2009-07-31

Informed by Marks's three corners model, this study explored the moderating role of husbands' relational interference in the link between relational support from close friends and wives' marital and family relationship quality. Using data from 52 wives rearing school-aged children, results from a hierarchical regression analysis suggested that husbands' interference moderates the association between support from close friends and both wives' marital satisfaction and mother—child relationship quality. At low levels of interference from husbands, support from close friends is positively associated with wives' reports of marital satisfaction, and at high levels of spousal interference, support from close friends is positively associated with mother—child relationship quality. Theoretical implications for studying these processes as they co-occur across multiple close relationships are discussed.

Outness, Big Five personality traits, and same-sex relationship quality

Clausell, E., Roisman, G. I. — 2009-07-31

This report examined the extent to which individuals from 60 same-sex romantic couples (30 gay male and 30 lesbian dyads) who disclosed their same-sex attractions to the world and family (i.e., were `out') were more likely than their relatively closeted counterparts to share higher quality relationships. Using a multimethod approach that included the `Big Five' personality dimensions as covariates, participants completed questionnaires about their relationships and discussed a disagreement in their relationship while being videotaped. Individuals who were out to the world — and individuals who had partners that reported being out — tended to (i) report greater relational satisfaction and (ii) display more positive relative to negative affect during dyadic interactions. Associations generally held controlling for personality traits among both gay male and lesbian couples.

Draining or gaining? The social networks of public housing movers in Boston

Curley, A. M. — 2009-07-31

The social networks of low-income residents have been simultaneously described as supportive, strained, localized, and limited in providing access to necessary resources and information. Using a longitudinal qualitative approach, this study investigated the social networks of low-income women in one US high-poverty public housing project. Existing sociological frameworks for studying networks did not fully capture the women's social ties, particularly their "draining" ties. As the women were relocated as part of a mixed-income housing initiative targeting their neighborhood, a changing flow of resources and stress passed through social ties. A change in neighborhood prompted changes in low-income people's social networks far different than expected. Findings also raise questions about the importance of weak or bridging ties in linking low-income women with mobility opportunities.

Marital ideals of the newly-married: A longitudinal analysis

Knobloch-Fedders, L. M., Knudson, R. M. — 2009-07-31

Although marital ideals influence a couple's behavior, the specific content of marital ideals for engaged and newly-married couples remains largely uninvestigated. This longitudinal study investigated couples' marital ideals over the first year of marriage. Thirty-eight engaged couples completed a standardized measure of relationship intimacy ideals using Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships (PAIR; Schaefer & Olson, 1981) in addition to free writing essays to open-ended questions regarding partner, relationship, and conflict ideals. Eleven couples also completed follow-up assessments at six months and one year of marriage. Results indicated that marital ideals are qualitatively different than those for dating relationships. Marital ideals were primarily intimate and traditional, but not romanticized. Conflict ideals were primarily practical rather than romantic, and became more practical over time.

Causal beliefs, social participation, and loneliness among older adults: A longitudinal study

2009-07-31

Loneliness can be seen as a social failure subject to causal search: Why am I lonely? Why do I lack friends? According to attribution theory, answers to these questions can influence emotions, motivation, and behaviours. This study examined the relationships between various affiliative causal beliefs (i.e., beliefs about loneliness and friendship development), social participation, and loneliness among older adults (72+ years). Cross-sectional and longitudinal (over five years) results showed that more strongly endorsing internal/controllable causal beliefs (i.e., believing that making friends depends on effort) related to greater social participation. Moreover, greater social participation related to less loneliness. External/uncontrollable causal beliefs predicted greater loneliness. In fully addressing loneliness, it may be important to focus on people's causal beliefs.

`IM me': Instant messaging as relational maintenance and everyday communication

Ramirez, A., Broneck, K. — 2009-07-31

Few studies to date have examined the use of Internet applications in enacting `everyday' routine relational maintenance and even fewer assess how such tools complement more traditional forms of communication to sustain involvements. This exploratory study examines the role of one such tool, instant messaging (IM), in relational maintenance. Participants (N = 402) reported their general use of IM (Stage 1) and subsequently conducted and reported on a specific interaction occurring either through IM or face to face (Stage 2). Among IM users, significant gender and the types of relationships differences emerged in `every communication.' Findings also indicate how IM is being utilized in conjunction with other communication channels. New research opportunities for examining relational maintenance processes employing IM are advanced.

