The present exploration of perceptual accuracy and bias in romantic relationships bridges a gap in the literature on the ability of partners to estimate one another’s level of relational and sexual satisfaction, and its impact on their own and their partner’s level of satisfaction. A sample of 50 couples, recruited internationally, in continuously monogamous relationships of at least six-months in length completed online assessments of their relationship. The degree of accuracy and bias of their perception was established by comparing actor’s estimates of their partner’s satisfaction with the partner’s actual, self-reported satisfaction scores. The actor-partner interdependence model (APIM; Kenny, Kashy, & Cook, 2006) revealed significant partner effects (but no actor effects): the underestimation of perceived partner’s sexual and relational satisfaction predicted an increase in partner’s actual sexual and relational satisfaction. Overestimation of partner’s satisfaction, on the other hand, predicted a decrease in partner’s actual satisfaction. Authors hypothesize that under-perception of partner’s satisfaction motivates corrective relationship behaviors, which, in turn, increases the experience of satisfaction of the relationship partner.

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits, an affective component of psychopathy, are associated with problematic outcomes in social relationships in adolescents. However, their association with problematic romantic relationships in young adults has not been the focus of research. In a community sample of 216 college students (167 females) between the ages of 18 to 50, the current study examined the association between CU traits and several important romantic relationship outcomes. Results indicated that CU traits showed positive associations with dominance and partner’s perceived submissiveness, but negative associations with relationship satisfaction, even after controlling for impulsivity and antisocial behavior. On the other hand, antisocial behavior showed unique positive associations with short-term mating, psychological aggression towards partner, and partner’s perceived CU traits, even after controlling for CU traits. Further, results indicated that CU traits, impulsivity, and antisocial behavior showed positive associations with physical aggression towards partner. However, once these variables were entered in a multiple regression model simultaneously, none of these associations remained significant, suggesting it is the shared variance across these three variables that accounts for physical aggression. Implications for research and treatment are discussed.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Joyce Baptist / Very little research has been conducted to understand how the technology revolution has changed and impacted couple relationships. The proposed study examined the impact of technology on couples in committed relationships through the lens of the couple and technology framework. Specifically, this study used data from 2,826 European couples to examine associations between online boundary crossing, online intrusion, relationship satisfaction, and partner responsiveness. The results suggest that when participants’ reported that their partner checked up on their online activities more frequently that this was linked with lower scores on relationship satisfaction and partner responsiveness. Also, decreased scores for relationship satisfaction and partner responsiveness were associated with increased acceptance for their partner using the Internet to talk with someone attractive about everyday life or pop culture, personal information, and relationship troubles or concerns. Lastly, the results suggest that men, but not women, who reported greater acceptability for online boundary crossing were more likely to have partners who reported lower relationship satisfaction in their relationships. Implications for clinicians, relationship educators, and researchers are discussed.

