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[pt] Satisfação com o relacionamento amoroso é um dos principais temas estudados na área de relações interpessoais, e é algo muito desejado pelas pessoas que estão em relacionamento. Os objetivos gerais desta tese foram identificar preditores da satisfação com o relacionamento amoroso e verificar a relação entre satisfação com o relacionamento amoroso e o bem-estar subjetivo. Para atingir tais objetivos, foram desenvolvidos quatro estudos. O primeiro estudo investigou conceitos associados à valência positiva referentes ao relacionamento e ao parceiro amoroso. No segundo estudo, adaptou-se para o Brasil uma escala mundialmente utilizada para avaliar a satisfação com o relacionamento amoroso e também se propôs uma versão revisada dessa escala. No terceiro estudo, testou-se o poder mediador da percepção do investimento do parceiro na relação entre apego e satisfação com o relacionamento. Enfim, o quarto estudo investigou o poder preditivo de aspectos do relacionamento amoroso sobre o bem-estar subjetivo, além do que é explicado pelas variáveis sociodemográficas e de personalidade. Os resultados revelaram conceitos frequentemente associados aos esquemas de relacionamento e parceiro amoroso, o que permitiu encontrar possíveis preditores da satisfação com o relacionamento amoroso. A percepção de investimento passivo simbólico do parceiro foi um importante preditor positivo da satisfação com o relacionamento, mediando completamente a relação entre apego e satisfação com o relacionamento. A satisfação com o relacionamento foi um dos principais preditores positivos do bem-estar subjetivo. A partir dos resultados dos estudos desta tese sugerem-se possíveis intervenções para melhorar os relacionamentos amorosos que, por sua vez, venham contribuir para uma vida mais feliz. / [en] Relationship satisfaction is one of the main subjects studied in the area of interpersonal relationships, and it is something very desired by people who are in romantic relationship. The general aims of this thesis were to identify predictors of relationship satisfaction and to verify the relationship between relationship satisfaction and subjective well-being. To achieve these objectives, four studies were developed. The first study investigated concepts associated with positive valence regarding the relationship and the romantic partner. In the second study, a scale used for evaluating relationship satisfaction was adapted for Brazil and a revised version of this scale was also proposed. In the third study, the mediating effect of the perception of partner s investment in the relationship between attachment and relationship satisfaction was tested. Finally, the fourth study investigated the predictive power of aspects of the romantic relationship over subjective well-being, in addition to what is explained by the sociodemographic and personality variables. The results revealed concepts frequently associated with the relationship and romantic partner schemes, which allowed finding possible predictors of relationship satisfaction. The perception of partner s unbankable symbolic investment was an important positive predictor of relationship satisfaction, fully mediating the relationship between attachment and relationship satisfaction. Relationship satisfaction was one of the main positive predictors of subjective well-being. Based on the results of the studies in this thesis, possible interventions are suggested to improve romantic relationships that, in turn, will contribute to a happier life.

Couples experiencing relationship distress often require professional help, such as counseling and couple and relationship education (CRE). Research recently discovered that among couples in counseling, a circular relationship exists between individual and relationship distress-stress begets stress. Until this study, a similar examination had not been conducted among couples selecting CRE. This study examined the relationship between individual and relationship distress among married couples that had children, were from predominantly low-income and racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, and selected CRE. A correlational research design was employed and framed in the social interdependence theory. The actor-partner interdependence model was conducted within a three-level hierarchical model. The results confirmed that a circular relationship exists between individual and relationship distress-distress begets distress. Within the circular model of individual and relational functioning, personal individual distress predicted partner individual distress as well as personal and partner relationship distress, and personal relationship distress predicted personal individual distress and partner relationship distress. The extent to which distress begot distress was stronger among women, those with low income, and those who were unemployed. The results also revealed a continuum of individual and relational functioning. Dyad members interact along a continuum from intrapersonal individual functioning to interpersonal relational functioning. The continua meet at the nexus of negotiation or the heart of interpersonal interaction, where dyad members communicate and make decisions, among other actions. Implications related to the findings of this study as well as inspirations for future research are discussed.

