Female informant-reports of male romantic partners' alcohol problems predict escalations in dyadic conflict in heterosexual couples

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 102-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyra N. Farrelly ◽  
Simon B. Sherry ◽  
Ivy-Lee Kehayes ◽  
Sherry H. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Dyadic Conflict

scholarly journals Perceptions of close relationship through the Machiavellians´ dark glasses: Negativity, distrust, self-protection against risk and dissatisfaction

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 806-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamás Ináncsi ◽  
Attila Pilinszki ◽  
Tünde Paál ◽  
András Láng
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Self Protection ◽  
The Relationship

It is commonly known from the literature that Machiavellian individuals have negative attitudes towards people and in general towards the world´s affairs. They are distrustful of the intentions of others, and they get cautiously involved into interpersonal interactions and take risks only if that may not have any severe negative consequence. It is also a fact that there are few ventures in life that potentially involve as much insecurity and personal vulnerability as the establishment and maintenance of close relationships. In our study, we were seeking the answer to the question: do people with high levels of Machiavellianism show a generally negative, distrustful and cautious attitude in their intimate relationships, as well? What effect their pessimistic approaches have on the other consequences of the relationship (satisfaction, commitment, investment, quality of alternatives)? This question was investigated on a dyadic sample of heterosexual couples (N = 101 pairs) with Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). The results of the correlations and actor effects show that men with high levels of Machiavellianism perceive in a negative way not just people in general, but their romantic partners and relationships as well and they experience an increased level of distrust, risk, and dissatisfaction into their close relationships. Women with high levels of Machiavellianism are less negativistic and feel less discontent towards their intimate partner and relationship, but even they are unable to put their distrust and precaution aside. The results of partner effects have revealed that women's Machiavellianism undermines men's trust, while men's Machiavellianism has the effect of minimizing women's investment into their relationship.

Accuracy and bias in perceptions of relationship authenticity

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-57
Author(s):  
Robert E. Wickham ◽  
Melissa H. Bond
Keyword(s):  
Recent Work ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Bias Analysis ◽  
Structural Equations Modeling ◽  
Assumed Similarity ◽  
Sem Analyses

Impressions regarding the attributes of romantic partners play an important role in shaping attributions for relationship-relevant behaviors, but these perceptions are a mix of fact and fiction. In the light of recent work demonstrating the importance of authenticity in relationships, the present study examined these accuracy and bias in perceptions of authenticity among dating and married couples. Ratings of self- and perceived-partner authenticity were obtained from 107 heterosexual couples and subjected to Truth-and-Bias analysis using Bayesian Structural Equations Modeling (SEM). Analyses revealed that perceptions of partners’ willingness to increase intimacy were both accurate and subject to assumed-similarity bias, whereas perceptions of partners’ aversion to deception showed no evidence of accuracy but were strongly influenced by assumed-similarity.

scholarly journals But What’s Your Partner Up to? Associations Between Relationship Quality and Pornography Use Depend on Contextual Patterns of Use Within the Couple

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taylor Kohut ◽  
Kiersten A. Dobson ◽  
Rhonda N. Balzarini ◽  
Ronald D. Rogge ◽  
Amanda M. Shaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Sexual Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patterns Of Use ◽  
Sex Drive ◽  
Pornography Use ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Use Behavior

It is commonly assumed that exposure to pornography harms relationships because pornography changes the way that individuals think, feel, and behave in problematic ways. In the current research, we contribute to a small but growing body of work that challenges this assumption by carefully scrutinizing the relational context of pornography use. In contrast to dominant theoretical explanations in this field, we argue that at least some of the apparent negative “impacts” of pornography use on relationship quality may reflect partner dissimilarity in pornography use behavior rather than the consequences of exposure to such materials. Moreover, we further examine a particular type of pornography use – shared use with a partner – which previous evidence suggests may be positively associated with relationship quality. To this end, we sought to test whether dyadic patterns of pornography use, and related attributes, were associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction in two cross-sectional (N1 = 200; N3 = 207) and two longitudinal (N2 = 77; N4 = 277) samples of heterosexual couples. Across these samples, we found consistent evidence that partners who watch pornography together report higher relationship and sexual satisfaction than partners who do not, and notably, this association was not moderated by gender. Independent of this association, we also found evidence of a similarity-dissimilarity effect, such that the solitary pornography use of one partner was negatively associated with their own relationship and sexual satisfaction, but only in cases where their romantic partners used little or no pornography alone. Further consideration of several correlates of pornography use established comparable patterns of results for dissimilarity in attitudes toward pornography, erotophobia-erotophilia, sexual preferences, and sex drive. Importantly, only dissimilarity in sex drive statistically accounted for dissimilarity in solitary pornography use, suggesting that differences in sex drive may be implicated in the associations between pornography use and relationship quality. These findings demonstrate that links between pornography use and relationship health are partially a function of different dyadic patterns of pornography use within couples and do not always suggest relational harm.