Connections between parents' friendships and children's peer relationships

Romano, L. J., Hubbard, J. A., McAuliffe, M. D., Morrow, M. T. — 2009-07-31

This study investigated connections between qualities of parents' own friendships and children's negative peer relationships (i.e., aggression and peer rejection). Participants were 57 dyads of second-grade children (29 girls and 28 boys; mean age = 7.6 years) and their parents. Data on child aggression were collected from teachers and peers, and child peer rejection was assessed using unlimited peer nominations. Parents reported on their own friendship network size, satisfaction, quality, and conflict. Results revealed that two aspects of parents' friendships, conflict and satisfaction, predicted children's peer rejection and aggression. Reasons for these linkages, and implications for intervention, are discussed.

The association between rejection and depression in the context of women's relationships with their parents

Thompson, R. J., Berenbaum, H. — 2009-07-31

The relation between rejection and depression was examined in the context of college students' relationships with their parents. Female college students (n = 183) provided self-reports of how rejected they felt by their parents, and parents provided self-reports of how rejecting they were of their daughters. In father—daughter dyads, we found that fathers' reports of rejection moderated the relation between women's reports of rejection and depression. In mother—daughter dyads, we found that daughters' reports of rejection, but not mothers' reports of rejection, was associated with depression. These findings suggest that relationship factors may be critical for understanding depression, and that the role of rejection in depression can only be understood by taking into account the nature of the relationship.

Introduction to the Special Issue

Sarason, I. G., Sarason, B. R. — 2009-05-13

An attachment and behavioral systems perspective on social support

Mikulincer, M., Shaver, P. R. — 2009-05-13

In this article we explain how attachment theory characterizes the seeking, receipt, and provision of social support. In the first section, we explain attachment theory's perspective on support-seeking (or attachment behavior) and support-provision (or caregiving behavior). In the second section, we discuss what has been learned about attachment-style differences in perceived support, seeking support, and providing support. In the third section, we consider the empirically documented psychological benefits of receiving support, which we summarize in terms of a broaden-and-build cycle of attachment security. Throughout the article we offer several avenues for future research that can advance our understanding of the cognitive-affective and neural mechanisms underlying social support and the psychological benefits of supportive experiences.

Understanding the outcomes of supportive communication: A dual-process approach

Burleson, B. R. — 2009-05-13

Numerous factors affect the outcomes of supportive interactions, including aspects of the supportive message, the helper, the interaction context, and the recipient. This article proposes that the direct and interactive effects of these factors can be explained through a dual-process theory of supportive communication outcomes, which provides a comprehensive, integrative treatment of when and why collections of variables in supportive interactions generate the effects they do. The article reviews some of factors that influence the outcomes of supportive interactions, explicates the dual-process theory of supportive communication outcomes, illustrates the theory by describing recent studies designed to test it, and discusses aspects of the theory that need attention and directions for future research.

Challenges in conceptualizing social support

Vangelisti, A. L. — 2009-05-13

Although research on social support has generated findings that are key to the study of social and personal relationships, scholars have yet to deal with a number of conceptual issues that affect how social support is defined and measured. Research on hurt feelings provides some interesting insights concerning the conceptualization of support. Based on this research, as well as a review of the literature on social support, the current article describes several issues that scholars ought to consider as they conceptualize, evaluate, and study social support processes.

What a lifespan approach might tell us about why distinct measures of social support have differential links to physical health

Uchino, B. N. — 2009-05-13

Social support has been reliably related to physical health outcomes. However, an examination of mediators of such links has been slowed by the lack of understanding regarding two complex and related questions: what is social support and what phase of the disease process does it impact? In this paper, I argue for the importance of a lifespan perspective that takes into account distinct antecedent processes and mechanisms that are related to measures of support over time. This view makes clear the need to distinguish measures of perceived and received support and its links to more specific aspects of disease (e.g., acute, chronic, disease incidence). The implications of these theoretical arguments for research on social support and physical health are discussed.

Are social relations less health protective in women than in men? Social relations, gender, and cardiovascular health

Orth-Gomer, K. — 2009-05-13

Individuals with no or few social contacts have an increased risk of dying prematurely from coronary disease. Social ties generally exert general, but unspecific, health protective effects, however, negative social ties are sometimes harmful for women's cardiac health. In a clinical trial of psychosocial intervention, consecutive female coronary patients received a one year cognitive stress reduction, and support strengthening program. In a nine year follow up, the program reduced mortality by two thirds when compared to women in typical care programs. There is additional evidence from population based studies, from clinical observational studies, and from controlled interventional studies that social support is health (and specifically cardiac) protective and that these effects are generalized in men.