Tidigare forskning visar att det finns ett samband mellan depressionssymtom och svårigheter i partnerrelationer. Forskning visar att deltagare efter parterapi har en ökad grad av relationsnöjdhet och en lägre grad av depressionssymtom. Uppsatsen genomfördes inom DANA-projektet (IKBT vid antenatal depression) och syftet var att analysera hur relationsnöjdhet hänger ihop med behandlingsutfall, följsamhet i behandling samt vilja att arbeta med relationer i behandling. Syftet var även att analysera vilka sociodemografiska och kliniska faktorer hos gravida med depression som har ett samband med relationsnöjdhet. I resultatet framkom inget signifikant samband mellan relationsnöjdhet och behandlingsutfall, följsamhet eller val att arbeta med relationer i behandlingen. I resultatet framkom ett signifikant samband mellan högre relationsnöjdhet och högre ekonomi, högre relationsnöjdhet och högre graviditetsönskan, samt högre relationsnöjdhet och lägre grad av depressionssymtom. För att kunna dra säkrare slutsatser över hur relationsnöjdhet och större fokus på relationer påverkar behandlingsutfall vid depressionsbehandling, behövs fortsatt forskning. Fortsatt forskning behövs även för att undersöka bakomliggande faktorer och hur dessa påverkar paret och deras mående. / Previous research shows a connection between symptoms of depression and difficulties in partner-relations. It also shows that the participants relationship satisfaction increased after couples-therapy and that their symptoms of depression decreased. This thesis was conducted in the DANA-project (ICBT during antenatal depression) and the intention was to examine the effect of relationship satisfaction on treatment outcome, adherence, and motivation to work with relationships in treatment. The intention was also to analyze the connection between relationship satisfaction and sociodemographic and clinical factors during pregnancy. The result presented no significant connection between relationship satisfaction and treatment outcome, adherence, or motivation to work with relationships in treatment. Furthermore, the result presented a significant connection between higher relationship satisfaction and higher economic status, higher relationship satisfaction and higher pregnancy desire and higher relationship satisfaction and lower symptoms of depression. Further research is needed to examine how more focus on relations in treatment and relationship satisfaction effects treatment outcome. Further research is also needed to examine underlying factors and how these effect the couple and their well-being.

La transition à la parentalité est exigeante en raison des nombreux changements et demandes croissantes survenant durant cette période. Lorsque les ressources des parents sont limitées ou que leurs vulnérabilités sont trop grandes pour pouvoir s’adapter au stress, leur détresse psychologique peut se répercuter sur leur relation, ce qui peut à son tour diminuer leur satisfaction conjugale. Une majorité de nouveaux parents rapporte une diminution de leur satisfaction conjugale à l’arrivée de leur premier enfant. Afin d’examiner cette problématique, plusieurs auteurs se questionnent sur les variables pouvant influencer la satisfaction conjugale lors de la transition à la parentalité. Des chercheurs suggèrent d’ailleurs que la présence attentive constitue une ressource individuelle pouvant être associée à plus de satisfaction conjugale durant la transition à la parentalité. L’objectif général de cette thèse par articles est d’évaluer le lien dyadique entre la présence attentive et la satisfaction conjugale des nouveaux parents. Dans le premier article, ce lien est évalué à un niveau global. L’objectif étant d’évaluer les liens dyadiques entre la présence attentive dispositionnelle et la satisfaction conjugale, ainsi que le rôle du stress comme processus médiateur de cette relation. Soixante-dix-huit couples de nouveaux parents (N = 156 participants ; M = 6 mois post-partum) ont participé à l’étude. Les analyses de médiation ont été réalisées avec un modèle de médiation de l'interdépendance acteur partenaire (APIMeM). Au niveau acteur, les résultats révèlent que la présence attentive dispositionnelle des individus est négativement liée à leur stress, qui à son tour est négativement lié à leur satisfaction relationnelle. En outre, bien que toutes les effets partenaires étaient dans les directions attendues, aucun effet significatif n’a été décelé. Les résultats de cette première étude élargissent les connaissances actuelles sur l'association dyadique indirecte entre la présence attentive dispositionnelle et la satisfaction conjugale durant la transition à la parentalité en mettant en évidence le fait que cette relation est médiée par le stress. Le deuxième article porte lui aussi sur l’évaluation du lien dyadique entre la présence attentive et la satisfaction conjugale. Ce lien y est exploré en mesurant deux types de présence attentive, soit la présence attentive générale et la présence attentive relationnelle. Plus encore, la présence attentive y est mesurée au quotidien et les variations intrapersonnelles sont incluses dans les analyses statistiques. Ici aussi, soixante-dix-huit couples (N = 156 participants et 1506 observations) ont pris part à cette deuxième étude. Pendant 14 jours consécutifs, les couples ont rempli des journaux quotidiens mesurant leur niveau de présence attentive générale et relationnelle ainsi que leur satisfaction relationnelle. