Romantic disengagement is a disturbingly prevalent yet understudied cause of marital distress and dissolution. Existing research on disengagement has been primarily descriptive and limited by reliance on retrospective reports from already disengaged spouses. Theoretically informed prospective research to elucidate the process through which some spouses become increasingly disengaged from their partners over time is necessary to facilitate clinical intervention efforts. Thus the purpose of this research was to propose a theoretically informed model of the process of romantic disengagement and then to perform preliminary tests of pieces of the model. The model was tested in a sample of 103 married couples assessed six times over their first seven years of marriage. Pieces of the model that were tested included (1) the implication that avoidant and disengaging behaviors toward one's partner, particularly during times of need or increased stress (such as marital conflict interactions), are indicators of a process of romantic disengagement, (2) that predispositional and contextual factors interact to predict a spouse's greater tendency to behave avoidantly during couple interactions, and (3) that spouses tendency to be more avoidant with his or her partner later in marriage will be greater to the extent that avoidance is reinforced early in marriage. First, I examined whether avoidant behavior during marital conflict contributes to a process of romantic disengagement as evidenced by declines in trust and intimacy and declines in marital satisfaction. Consistent with hypotheses, I found higher conflict avoidance was associated with declines in trust and intimacy and declines in marital satisfaction. Second, I tested two predispositional (i.e., spouses' attachment avoidance and avoidant coping style) and two contextual factors (spouses' role during support interactions, and the partner's negative affect) that were expected to interact to predict whether spouses behave avoidantly during specific couple interactions. I found mixed support for hypotheses depending on spouse and interaction type. Specifically, during conflict interactions, husbands and wives with higher attachment avoidance, and wives with more avoidant coping styles, behaved more avoidantly to the extent that their partners were higher in negative affect. During supportive transactions, husbands with more avoidant coping styles were more disengaged to the extent that their wives were higher in negative affect. Third, I tested my hypothesis that a spouse will be more avoidant with his or her partner later in marriage to the extent that avoidance is reinforced early in marriage. I found partial support for this hypothesis. Husbands' disengagement during conflict interactions interacted with improved mood post-interaction to predict husbands' disengagement across interactions at 7 years of marriage. In summary, this research presents an integrated theoretical model of romantic disengagement and provides preliminary support for aspects of the model.

<p>The purpose of the study was to study various factors which might influence the level</p><p>of satisfaction in close relationships. The theories which have been covered are: The</p><p>triangular theory of love, The Investment model, Bowlby´s and Ainsworth attachment</p><p>theories, The Equity theory, and the reward theory of attraction. The variables which</p><p>were studied were: intimacy, rewards, commitment and equity. The level of perceived</p><p>superiority was also studied, as well as satisfaction level in comparison to duration in</p><p>the current relationship. A multiple regression was employed to find out which one of</p><p>the variables above would associate strongest with satisfaction. A questionnaire was</p><p>used to collect the data and a reliability test was therefore carried out. 72</p><p>participants took part in the study, 44 females and 28 males. The result showed that</p><p>commitment had the strongest association with satisfaction, followed by intimacy.</p><p>The result also showed that there was a negative significant correlation between</p><p>superiority and level of satisfaction. More over the result did not show any</p><p>correlation between duration in the current relationship and satisfaction. Two</p><p>regressions were also performed to see which one of the variables (intimacy, reward,</p><p>commitment and equity) would associate strongest with satisfaction in two conditions.</p><p>The results showed that commitment had the strongest association for the condition</p><p>with the participants who had been in their relationship 1-6 years. Commitment also</p><p>had the strongest association in the other condition followed by intimacy. In this</p><p>condition the participants had been in their relationship for seven years or more. The</p><p>main discussion points have been the current results in comparison to other’s</p><p>research in the area as well as suggestions for future research.</p>

<p>This study aims at investigating the spousal relationships of persons who have been diagnosed with dementia and are living in a nursing home. Eight spouses’ descriptions of their relationship, spousal interaction and the relationship´s impact on the spouse´s life were captured through qualitative interviews. The results show three main types of interaction patterns: one of spousal joy and happiness; a combination of both happiness and sadness; and a pattern of no positive reactions. The strength of the relationship was based on the analysis of trust, intimacy and commitment to the relationship. The spouses who described their relationships as most meaningful were strongly committed and expressed trust. Intimacy was generally low. When asked about plans for the future the results showed that some spouses included the person with dementia, while others excluded. This combined with the view of how the dementia disease affects the person, shows that in meaningful interactions the spouse separated the disease from the person. The relationships where interactions were more problematic showed that this separation did not occur in the same way.</p>