Social networks and health: A life course perspective integrating observational and experimental evidence

Ertel, K. A., Glymour, M. M., Berkman, L. F. — 2009-05-13

Social support: The movie

Hobfoll, S. E. — 2009-05-13

There is continued confusion and controversy about the importance of perception versus actual exchange of social support, that I argue in this paper leads erroneously to the conclusion that it is perception that is key. This paper argues that this confusion follows from the lack of study of the time sequence by which social support, and therefore its perception, is accumulated. Unless people are delusional, social support and its appraisal are created primarily as a product of real events in their lives. Most research comparing "perceived" and "received" social support actually compares perceptions of reality that have accumulated over long spans of time to a micro exchange of received support. Further, I illustrate that when social support does not behave as people expected (i.e., there are misperceptions) then people's belief systems about their support change, but, again, based on the facts. In this way, people are depicted as active operators in the support process, such that they make ongoing adjustments in their beliefs and in their actual social support by creating new relationships and how they interact in these relationships so that perceptions and reality match.

Gaps in social support resources in later life: An adaptational challenge in need of further research

Rook, K. S. — 2009-05-13

Gaps in social support resources in later life may arise when older adults lose social network members due to illness, death, or residential relocation. Gaps also may arise when social networks remain intact but are not well suited to meet older adults' intensifying support needs, such as needs for extended or highly personal instrumental support. Significant gaps in support resources are likely to require adaptive responses by older adults. This discussion highlights theoretical perspectives and illustrates empirical findings regarding the nature and effectiveness of older adults' responses to gaps in their social support resources. The literature examining these issues is relatively small and, as a result, is ripe for further development. Promising directions for future research are suggested.

Social support: Mapping the construct

Sarason, I. G., Sarason, B. R. — 2009-05-13

Social support is a construct with multiple dimensions that can be approached at multiple levels. Findings from a variety of disciplines and recognition of its bidirectional nature can help map the construct. Bidirectionality is a process that requires attention to moderators, such as, gender, cultural change, and personal development, together with the relationship between the receiver and the provider of support. Both close personal ties and weaker ones that often are part of community involvement need to be taken into account in order to map the construct comprehensively.

Striving for comfort: "Positive" construction of dating cultures among second-generation Chinese American youths

Baozhen Luo, — 2008-12-16

This article explores the ways that second-generation Chinese American youths (from both mainland and Taiwan origins) construct their dating attitudes and behaviors. Based on an analysis of 20 in-depth interviews, this study finds that respondents use both Chinese and American lenses to construct their dating attitudes and behaviors. Chinese and American dating are constructed as oppositional among the respondents. When discussing parents' roles, commitment, premarital sex, and gender expectations, second-generation Chinese American youths pick and choose from their constructions of Chinese and American dating cultures. In so doing, they cope with discomfort and attempt to present a "positive" image of themselves in front of both Chinese and American dating cultures, thereby inventing a "positive" culture of dating.

Is actual similarity necessary for attraction? A meta-analysis of actual and perceived similarity

Montoya, R. M., Horton, R. S., Kirchner, J. — 2008-12-16

To evaluate the impact of actual and perceived similarity on interpersonal attraction, we meta-analyzed 460 effect sizes from 313 laboratory and field investigations. Results indicated that the associations between interpersonal attraction and both actual similarity (r = .47) and perceived similarity (r = .39) were significant and large. The data also indicate that (i) actual similarity was important in no-interaction and short-interaction studies, (ii) there was a significant reduction in the effect size of actual similarity beyond no-interaction studies, and (iii) the effect of actual similarity in existing relationships was not significant. Alternatively, perceived similarity predicted attraction in no-interaction, short-interaction, and existing relationship studies. The implications of perceived similarity, rather than actual similarity, being predictive of attraction in existing relationships are discussed.

Division of eco-friendly household labor and the marital relationship

Judkins, B., Presser, L. — 2008-12-16

Qualitative interviews were conducted with both members of 12 married couples who had made a commitment to environmentalism in their everyday lives. Women in the sample generally performed more eco-friendly domestic labor than did their husbands. The article focuses on husbands' and wives' accounts for the unintended gender injustice that came with efforts at environmental justice. These accounts stressed that men intended to do their share of the labor, though they did not, while women did more of the labor because they were better at or more interested in it. Men and women offered similar accounts for the asymmetrical division of labor. The logic of the accounts can be used as part of new discourses that promote gender equity while doing environmental justice.