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide d'un modèle multiniveau avec partenaires distinguables (c-à-d., mère ayant porté le bébé versus partenaire). Les résultats montrent que les jours où les participants rapportent une présence attentive générale et relationnelle supérieure à leur niveau habituel, ils rapportent aussi avoir une plus grande satisfaction conjugale. Des effets partenaires positifs ont également été décelés pour les deux membres de la dyade. Plus précisément, les jours où les parents rapportent plus de présence attentive relationnelle qu’à l’habitude, leur partenaire rapporte plus de satisfaction conjugale. Les résultats issus de cette étude mettent en lumière le rôle central des variations intrapersonnelles de présence attentive dans les liens dyadiques entre la présence attentive et la satisfaction conjugale des nouveaux parents. Plus encore, cette recherche démontre comment la présence attentive relationnelle joue un rôle central dans ce lien dyadique. / The transition to parenthood is particularly demanding because of the accumulating changes and increasing demands during this period. When new parents' resources are limited, or their vulnerabilities are too significant to adapt to the increasing stressors, their distress can spill over into their relationship, negatively influencing their relationship satisfaction. Most new parents report a decrease in relationship satisfaction with the arrival of their first child. To address this issue, several authors have investigated the variables influencing relationship satisfaction during the transition to parenthood. Some point to mindfulness as a potential individual resource associated with greater relationship satisfaction during the transition to parenthood. This dissertation assessed the dyadic relationship between mindfulness and relationship satisfaction among new parents. The first study examined this relationship at a macro level. Specifically, its purpose was to assess the dyadic links between dispositional mindfulness and relationship satisfaction, and the role of stress as an indirect process in this dyadic relationship. A total of 78 new parent couples (N = 156 participants; M = 6 months postpartum) participated in the study. A mediation analysis was conducted with an actor-partner interdependence mediation model (APIMeM). At the actor level, results revealed that individuals' dispositional mindfulness was negatively related to their stress, which in turn was positively linked to their relational satisfaction. Furthermore, although all associations between the individuals and their partner's variables were in the expected directions, no significant partner effects were found. The results of this initial study expand current knowledge about the indirect dyadic association between dispositional mindfulness and relationship satisfaction during the transition to parenthood by highlighting stress as an indirect process underlying this association. The second study also assessed the dyadic relationship between mindfulness and relationship satisfaction. Yet, it explored this dyadic link using two measures of mindfulness, namely general mindfulness and relational mindfulness. Furthermore, mindfulness was measured daily, and within-person variations in this construct were included in the statistical analyses. A total of 78 couples (N = 156 participants and 1506 observations) participated in this second study. For 14 consecutive days, couples completed daily diaries measuring their general and relational mindfulness and relationship satisfaction. Data were analyzed using a multilevel model with distinguishable partners (i.e., childbearing mother versus partner). Overall, on days when participants reported general and relational mindfulness above their usual level, they also reported greater satisfaction within their romantic relationship. Positive partner effects were also found for both dyad members. Specifically, on days when parents reported having more relational mindfulness than usual, their partners also reported greater satisfaction in their relationship. Our results expand current scientific knowledge by highlighting the central role of within-person variations and relational mindfulness in the positive dyadic link between mindfulness and relationship satisfaction among new parents.

