The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of verbally aggressive messages on women's self-concepts within romantic relationships. Through a qualitative methodological approach, this study examined the effects of such messages in the role of control negotiation, effects on women's self-concepts, and effects on future communication patterns. Through one-on-one interviews, women who have previously been in verbally abusive relationships were given the opportunity to share their individual stories through a narrative analysis. In addition, the theories of Communication Theory of Identity and Relationship Scripts were applied to understand the relationship between the effects of the messages on attitudes, behaviors, sense of identity, and communication patterns of the participants.The results indicated negative effects on victims who have experienced verbally abusive relationships. The need for control exemplified by the male aggressors resulted in compliance by the participants. The participants also experienced lower self-esteem and change or loss of personal identity, which affected communication in subsequent romantic relationships. / Department of Speech Communication

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

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

Thesis (DPsych) -- Swinburne University of Technology, 2006. / Submitted in partial requirement of the requirements for the award of Professional Doctorate in Psychology (DPsych) by Swinburne University of Technology, 2006. Includes bibliographical references (p. 226-243).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Miami, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-69).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Waikato, 2007. / Title from PDF cover (viewed April 4, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 280-297)

Thesis (B.A.)--Haverford College, Dept. of Psychology, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.