scholarly journals Dispositional empathy is associated with experimental pain reduction during provision of social support by romantic partners

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-209
Author(s):  
Stefan Duschek ◽  
Lena Nassauer ◽  
Casandra I. Montoro ◽  
Angela Bair ◽  
Pedro Montoya
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Physical Presence ◽  
Pain Ratings ◽  
Dispositional Empathy

AbstractBackground and aimsWhile social interactions like verbal support and physical touch have repeatedly been shown to reduce experimental pain, analgesic effects of passive social support, i.e. the sole physical presence of a supportive other, remain unclear. Moreover, little is known about individual factors influencing the extent of pain attenuation during social support. This study investigated analgesic effects of passive support by a romantic partner and the role of partner empathy therein.MethodsIn 48 heterosexual couples, sensitivity to pressure pain was assessed; each participant was tested alone and in the passive presence of his/her partner. Dispositional empathy was quantified by a questionnaire.ResultsIn the presence, as compared to absence, of their partners men and women exhibited higher pain threshold and tolerance, as well as lower sensory and affective pain ratings on constant pressure stimuli. Partner empathy was positively associated with pain tolerance and inversely associated with sensory pain experience.ConclusionsThe results confirm the analgesic effects of social support, which may even occur without verbal or physical contact. Partner empathy may buffer affective distress during pain exposure, thereby reducing pain sensitivity and promoting pain coping. These processes may occur solely due to a partner’s physical presence and do not necessarily require direct empathetic feedback.

Interpersonal effects of health-related social control: Positive and negative influence, partner health transformations, and relationship quality

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 3986-4004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie J. Young ◽  
Tricia J. Burke ◽  
Melissa A. Curran
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Social Control ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Maintenance Behaviors ◽  
Health Related

It is common for romantic partners to influence one another’s health maintenance behaviors. Previous research has examined positively and negatively framed social control messages to understand health behavior outcomes and relational affect; however, this study confirms and extends previous research by studying the associations between health transformations (from interdependence theory, health behaviors enacted for the partner) and relationship satisfaction. Data from a cross-sectional dyadic survey of heterosexual couples were analyzed using actor–partner independence models. As expected, dyadic results showed that positive social control was associated with greater healthy and fewer unhealthy partner transformations, whereas negative social control was associated with lower relationship satisfaction and more unhealthy transformations. Further, the breadth of partner health behaviors that individuals attempt to influence moderated the associations between social control and relationship satisfaction and health transformations. We discuss how the results from this study underscore the health implications associated with the nature and breadth of social control communication in romantic relationships.

Intranasal oxytocin may help maintain romantic bonds by decreasing jealousy evoked by either imagined or real partner infidelity

2021 ◽  
pp. 026988112199157
Author(s):  
Xiaoxiao Zheng ◽  
Xiaolei Xu ◽  
Lei Xu ◽  
Juan Kou ◽  
Lizhu Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Sexual Infidelity ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Romantic Jealousy ◽  
Subject Design ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Positive Feelings