After facing the economic recession, the South–African and global business sectors started revaluating their human capital and the positions they represent within an organisation. Each individual now had to prove that they contributed towards the organisation’s bottom line, as each and every cent had to be counted and accounted for. Some functions within organisations could easily prove their contribution towards the bottom line by providing production or sales outputs. The public relations practitioners and the corporate communication efforts they offered, however, faced a bleak future, as their contribution towards the tangible assets was very rarely recognised (Kim, 2000:276). The financial services sector however, in which an advisor’s contribution towards the organisational bottom line is easily quantified, started to acknowledge the need for this sector to improve upon its ‘softer’ intangible assets such as client communication and client relationships. The sector believes that communication establishes relationships, and sound client relationships is the only way to sell financial products and services, as people seldom entrust their life earnings or financial dreams to strangers (Christiansen & DeVaney, 1998:7). Public relations practitioners know how to use communication optimally in the quest for building client relationships, and financial services need those skills in order to sell their products and contribute towards the bottom line. These two functions could thus work together towards the achievement of their goals - public relations to prove their bottom line contribution, and the financial services sector towards improving client relationships. These statements led to the general Research Question of this study: “What is the nature of the relationship between (i) corporate communication efforts, (ii) client communication satisfaction and (iii) client relationship satisfaction, and these concepts’ relationship to (iv) client economic contribution, within a financial services organisation?” This Research Question is answered from the systems theory as meta–theory with the support of the strategic communication, excellence and relationship management theories, and Futurum Financial Group (FFG) services as the financial services organisation for this study. A qualitative and quantitative research approach was followed to establish the constructs, and the relationships between the constructs. The Financial Advisors and public relations practitioner in FFG have a good understanding of the need for strategic communication efforts, and a relationship between their efforts and the client communication satisfaction and client relationship satisfaction could therefore be indicated. A further relationship between the client communication satisfaction and client relationship satisfaction and the client economic contribution was also established. Recommendations to improve the situation within FFG included a better focus on database administration, corporate communication consistency, Financial Advisor diligence, and providing clients with more frequent updates regarding their financial situation. The greatest strengths were client–advisor trust and corporate communication professionalism. This study thus contributes to the argument that communication efforts add tangibly, by means of client economic contribution, to the organisation’s bottom line, within the financial services industry. The study furthermore provides some recommendations for the financial services industry to improve their communication skills in order to build client relationships. / Thesis (M.A. (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

After facing the economic recession, the South–African and global business sectors started revaluating their human capital and the positions they represent within an organisation. Each individual now had to prove that they contributed towards the organisation’s bottom line, as each and every cent had to be counted and accounted for. Some functions within organisations could easily prove their contribution towards the bottom line by providing production or sales outputs. The public relations practitioners and the corporate communication efforts they offered, however, faced a bleak future, as their contribution towards the tangible assets was very rarely recognised (Kim, 2000:276). The financial services sector however, in which an advisor’s contribution towards the organisational bottom line is easily quantified, started to acknowledge the need for this sector to improve upon its ‘softer’ intangible assets such as client communication and client relationships. The sector believes that communication establishes relationships, and sound client relationships is the only way to sell financial products and services, as people seldom entrust their life earnings or financial dreams to strangers (Christiansen & DeVaney, 1998:7). Public relations practitioners know how to use communication optimally in the quest for building client relationships, and financial services need those skills in order to sell their products and contribute towards the bottom line. These two functions could thus work together towards the achievement of their goals - public relations to prove their bottom line contribution, and the financial services sector towards improving client