Diese Untersuchung beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, welche Krankheitskonzepte depressiven Patienten (ICD-10) und ihre Partnern haben und welche Behandlungs-erfahrungen gemacht wurden. Das Ziel der Untersuchung besteht darin, auf der Grundlage einer ressourcenorientierten explorativen Sichtweise die rehabilitativen Möglichkeiten für depressive Patienten und ihre Partner zu erweitern und geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede einzubeziehen. Die Forschung zur Compliance macht deutlich, dass die Übereinstimmung der Krankheitskonzepte die Behandlungsergebnisse entscheidend verbessern kann. Es wurde den Fragen nachgegangen, worin sich die Attributionen auf Krankheitsursachen bei Patienten und ihren Partnern unterscheiden und welche Auswirkungen sich für das partnerschaftliche Unterstützungsverhalten ergeben. Zudem wurden die motiva-tionalen Schemata auf der Grundlage der Konsistenztheorie (Grawe, 1998; 2004) erhoben, Geschlechtsunterschiede und die Partnerschaftsqualität beachtet. Als Theorien wurden zum Beispiel die Theorie der wahrgenommenen Verantwortlichkeit (Weiner, 1986) und der gelernten Hilflosigkeit (Seligman, 1975; Abramson, Seligman & Teasdale, 1978) und daraus Fragestellungen entwickelt. Diese Arbeit hat sich die Aufgabe gestellt, die persönlichen Besonderheiten der depressiven Patienten und ihrer Partner zu beachten. Die Methodik besteht aus einem semistrukturierten qualitativen Interview sowie standardisierten Fragebögen. Es wurden 46 depressive Patienten und 46 Partner einer Psychiatrie- und Psychotherapiestation untersucht. Es konnten verschiedene Zusammenhänge zwischen der Partnerschaftsqualität, der partnerschaftlichen Unterstützung, den Einstellungen und motivationalen Schemata gefunden werden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass geschlechtsspezifische Unter-schiede bei Patienten und Partnern viel stärker in der Therapie beachtet werden sollten. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass sich innerhalb der diagnostischen Zuord-nung einer Depression sehr verschiedene individuelle Krankheitskonzepte bei Patienten und bei den Partnern ergeben. Es lassen sich jedoch auch Probleme aufzeigen, die mit einem leitlinienorientierten Vorgehen in der Psychotherapie verbunden sind. Die qualitative Befragung konnte innere Prozesse und Entwicklungen gut sichtbar machen, die quantitative Methodik der Fragebögen bildete Status und überdauernde Motive gut ab. Mögliche Anwendungen und Impli-kationen für die klinische Praxis sowie die Einbeziehung der Partner werden diskutiert. / This study is employed with the questions what kind of illness representations and experiences of examination are generated by depressive patients (ICD-10) and their partners. The goal is existed in finding more possibilities in rehabilitation and therapy for the couples are based on resources and sex differences. The research of compliance comes to the resolution that the agreement in illness representations is able to improve the outcomes of therapy. Therefore, the questions are, which differences in illness representations by patients and partners, expectations, solutions of support by the couples, males and females can be found and what are the consequences for compliance and their relationship. Then, the motivational schemata based on the consistence-theory (Grawe, 1998; 2004) were considered. On basic were included the theories of perceived responsibility (Weiner, 1986) and learned helplessness (Seligman, 1975; Abramson, Seligman & Teasdale, 1978) and then developed individual questions. The method is a mixed design in qualitative (semi-structured interview) and quantitative instruments (tests). Data are used from 92 persons, 46 patients they are in clinical treatment and their partners. There are found that quality of partnership is associated with support, the expectations, attitudes and individual motivational schemata of the persons. Sex differences should be stronger observed in treatment. Turns out, into the notation “depression”, there are different individual illness representations of patients and their partners. The application of guideline-oriented procedures in psychotherapy has been criticized. Qualitative interviews were appropriate to describe processes and developments, quantitative tests were appropriate to expose the status and outlasting motives. Results are presented in terms of their implications for supporting treatment and involving partners into this process.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T19:35:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 6 / Nenhuma / Esta pesquisa investiga a percepção do amor, baseada na Teoria Triangular do Amor de Sternberg, tanto do ponto de vista das esposas quanto dos maridos. Além disto, pretende-se relacionar os componentes do amor (intimidade, decisão/compromisso e paixão) com outras variáveis, como a depressão, a ansiedade, a satisfação e a qualidade com o relacionamento de casais. Busca também verificar alguns preditores de qualidade e satisfação no relacionamento. Participaram deste estudo 50 casais heterossexuais com tempo médio de relacionamento de 13,78 anos e faixa etária entre 24 e 60 anos. Os casais responderam os seguintes instrumentos: Questionário de Informações Gerais, Escala do Amor de Sternberg (ETAS), Escala de Ajustamento Diádico – DAS (Dyadic Adjustment Scale), Inventário Beck de Ansiedade e Depressão (BAI, BDI). A análise dos dados foi feita por meio de análises de regressão linear e uso de Teste t para variáveis independentes e dependentes. Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferença significativa entre as / Guided by Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love, this Master’ thesis advances an investigation about the perception of love by both wives and husbands. Love components (intimacy, passion and decision/commitment) will be related to other variables, such as depression, anxiety, satisfaction, and the couples’ relationship quality. It also sets off to verify some predictors of quality and satisfaction in a relationship. A total of 50 couples participated in the research. Their average relationship time ranges from 13 to 78 years together and their age ranges from 24 to 60 years old. The couples responded the following research tools: General Information Questionnaire, Sternberg’s Triangular Love Scale (ETAS), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), Beck’s Inventory of Anxiety and Depression (BAI, BDI). Data were analysed via linear regression and the use of the t test to independent and dependent variables. The results indicate that there is no significant difference between husbands’ perception of love and that of their

This study bridges the gap in the literature about the association between smartphone use and emotional intelligence on romantic relationship satisfaction. A sample of 161 undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 26 at the University of Kentucky were recruited to complete an online survey about their smartphone usage, emotional intelligence, and romantic relationship satisfaction. Associations between smartphone usage and emotional intelligence, smartphone usage and romantic relationship satisfaction, and emotional intelligence and romantic relationship satisfaction were found. Specifically, productive smartphone usage was found to be positively associated with romantic relationship satisfaction, while problem smartphone usage was found to be negatively associated with romantic relationship satisfaction. Emotional intelligence was found to be positively associated with both productive smartphone usage and romantic relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that both smartphone usage and emotional intelligence can impact romantic relationship satisfaction. This study provides important implications for therapists working with couples to help improve their romantic relationship satisfaction.

Young adult women in their first and second year of college are a group more commonly impacted by health-related concerns associated with condom use. Due to lack of consistent condom use and the increase in sexual partners, STIs remain an epidemic. Various types of studies have been conducted to investigate condom use among women college students. One factor that may influence condom use is the partner relationship. The literature on safe sex practices shows a gap regarding relationship quality and its potential influence on condom use. Guided by the Fletcher et al. model and Sternberg's triangular theory of love, the goal of this study was to explore whether the likelihood of using condoms is influenced by relationship quality components. Using a sample of 85 women college students, relationship quality was examined using the Perceived Relationship Quality Components Inventory. Using a binary logistic regression model, no statistically significant associations among relationship satisfaction, commitment, intimacy, trust, passion, love, overall relationship quality and condom use were found. The findings in this study confirm the existing knowledge, that is, condom use trends and behaviors among young college women remain unpredictable. Limitations to the study include a small sample size, age of majority in Nebraska, and failure to screen for important demographics. For the future, longitudinal studies would offer insight into how condom use behaviors vary depending on fluctuations in relationship quality. This study has implications for positive social change: It suggests an emphasis on a relationship-focused approach to condom use behaviors when working with freshman and sophomore college women.