An examination of the tripartite approach to commitment: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Analysis of the effect of relational maintenance behavior

Ramirez, A. — 2008-12-16

A consistently reported finding is that indicators of relationship quality reflect a strong association with relational maintenance behaviors (Stafford, 2002). The present study conceptualized one such indicator, commitment, as a multidimensional, tripartite phenomenon (Johnson, 1991, 1999) to examine its persistent association with maintenance behaviors over two time periods. Using an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Analysis (APIM; Kashy & Kenny, 2000), the overall results revealed that actors' and partners' experience of personal commitment at time 2 was significantly associated with maintenance strategy use reported at time 1. Whereas the analysis of moral commitment showed a similar pattern of actor effects, the partner effects suggest spouses' experience of moral commitment may be more strongly connected to their partners' use of maintenance behavior than that of personal commitment. However, analysis of actors' and partners' experience of structural commitment revealed few significant associations with relational maintenance. Implications for the tripartite approach and relationship maintenance are discussed.

Relational identities of always-single Japanese women

Maeda, E. — 2008-12-16

Increasing numbers of Japanese women remain single after the traditionally "marked" marriageable age of twenty-something. Interpersonal relationships are very important and influential for Japanese women remaining single. I interviewed thirty always-single Japanese women in Japan to examine their interpersonal relationships. Content-analysis of the interview data revealed three themes that relate to the women's interpersonal relationships: family dependency and responsibility, social support, and relationship issues that prevent marriage. These themes suggest that single women's role as a daughter and/or family member, romantic experiences, and relationships with other women influence their identity construction. Women's accounts, moreover, presented various interrelated relationship issues, suggesting the importance of understanding the history and continuity of relationships.

Sexual minority stress and changes in relationship quality in same-sex couples

Mohr, J. J., Daly, C. A. — 2008-12-16

Same-sex romantic partners face the challenge of developing a positive relationship while managing stressors associated with being members of a stigmatized minority group. This study examined links between two potential sources of minority stress (internalized homonegativity and sexual orientation self-concealment) and change in predictors of relationship commitment (constraints, attractions, and satisfaction) in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Fifty-one LGB college students who were in a same-sex dating relationship with the same person throughout the study completed surveys at two time points six weeks apart. Initial levels of internalized homonegativity were associated with decreases in relationship attractions and satisfaction but not constraints. Initial self-concealment levels, however, were unrelated to changes in any of the relationship variables.

The experience and expression of anger, guilt, and sadness in marriage: An equity theory explanation

Guerrero, L. K., La Valley, A. G., Farinelli, L. — 2008-10-14

This study examines how expressions of anger, guilt, and sadness are related to (in)equity and marital satisfaction. Data from 92 couples demonstrated that being overbenefited was positively associated with guilt, whereas being underbenefited was positively associated with anger. For wives, being underbenefited was also positively associated with sadness. Results also revealed that (i) people who perceived equity reported using more constructive, prosocial emotional expressions, (ii) underbenefited people reported using more destructive, antisocial emotional expression, and (iii) overbenefited people reported using both prosocial and antisocial emotional expressions. Both husbands and wives reported higher levels of marital satisfaction when they perceived themselves to be treated equitably or to be overbenefited as compared to underbenefited. Results also suggested that angry feelings and aggressive expressions of anger mediated the relation between underbenefiting inequity and martial satisfaction, and that the way people express anger mediated the relationship between anger and marital satisfaction.

Relationship resources for coping with unfulfilled standards in dating relationships: Commitment, satisfaction, and closeness

Alexander, A. L. — 2008-10-14

Two studies investigated the coping strategies that individuals use when dealing with unfulfilled relationship standards in dating relationships. In Study 1, inductive analysis of openended data revealed 26 coping strategies (N = 217). In Study 2, these strategies were used to develop a scale that was administered to a new sample (N = 505) and to explore the coping resources individuals draw upon when dealing with unfulfilled standards. Results suggested a ten-factor solution of coping strategies: punishing, reframing, clarifying, self-disparaging, exiting, distancing, modeling, seeking social support, using humor, and escaping. Analyses indicated that each of these sets of coping strategies was significantly linked to relationship coping resources: personal, moral, and structural commitment, relationship satisfaction, and closeness.