relationships. These statements led to the general Research Question of this study: “What is the nature of the relationship between (i) corporate communication efforts, (ii) client communication satisfaction and (iii) client relationship satisfaction, and these concepts’ relationship to (iv) client economic contribution, within a financial services organisation?” This Research Question is answered from the systems theory as meta–theory with the support of the strategic communication, excellence and relationship management theories, and Futurum Financial Group (FFG) services as the financial services organisation for this study. A qualitative and quantitative research approach was followed to establish the constructs, and the relationships between the constructs. The Financial Advisors and public relations practitioner in FFG have a good understanding of the need for strategic communication efforts, and a relationship between their efforts and the client communication satisfaction and client relationship satisfaction could therefore be indicated. A further relationship between the client communication satisfaction and client relationship satisfaction and the client economic contribution was also established. Recommendations to improve the situation within FFG included a better focus on database administration, corporate communication consistency, Financial Advisor diligence, and providing clients with more frequent updates regarding their financial situation. The greatest strengths were client–advisor trust and corporate communication professionalism. This study thus contributes to the argument that communication efforts add tangibly, by means of client economic contribution, to the organisation’s bottom line, within the financial services industry. The study furthermore provides some recommendations for the financial services industry to improve their communication skills in order to build client relationships. / Thesis (M.A. (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Thèse de doctorat présenté en vue de l'obtention du doctorat en psychologie - recherche intervention, option psychologie clinique (Ph.D) / Le bien-être sexuel, soit l’évaluation subjective des aspects physiques, émotionnels, cognitifs et sociaux de sa sexualité, inclut la satisfaction sexuelle, les pensées, connaissances, émotions et expériences personnelles en lien avec la sexualité. Il est associé à plusieurs bienfaits physiques et psychologiques et constitue un ingrédient essentiel des relations amoureuses satisfaisantes. Or, la satisfaction sexuelle tend à diminuer pendant la relation et les difficultés sexuelles sont fréquentes chez les couples de longue durée. Il est donc nécessaire de s’intéresser aux facteurs favorisant le bien-être sexuel chez ces couples. Selon le Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Model of women’s sexual dysfunction (Rosen & Bergeron, 2019), des facteurs relationnels, comme les caractéristiques de la relation (p. ex. intimité), les caractéristiques individuelles des partenaires (p. ex. attachement) et les caractéristiques des activités sexuelles précises (p. ex. motivations sexuelles), doivent être considérés dans l’étude du bien-être sexuel des couples. Ainsi, la thèse visait à examiner des facteurs relationnels liés au bien-être sexuel chez les deux partenaires de couples de longue durée de la population générale. À l’aide d’un devis dyadique prospectif, la première étude a investigué le bien-être sexuel de manière globale : elle s’est penchée sur les associations entre l’intimité et la satisfaction sexuelle et conjugale pendant 13 mois chez 145 couples. Les résultats suggèrent la présence d’associations bidirectionnelles entre l’intimité et la satisfaction sexuelle ainsi qu’entre l’intimité et la satisfaction conjugale. Une perception d’intimité plus élevée était associée à des niveaux de satisfaction sexuelle et conjugale plus élevés dans le temps. En retour, des niveaux de satisfaction sexuelle et conjugale plus élevés étaient associés à une perception d’intimité plus élevée dans le temps. La deuxième étude a examiné le bien-être sexuel de façon plus proximale à l’aide d’un devis dyadique à journaux quotidiens (21 jours) : elle a investigué les associations entre les insécurités d’attachement, les motivations sexuelles d’attachement et de soutien ainsi que les émotions ressenties par les deux partenaires de 149 couples lors des activités sexuelles. Les résultats démontrent que les individus présentant plus d’évitement de l’intimité avaient moins tendance à rapporter des motivations sexuelles de soutien, ce qui était associé à des expériences émotionnelles plus négatives lors des activités sexuelles. Les personnes présentant plus d’anxiété d’abandon rapportaient davantage de motivations sexuelles d’attachement, ce qui était associé à des expériences émotionnelles plus négatives pendant les activités sexuelles pour les deux partenaires. Toutefois, les personnes présentant plus d’anxiété d’abandon rapportaient également plus de motivations sexuelles de soutien et cela était associé à des expériences émotionnelles plus positives pendant les activités sexuelles pour les deux partenaires. Les résultats de la thèse mettent en relief l’importance de considérer les prédispositions individuelles, les caractéristiques de la relation ainsi que les raisons