This project builds a theory of the presence and practice of grace in intimate interpersonal communication utilizing the writings of C.S. Lewis and his intellectual mentors. Lewis, who wrote extensively on the theory and practice of love, offers a compelling approach to understanding human relationships from a Christian philosophical perspective. &lt;br&gt;The first chapter begins with major questions and themes in the interpersonal literature concerning human discourse, relation, and action. Lewis frames human relationships in a robustly theoretical and practical manner, characterizing the conditions of our discursive relational selves as difficult yet joyful. He argues that the work of intimate interpersonal relationship building is in need of the presence and practice of grace. &lt;br&gt;The second chapter expands upon Lewis's response to his historical moment. Lewis's Christian theism lends him a compelling scholarly and pragmatic standpoint amongst the other critics of modernity. He is writing and living within the cusp of historical change. Accordingly, the chapter discusses key texts in which Lewis articulates the problematic trends within modernity concerning presuppositions of human discourse and relation. Together, these texts speak to the presence and practice of grace in intimate interpersonal communication. &lt;br&gt;Chapters Three, Four, and Five outline the major metaphors which build a theory of grace in intimate relationships: sentiment, will, and responsiveness. Lewis's work suggests that we as scholars and practitioners should consider intimate interpersonal communication as a matter of sentiment understood philosophically, will understood phenomenologically, and responsiveness understood ontologically. These metaphors frame intimacy as heartfelt choice, loving labor, and responsiveness to form. Each of these metaphors build upon the other, and each chapter concludes with specific implications for interpersonal communication theory and practice. &lt;br&gt;Chapter Six discusses current discursive and practical trends concerning intimacy development. The project argues that adolescents and young adults meet challenging moments of relational development with incongruent beliefs and practices, often rendering them ill-prepared for intimacy. In a culmination of the major metaphors of this project, the concluding sections discuss approaches to teaching young adults about how to feel, will, and respond in intimate contexts in a manner which leads to good and gracious love. / McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts / Communication and Rhetorical Studies / PhD / Dissertation

The purpose of the study was to study various factors which might influence the level of satisfaction in close relationships. The theories which have been covered are: The triangular theory of love, The Investment model, Bowlby´s and Ainsworth attachment theories, The Equity theory, and the reward theory of attraction. The variables which were studied were: intimacy, rewards, commitment and equity. The level of perceived superiority was also studied, as well as satisfaction level in comparison to duration in the current relationship. A multiple regression was employed to find out which one of the variables above would associate strongest with satisfaction. A questionnaire was used to collect the data and a reliability test was therefore carried out. 72 participants took part in the study, 44 females and 28 males. The result showed that commitment had the strongest association with satisfaction, followed by intimacy. The result also showed that there was a negative significant correlation between superiority and level of satisfaction. More over the result did not show any correlation between duration in the current relationship and satisfaction. Two regressions were also performed to see which one of the variables (intimacy, reward, commitment and equity) would associate strongest with satisfaction in two conditions. The results showed that commitment had the strongest association for the condition with the participants who had been in their relationship 1-6 years. Commitment also had the strongest association in the other condition followed by intimacy. In this condition the participants had been in their relationship for seven years or more. The main discussion points have been the current results in comparison to other’s research in the area as well as suggestions for future research.

This study aims at investigating the spousal relationships of persons who have been diagnosed with dementia and are living in a nursing home. Eight spouses’ descriptions of their relationship, spousal interaction and the relationship´s impact on the spouse´s life were captured through qualitative interviews. The results show three main types of interaction patterns: one of spousal joy and happiness; a combination of both happiness and sadness; and a pattern of no positive reactions. The strength of the relationship was based on the analysis of trust, intimacy and commitment to the relationship. The spouses who described their relationships as most meaningful were strongly committed and expressed trust. Intimacy was generally low. When asked about plans for the future the results showed that some spouses included the person with dementia, while others excluded. This combined with the view of how the dementia disease affects the person, shows that in meaningful interactions the spouse separated the disease from the person. The relationships where interactions were more problematic showed that this separation did not occur in the same way.