Dating in the fast lane: How communication predicts speed-dating success

Houser, M. L., Horan, S. M., Furler, L. A. — 2008-10-14

Speed-dating has become a popular way to initiate relationships; however, little scholarly research has focused on these events. This research is designed to investigate positive and negative predictors of possible relationships by focusing on decisions to engage in future dates. Interpersonal attraction, homophily, and nonverbal immediacy have been linked to the predicted outcome value (POV) of relationships during initial encounters. This study investigates how these variables influence date decisions in a six minute speed-dating experience. Results indicate interpersonal attraction and nonverbal immediacy significantly predict POV but not future date decisions. Moreover, men reported higher levels of homophily and interpersonal attraction than women. Differential elements of speed-dating as an initial interaction context and the relevance of demographics are discussed.

Perceived social network support and well-being in same-sex versus mixed-sex romantic relationships

Blair, K. L., Holmberg, D. — 2008-10-14

A theoretical model was tested, in which better perceived social network support specifically for a romantic relationship was hypothesized to predict higher relationship well-being which, in turn, would predict more positive mental and physical health outcomes for relationship partners. Furthermore, the model was tested on participants in both same-sex (i.e., homosexual, n = 183) and mixed-sex (i.e., heterosexual, n = 275) relationships. Structural equation modelling indicated that the hypothesized model did fit the data very well; furthermore, no differences in model fit were found between the two relationship groups. Support specifically for the relationship remained a highly significant predictor of the outcome variables, even when general social support and support for one's sexual orientation were controlled.

Affectionate experience mediates the effects of alexithymia on mental health and interpersonal relationships

Hesse, C., Floyd, K. — 2008-10-14

Affection has long been found to be a foundational force in any sort of human relationship, influencing such areas as relational closeness, stress, and depression. One psychological condition that may influence the communication of affection is alexithymia, which hinders the ability of an individual both to experience and to express emotion. On the basis of affection exchange theory, we hypothesized a mediating effect of affectionate communication on the association between alexithymia and relational and mental health indices. Participants (N = 347) provided self-reports of alexithymia, affectionate communication, depression, stress, relational closeness, nonverbal immediacy, happiness, and relational affection. Findings implicated affectionate communication as a mediator of the relationships between alexithymia and several of the outcome measures.

Big Five personality traits and relationship quality: Self-reported, observational, and physiological evidence

Holland, A. S., Roisman, G. I. — 2008-10-14

This report explored links between Big Five personality traits and the quality of romantic relationships. Interpersonal functioning was operationalized at three levels of analysis (self-reported quality, observed emotional tone, and physiological reactivity) in three samples (dating, engaged, and married couples). Couples completed questionnaires about their own and partners' personalities and then discussed a disagreement in their relationship while being physiologically monitored. Two conceptual frameworks were examined; the first predicted that personality would be consistently associated with all indicators of functioning. The second framework predicted that personality would be consistently linked to perceived quality and trivially associated with observed emotional tone and electrodermal/cardiac reactivity. Significant associations were identified between personality and self-reported quality, and only trivial associations with other indictors.

Relational uncertainty, partner interference, and infertility: A qualitative study of discourse within online forums

Steuber, K. R., Haunani Solomon, D. — 2008-10-14

Infertility afflicts one in six couples and confronts partners with life decisions that have long-term implications for their partnerships. The authors analyzed discourse from online discussion board strings and blogs (N = 438) to consider how this reproductive disability is both affected by and transforms the marital relationship. Specifically, a relational turbulence model lens was used to gain insight into the salient relational issues of couples coping with infertility. A qualitative theme analysis revealed two relational uncertainty themes (relational invalidation and implications of blame), two partner interference themes (supremacy of the pregnancy goal and violated expectations for treatment involvement), and two identity themes (strengthened relational identity and personal identity shifts).

Book review: Whiffen, V. E. (2006). A secret sadness: The hidden relationship patterns that make women depressed. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 196 pp. ISBN: 1572244690 (hard-back), $24.95

Beach, S. R. H. — 2008-10-14

Book review: Postmes, T., & Jetten, J. (Eds.). (2006). Individuality and the group: Advances in social identity. London, UK: SAGE. 286 pages. ISBN: 9781412903219 (paperback), $44.95

Black, L. W. — 2008-10-14