pour lesquelles les individus s’engagent dans des interactions sexuelles pour mieux comprendre le bien-être sexuel des partenaires de couples de longue durée. La thèse apporte une contribution théorique de par son investigation de postulats théoriques peu étudiés empiriquement à ce jour. Plusieurs implications cliniques découlent également des résultats et sont discutés dans la thèse. / Sexual well-being, i.e., subjective evaluation of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of one’s sexuality including, for instance, sexual satisfaction, thoughts, knowledge, emotions and personal experiences related to sexuality, is associated with important physical and psychological health benefits. It is also an essential ingredient of a satisfying romantic relationship for many adults. However sexual satisfaction tends to decrease with the length of the relationship, and sexual difficulties are often a concern for couples in relationship therapy. Thus, there is a need to address factors that may promote sexual well-being in long-term couples. According to the Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Model of women's sexual dysfunction (Rosen & Bergeron, 2019), multiple relational factors, such as relationship characteristics (e.g., intimacy), partners’ individual characteristics (e.g., attachment), and characteristics of sexual activities (e.g., sexual motivations), must be considered when studying couples' sexual well-being. As such, the overall purpose of this dissertation was to examine relational factors related to sexual well-being in both partners of long-term couples in the general population. The first study investigated global sexual well-being by examining its involvement in relationship dynamics with a longitudinal dyadic design. Specifically, this study examined the associations between intimacy and sexual and relationship satisfaction over a 13-month period in 145 couples. The results suggest that the associations between intimacy and sexual satisfaction as well as between intimacy and relationship satisfaction are bidirectional. Indeed, higher perceived intimacy was associated with higher levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction over time. In turn, higher levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction were also associated with higher perceived intimacy over time. The second study examined sexual well-being more proximally using a dyadic daily diary design (21 days). The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between attachment insecurities, attachment- and caregiving-related sexual motives, and emotions experienced during sexual activities by both partners of 149 couples. Analyses revealed that individuals with higher levels of attachment avoidance were less likely to report caregiving sexual motives, which was associated with more negative emotional experiences during sexual activities. Individuals with higher levels of attachment anxiety reported more attachment sexual motives, which was associated with more negative emotional experiences during sexual activities for these individuals and their partners. However, individuals with higher levels of attachment anxiety also reported more caregiving sexual motives and this was associated with more positive emotional experiences during sexual activities for both partners. Overall, the dissertation and its two articles highlight the importance of considering partners’ individual predispositions, relationship characteristics, as well as the reasons why individuals engage in sexual interactions to better understand the sexual well-being of partners in long-term couples. This research makes a substantial theoretical contribution by investigating theoretical assumptions that have rarely been studied empirically to date. Several clinical implications also arise from the findings and are discussed in the dissertation.

Thèse de doctorat présenté en vue de l'obtention du doctorat en psychologie - recherche intervention, option psychologie clinique (Ph.D) / Bien que les relations amoureuses puissent enrichir la vie d’un individu et favoriser son bien-être, elles peuvent également être une source de détresse lorsque des difficultés conjugales surviennent. Les comportements positifs et négatifs émis par les partenaires pourraient avoir un rôle important à jouer dans la satisfaction et l’engagement conjugaux et sont donc souvent ciblés dans le cadre de la psychothérapie conjugale. Cependant, peu d’études se sont intéressées simultanément à ces deux types de comportements pour comprendre leur contribution relative au fonctionnement relationnel. De plus, la présence d’insécurités d’attachement (anxiété d’abandon et évitement de l’intimité), fréquentes chez les partenaires qui consultent en thérapie de couple, pourrait teinter la manière dont ces comportements sont perçus. Ainsi, il semble important de réaliser des études s’intéressant à la fois à la perception des comportements positifs et négatifs du/de la partenaire et aux insécurités d’attachement dans l’étude du lien entre ces variables et le fonctionnement relationnel. Bien que plusieurs études se soient intéressées à ces facteurs de manière indépendante, peu d’entre elles les ont considérés conjointement afin d’atteindre une compréhension plus nuancée du lien entre ces variables. De plus, très peu d’études se