The purpose of this research was to identify the contributors to optimal sexual experiences. At present, there is a lack of clinical knowledge, research knowledge and in-depth public discourse concerning the nature of healthy sexuality. The theoretical and research literature in this area has focused almost exclusively on defining and conceptualizing sexual dysfunctions with little attention paid to either normal or satisfactory experiences. Very little theory exists on the nature and components of optimal sexuality. To date, no empirical investigations have been done to determine the contributors to optimal sexual experiences. In order to identify the contributors to optimal sexual experiences, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 individuals who reported having experienced “great sex”. A phenomenologically-oriented content analysis was performed on interview transcripts to determine the contributors to optimal sexual experiences. Analysis led to the identification of seven major contributors, two pathways towards optimal sexual experiences and two minor contributors. The major contributors included developmental contributors, individual qualities overall, individual qualities in-the moment, skills, relationship qualities overall, relationship qualities in-the-moment and environmental, situational and preparatory contributors. Each of these larger themes was also characterized by a variety of more specific themes. The two pathways that led to optimal sexual experiences included individual qualities that facilitated relationship qualities and relationship qualities that facilitated individual qualities. Finally, the minor contributors consisted of personal proclivities and miscellaneous contributors. Noteworthy findings of this investigation are discussed and then compared and contrasted with existing research and theory. The implications of this work for the general public, sex therapy, sex education, theory and research are considered as well as the strengths and limitations of this study.

The purpose of this study was to illuminate the experienced impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) within the context of intimate relationships. Few studies have examined the lived experience of CSA within the context of a relationship from the perspective both partners. Further, previous research in the area of CSA has primarily focused on the trauma experienced by the survivor, thus excluding the impact of CSA on the couple relationship. Examining the impact of CSA on intimate relationships is important as those individuals in close relationship with the survivor will often also experience the impact of the long-term sequelae associated with CSA. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to explore the lived experiences of individuals who have experienced CSA and their partners. Data generated during two joint interviews with three participant couples were transcribed and analysed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. An over-arching theme of hope and healing: past yet present, healed yet healing emerged from the data; this theme was impacted by the additional themes identified throughout the analysis process. The additional three themes were: living with the unknown, (barely) surviving, and commitment. Given the limited research on the impact of CSA on intimate partnerships and the focus of existing studies on the more negative aspects of the impact CSA has on relationships, the theme of hope and healing: past yet present, healed yet healing provides a valuable contribution to the literature. These themes are discussed along with implications for counselling practices and future research.

Föreställningar kring maskulinitet och våld är i dagens samhälle nära sammankopplade och har så varit även historiskt. Denna studie har som mål att undersöka hur dessa sammankopplingar påverkar män som tränar och tävlar MMA och hur det påverkar deras maskulinitetskonstruktioner. Genom att undersöka dessa mäns inställning till våld, maskulinitet och intimitet inom MMA, syftar studien till att tydliggöra den diskurs som vuxit fram på en kampsortsklubb i Sverige. Slutsatsen av denna undersökning är att en tillsynes motsägelsefull bild kring våld och intimitet konstruerats inom denna diskurs. Inom MMA-diskursen finns utrymme för fysisk intimitet på ett sätt som sällan accepteras mellan män i samhället utanför. Samtidigt kan inställningen till våld förklaras genom att utövarna skiljer våldsamma handlingar från aggressivitet och därför inte ser utövandet som våld. / Concepts about masculinity and violence are closely connected in today´s society, and have been so historically as well. The purpose of this essay is to study how these connections influence men who practice and compete in MMA and how this affects their construction of  masculinities. By the study of these men’s attitudes towards violence, masculinity and intimacy within MMA, this study aims to clarify the discourse that has developed in a martial arts club in Sweden. The conclusion of this study is that a seemingly contradictory image of violence and intimacy is produced in this discourse. Inside the MMA discourse there is room for physical intimacy between men in a way that is rarely accepted in society at large. At the same time their attitudes towards violence can be explained by the fact that the practitioners separate violent actions from aggression and therefor do not view these actions as violence.

The purpose of this study was to illuminate the experienced impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) within the context of intimate relationships. Few studies have examined the lived experience of CSA within the context of a relationship from the perspective both partners. Further, previous research in the area of CSA has primarily focused on the trauma experienced by the survivor, thus excluding the impact of CSA on the couple relationship. Examining the impact of CSA on intimate relationships is important as those individuals in close relationship with the survivor will often also experience the impact of the long-term sequelae associated with CSA. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to explore the lived experiences of individuals who have experienced CSA and their partners. Data generated during two joint interviews with three participant couples were transcribed and analysed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. An over-arching theme of hope and healing: past yet present, healed yet healing emerged from the data; this theme was impacted by the additional themes identified throughout the analysis process. The additional three themes were: living with the unknown, (barely) surviving, and commitment. Given the limited research on the impact of CSA on intimate partnerships and the focus of existing studies on the more negative aspects of the impact CSA has on relationships, the theme of hope and healing: past yet present, healed yet healing provides a valuable contribution to the literature. These themes are discussed along with implications for counselling practices and future research.