Diese Dissertation untersuchte individuelle Anpassungsprozesse, die psychologische Distanz in Fernbeziehungen (FB) reflektieren und regulieren. Es wurde postuliert, dass Beziehungsqualität und -stabilität ohne Präsenz des Partners gesichert wird, indem viele kompensatorischen Prozesse auf die wahrgenommene Verfügbarkeit des Partners (Bowlby, 1969/1980), abzielen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen dass die im Vergleich zu zusammenlebenden Paaren erhöhte Bindungsängstlichkeit bei FBs die inkonsistente Verfügbarkeit des Partners reflektiert, und insgesamt für die Beziehungsentwicklung weniger schädlich ist als Vermeidung. Bindung reguliert ferner die psychologische Distanz durch den Einfluss auf adaptive Kommunikationsprozesse. Wenn Aspekte wie sexuelle Zufriedenheit nicht kompensiert werden können, scheinen FBs ihre Einschätzung der Beziehung stark auf Momente des Sehens und die Beziehungsqualität zurückzuführen. / This dissertation proposed how relationship quality and stability in long-distance relationships (LDRs) is maintained without physical presence of the partner by basing compensatory processes on perceived partner availability, a core component of attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969/1980). The findings indicate that heightened anxiety reflects the inconsistent partner availability in LDRs, and is less detrimental to relationship development than avoidance. Attachment orientations further regulated the psychological distance between partners by influencing adaptive and protective communicative processes. There was indication that when relational aspects, such as sexual satisfaction, cannot be compensated for, LDRs base their evaluation on face-to-face experiences and general relationship quality indicators. 1

Love and sex change over the course of a relationship. The current research investigates the factors that contribute to sexual desire and sexual satisfaction in long-term couples. In two studies, the association between motivational goals for sex, interdependence, and sexual outcomes were explored. Study 1 was a cross-sectional survey. The results of Study 1 revealed that participants who engaged in sex more often for approach goals reported higher levels of desire, whereas participants who engaged in sex more often for avoidance goals reported lower levels of desire. Study 2 was a 21-day daily experience study involving a subset of the participants from Study 1. The results of Study 2 indicated that on days when participants reported engaging in sex more for approach goals they reported greater sexual desire, whereas on days when participants reported engaging in sex more for avoidance goals they reported lower levels of sexual desire. Partner-focused, as opposed to self-focused sexual goals, were primarily responsible for these associations. In both studies, relationship satisfaction was also associated with higher desire, and this was mediated by the tendency of people who are more satisfied to engage in sex more often for approach goals. In Study 2, approach goals moderated the impact of avoidance goals on sexual desire, and this association differed by gender. Stronger approach goals buffered against declines in sexual desire associated with avoidance goals for women, but not for men. The findings support the utility of applying a motivational framework to the study of sexuality in established couples and the greater relevance of partner-focused sexual goals in long-term relationships.

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship among conflict distress, conflict attributions (self/partner blame), perceived conflict behaviors (similarity/difference) and relationship satisfaction. Relationship Conflict Inventory (RCI), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), Conflict Behaviors Questionnaire and Demographic Information Form was administered to 58 dating couples. In order to investigate the predictive power of conflict distress level, conflict attributions (self/partner blame), perceived conflict behaviors (similarity/difference) and demographic variables on relationship satisfaction stepwise regression analyses was carried out. Moreover, separate cross partial pairwise intraclass correlations conducted in order to examine the relationship between one partner&#039 / s conflict distress level, conflict attributions (self/partner blame), perceived conflict behaviors (similarity/difference) and the other partner&#039 / s relationship satisfaction / and to examine the relationship between one partner&#039 / s conflict distress, conflict attributions (self/partner blame) and the other partner&#039 / s perceived conflict behaviors (similarity/difference). Additionally, it was also aimed to examine demographic variables&#039 / (namely, gender) effects on each variable and in all analysis. The results revealed that higher levels of conflict distress and perceived difference on conflict behaviors predict lower levels of relationship satisfaction. Additionally, results yielded that in predicting women&#039 / s relationship satisfaction conflict distress accounts as the only variable, whereas for men similarity on perceived conflict behaviors and blaming self predicted relationship saitsfaction. It is also found that one partner&#039 / s conflict distress, partner blame and perceived conflict behavior difference negatively correlated with the other partner&#039 / s relationship satisfaction / and one partner&#039 / s conflict distress and partner blame is positively correlated with the other partner&#039 / s perceived conflict behaviors (similarity/difference). Furthermore, results indicated no gender differences on conflict distress level, conflict attributions (self/partner blame), and perceived conflict behavior (similarity/difference). The results are discussed in the light of literature.