Background: While romantic jealousy may help to maintain relationships, following partner infidelity and an irretrievable loss of trust it can also promote break-ups. The neuropeptide oxytocin can enhance the maintenance of social bonds and reduce couple conflict, although its influence on jealousy evoked by imagined or real infidelity is unclear. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effects of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) on romantic jealousy in both males and females in imagined and real contexts. Methods: Seventy heterosexual couples participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-subject design study. Jealousy was firstly quantified in the context of subjects imagining partner infidelity and secondly in a Cyberball game where their partner interacted preferentially with an opposite-sexed rival stranger to simulate partner exclusion, or rejected a neutral stranger but not the partner. Results: Oxytocin primarily decreased jealousy and arousal ratings towards imagined emotional and sexual infidelity by a partner in both sexes. During the Cyberball game, while male and female subjects in both groups subsequently threw the ball least often to the rival stranger, under oxytocin they showed reduced romantic jealousy and arousal ratings for stranger players, particularly the rival one, and reported reduced negative and increased positive feelings while playing the game. Conclusions: Together, our results suggest that oxytocin can reduce the negative emotional impact of jealousy in established romantic partners evoked by imagined or real infidelity or exclusive social interactions with others. This provides further support for oxytocin promoting maintenance of relationships.

scholarly journals Evidence of assortative mating for Theory of Mind via facial expressions but not language

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Jackson ◽  
John Galvin ◽  
Varun Warrier ◽  
Simon Baron-Cohen ◽  
Shanhong Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Assortative Mating ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Social Stratification ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Partner Similarity ◽  
The Mind

Assortative mating (AM) is a phenomenon in which romantic partners typically resemble each other at a level greater than chance. There is converging evidence that social behaviours are subject to AM, though less is known regarding social cognition. Social functioning requires the ability to identify and understand the mental states of others, i.e., Theory of Mind (ToM). The present study recruited a sample of 102 heterosexual couples via an online survey to test if ToM as measured using facial expressions (Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test) or language (Stiller-Dunbar Stories Task) is associated with AM. Results showed existence of AM for ToM via facial expressions, though no such effect for ToM via language. AM for ToM via facial expressions was not moderated by length of relationship nor by partner similarity in age, educational attainment, or religiosity, all variables relevant to social stratification. This suggests AM for ToM via facial expressions is better explained by partners being alike at the start of their relationship (initial assortment) rather than becoming similar through sustained social interaction (convergence), and by people seeking out partners that are like themselves (active assortment) rather than simply pairing with those from similar demographic backgrounds (social homogamy).

scholarly journals Alcohol’s Role in Social Reactions to Sexual Assault Disclosures: A Qualitative Study of Informal Support Dyads

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (23-24) ◽  
pp. 5365-5389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Ullman ◽  
Katherine Lorenz ◽  
Anne Kirkner
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Relationship Type ◽  
Social Reactions ◽  
Relationship Types ◽  
The Impact

Studies of informal support dyads are lacking to understand the disclosure of sexual assaults and social reactions informal supporters make to survivors. This study of 19 informal support dyads using interview data examined how three relationship types—significant others (i.e., romantic partners), family, and friends—differ in social reactions to sexual assaults in the context of drinking or alcohol problems. It was expected that alcohol’s role in responses to such disclosures would differ depending on relationship type as well as role alcohol played in the assault and/or in the survivor’s life or those in her social network, including the perpetrator. Results show that alcohol has mixed effects and that alcohol-related assaults as well as contexts where survivors, perpetrators, and/or their support networks have alcohol problems need further study to understand how such disclosures and social reactions occur and the impact they have on survivors, their relationships, and recovery.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Receptivity to Spousal Health Support: A Qualitative Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 649-649
Author(s):  
Amy Rauer ◽  
Ruth Palan Lopez ◽  
Ashley Pigg
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Older Couples ◽  
Adult Lifespan ◽  
Support Strategies ◽  
Health And Illness ◽  
Spousal Health ◽  
Health Support

Abstract Romantic partners play a powerful role in promoting each other’s well-being, particularly later in life. Although there is a robust literature documenting how spouses tend to respond to each other’s health issues (e.g., support, control), there has been a surprising dearth of studies examining how receptive spouses are to these overtures. To reveal how older couples react to each other’s health support attempts, we used a qualitative approach to analyze transcripts of 64 older, married, heterosexual couples observed discussing each other’s health issues. Thematic analysis revealed older couples responded to spouses’ health support strategies in four different ways: 1) listening (individuals actively listened); 2) accepting (individuals welcomed spousal efforts); 3) deflecting (individuals redirected conversation away from health); and 4) rejecting (individuals dismissed and refused spousal intervention). Given the rise in late-life caregiving, identifying the very different responses that are evoked when partners intervene in each other’s health warrants further investigation. Part of a symposium sponsored by Dyadic Research on Health and Illness Across the Adult Lifespan Interest Group.

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