sont intéressées à ces variables chez les partenaires de couples en situation de détresse conjugale, un contexte pouvant aussi affecter les perceptions d’un individu à l’égard des comportements de son/sa partenaire. Cette recherche doctorale vise à mieux comprendre les liens entre la perception des comportements positifs et négatifs, les insécurités d’attachement et des indicateurs de fonctionnement relationnel chez les couples consultant en thérapie conjugale. La première étude s’est intéressée aux liens entre la perception de deux comportements du/de la partenaire, un positif (soutien conjugal) et un négatif (violence psychologique), et deux indicateurs de fonctionnement relationnel chez les deux partenaires : la satisfaction conjugale et la volonté d’investir dans la relation. Cette étude s’est aussi intéressée au rôle modérateur de l’anxiété d’abandon dans ces associations. La deuxième étude s’est intéressée aux liens entre les insécurités d’attachement et le sous-engagement des deux partenaires en considérant la perception des comportements positifs et négatifs du/de la partenaire en tant que variables intermédiaires. Dans l’ensemble, les résultats obtenus suggèrent que les comportements positifs pourraient être particulièrement importants pour expliquer le fonctionnement relationnel des partenaires en situation de détresse conjugale. Les comportements négatifs seraient également associés à leur fonctionnement relationnel, mais dans une moindre mesure que les comportements positifs. La première étude a aussi permis de démontrer que le lien entre le soutien conjugal perçu de la part du/de la partenaire et le fonctionnement relationnel varie en fonction du niveau d’anxiété d’abandon d’un individu, bien qu’il y ait des différences de genre. La deuxième étude a démontré que la perception des comportements positifs du/de la partenaire pourrait constituer un mécanisme impliqué dans l’association entre les insécurités d’attachement et le sous-engagement des partenaires. Nos résultats suggèrent que l’augmentation des comportements positifs, tout en favorisant leur perception par les partenaires, pourrait constituer un facteur-clé des interventions visant à améliorer le fonctionnement relationnel des partenaires en situation de détresse conjugale. / While romantic relationships can enrich an individual's life and promote their well-being, they can also be a source of distress when relational difficulties arise. Positive and negative partner behaviors could have an important role to play in relationship satisfaction and relationship commitment and as such, they are often targeted in the context of couple therapy. However, few studies have considered these two types of behaviors simultaneously to understand their relative contribution to relationship outcomes. In addition, the presence of attachment insecurities (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance), which are frequent among partners who seek couple therapy, could change the way that these behaviors are perceived. Thus, it seems important to carry out studies focusing both on the perception of positive and negative partner behaviors and on attachment insecurities in the study of the association between these variables and relationship outcomes. Although several studies have investigated these factors independently, few studies have considered these factors together to achieve a more nuanced understanding of the association between these variables. Moreover, very few studies have looked at these variables in partners of relationally distressed couples, a context also likely to affect an individual's perceptions of their partner's behaviors. This doctoral research aims to better understand the links between the perception of positive and negative partner behaviors, attachment insecurities, and relationship outcomes among couples seeking couple therapy. The first study focused on the links between the perception of two partner behaviors, one that is positive (support) and one that is negative (psychological aggression), and two relationship outcomes in both partners: relationship satisfaction and the willingness to invest in the relationship. This study also investigated the moderating role of attachment anxiety in these associations. The second study investigated the links between attachment insecurities and both partners’ under-commitment by considering the perception of positive and negative partner behaviors as intermediate variables. Overall, the results suggest that positive partner behaviors could be particularly important to explain relationship outcomes in relationally distressed partners. Negative behaviors would also be associated with relationship outcomes, but to a lesser extent than positive behaviors. The first study also showed that the link between perceived partner support and relationship outcomes varies with an individual’s level of attachment anxiety, although there are gender differences. The second study showed that perceived positive partner behaviors may be a mechanism involved in the association between attachment insecurities and both partners’ under-commitment. Our results suggest that increasing positive behaviors, while also promoting their perception by the partners, could be key for interventions aimed at improving relationship outcomes in relationally distressed partners.