This study is an analysis of the relationship between adult romantic attachment, relationship satisfaction and relationship contingent self-esteem (RCSE). It was hypothesized that the relationship between attachment and relationship satisfaction is partially or fully mediated by RCSE. Participants (N=200) from a mid-sized Midwestern university were surveyed with the following scales: Experiences in Close Relationships Scale – Revised, Adult Attachment Questionnaire, Relationship Contingent Self-Esteem Scale, Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale, Relationship Assessment Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale and a demographic questionnaire. This analysis utilized Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to assess whether RCSE is either a partial or fully mediating construct between attachment and relationship satisfaction. The current maximum likelihood estimates have shown that neither of these models (either partially or fully mediating) are accurate. The partially mediated model showed significant pathway coefficients between attachment and relationship satisfaction, which is congruent with previous research. However, prior to the current study, minimal research has been conducted to assess the relationship between attachment and RCSE. Future research must assess the potentiality of alternative influences such as trauma or levels of commitment have on RCSE. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

The purpose of the current study is to understand the reintroduction of taboo topics between romantic dating partners. Through a qualitative methodological approach, the current study discovers the most prominent taboo topic between romantic partners, why romantic partners reintroduce taboo topics, and what effect the reintroduction has on the relationship. The findings present that “previous relationships” is the most prominent taboo topic. Partners either avoid the taboo topic discussion altogether or the taboo topic discussion is reintroduced because a situation occurred in which one partner saw, spoke with, or spent time with a previous partner. Finally, the current study found that reintroducing taboo topics causes conflict and the use of self-protective mechanisms within the relationship. / Department of Communication Studies

The aim of this study was to look at the vocation of the Afrikaans-speaking male between 30 and 40 years within the family, church and society. The following procedure was followed: A base theoretical investigation was undertaken to establish Scriptural perspectives on the subject. The model of Zerfass was used. It was found: The male as representative of God on earth must live in an intimate personal relationship with God. He should therefore be peacemaker, acting in love towards all, even his enemies. A man should accompany his wife as his equal with unconditional sacrificial love so that she is able to grow spiritually. His family should be the highest priority in his daily programme. Metatheoretical perspectives were subsequently obtained from the two disciplines, namely Psychology and Sociology. An empirical study was simultaneously undertaken in order to determine the shortcomings in a man's life. The following conclusions were made: The male between 30 and 40 years-old is in a phase where he critically evaluates certain religious systems and values. The male between 30 and 40 years regards his marriage and family as one of his four "enemies" because it feels as if his family expects too much of him. The male between 30 en 40 years also struggles to maintain a balance between time at work and time with his family. Theoretical guidelines from practice were subsequently established by synthesising the above information in an hermeneutical way. The following guidelines were set: Through the love of Christ a man should be "the salt of lie" to counteract perdition and a "light for this world" to indicate direction in life. A husband should make time for his family in order to spend quality time with them. His behaviour and the way that he communicates with them will show them that he loves them, appreciates them and understands them. A man should do his work as if were doing it for Christ, and not for people. This, however, means that he should work in such a way that he does not lose valuable time that he could have spent with his family. A man must be aware of his own sinful nature and continuously profess his sins before God and his neighbour. This study aimed to give men a vision so that they would have a conception of what it means to be a man of God in a troubled world. / Thesis (M.Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The purpose of this research was to determine to what degree the married male educator experiences role conflict. The study was piloted by means of a literature study and thereafter an empirical investigation. The purpose of the literature study was to identify possible causes of role conflict and the empirical study was to determine the degree of role conflict experienced by the respondents. The problem statement and research objectives were formulated in Chapter 1. the objective of the study was formulated and the method of research was discussed. A study population was determined and the chapter is concluded with the chapter division. Chapter 2 concentrated on a few descriptions that are related to the concept "role". The nature of the role of the man was discussed from a judicial perspective. The chapter was concluded with the nature of the man's role in and outside the home. The nature of the role conflict was discussed in Chapter 3. Concepts such as inter role conflict and intra role conflict received attention. Possible factors that contribute to the experience of role conflict in the married male educator were identified from the literature. These factors that lead to experiencing role conflict are divided into three categories, namely in the family, at work, and in the family and at work. The purpose of Chapter 4 was to empirically determine whether the respondents really experience role conflict as a result of the discussed factors and to what degree role conflict is experienced. The research design, questionnaires as research instrument as well as the composition in the questionnaire was discussed in this chapter. The completed questionnaire was empirically analysed and certain interpretations were formulated from it. A summary of all the chapters was done in Chapter 5, findings were formulated and a few recommendations, based on the findings, were made. The findings indicated that role conflict is indeed experienced by the respondents and that the causes that lead to conflict originate in the family, society and the workplace. It was also found that practical meaningful differences exist between certain biographical data of the respondents and single factors that lead to experiencing role conflict. Minimal sing of these factors is a theme that can receive attention in future research. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

In two related studies with dating and married couples, the protective function of beliefs about personal value similarity was examined. Relational threat was measured when couple members' value similarity beliefs were disconfirmed or when couple members reported beliefs of value dissimilarity. Gender-specific compensatory mechanisms, reflective of relational self-construal, were examined in association with relational well being. Study 1 was a controlled laboratory experiment with dating couples that examined disconfirmation of perceived value similarity. Study 2 examined naturally occurring variance of married couples' beliefs about value similarity in the context of pregnancy and amniocentesis testing. Results revealed that dating and married couples did assume similarity about their personal values in moral contexts that reflected relational significance. / Results supported that assumptions about value similarity were protective for couple members. Beliefs about value similarity that were disconfirmed by experimentally controlled feedback as well as perceived value dissimilarity in a naturally occurring context both posed relational threat for dating couples and pregnant women, respectively. Gender-specific compensatory mechanisms were evoked and were associated with overall relational well being when romantic intimates considered personal value dissimilarity. Women demonstrated pro-relational behaviors, consistent with their relational self-construal, such that they shifted their personal values and brought their values in closer alignment with their partners' values while, additionally, increasing their ratings of partners' positive attributes. Dating men, consistent with their less relational self-construal, did not alter their personal values and instead increased their ratings of their partners' positive attributes, which accounted for increased relational satisfaction. Married men who considered value dissimilarity with their pregnant partners did not experience relational threat but demonstrated pro-relational behaviors such that they shifted their personal values and brought their values in closer alignment with their partners' values while increasing their ratings of partners' positive attributes. The studies provide expanded knowledge for the growing field of close relationship literature. Results were also discussed in the context of pregnancy, social support, and the utilization of amniocentesis tests.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on February 29, 2008) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Th. M.)--Grace Theological Seminary, 1986. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-104).

Thesis (Th. M.)--St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, N.Y., 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 165-170).

Thesis (M.A.)--Lancaster Bible College, 2005. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-65).

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 305-313). Also available via World Wide Web.