<p> Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been linked to different aspects of romantic relationship functioning. The literature demonstrates mixed results on which type of PTSD symptom is most impactful for successful romantic relationships. Many studies have examined this association both cross sectionally and longitudinally, and in many different populations. This association is of importance particularly for those highly exposed to trauma, such as those in the National Guard. The current study had two aims. The first was to examine the rates of change in Guard member’s (N = 175) PTSD and relationship functioning and their partners (N = 176) relationship functioning, across three waves following deployment. The second was to investigate the unique impact of each PTSD symptom cluster (re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal) occurring in the Guard Member on their own and their partner’s measures of relationship functioning. These aims were achieved through a secondary data analysis of a larger study that followed National Guard families from predeployment throughout reintegration. For the purposes of this analysis, Guard Member’s and their partners were assessed on relationship functioning measures 2 months, 8 months, and 13 months after deployment. The Guard member’s PTSD symptoms were assessed at the same time points. Multilevel modelling revealed that the Guard member’s PTSD symptoms and relationship functioning did not change significantly over time. Partner’s relationship functioning did not change either, with the exception of active engagement. Regression analysis revealed that Guard member’s PTSD <em>avoidance</em> symptoms are most strongly associated with both the Guard member and their partners ratings of relationship functioning. These findings identify an important area of possible intervention.  </p>

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Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is the direct, purposeful self-infliction of injury, which results in tissue damage, is performed without conscious suicidal intent and through methods that are not socially sanctioned (Nixon & Heath, 2009). The phenomenon of self-injurious behaviours is alarming, especially among adolescents and young adults (Muehlenkamp, 2005). In fact, it is estimated that lifetime prevalence of NSSI in young adults within the general population is around 12% to 38% (for reviews, see Heath, Schaub, Holly, & Nixon, 2009; Jacobson & Gould, 2007; Rodham & Hawton, 2009). While this proportion declines when assessing recent NSSI (i.e., usually performed in the past six months or in the past year), the numbers are still disturbing with 2.5% to 12.5% of young adults reporting current NSSI (for reviews, see Heath et al., 2009; Jacobson & Gould, 2007; Rodham & Hawton, 2009). The goal of this thesis is to investigate the associations between romantic relationships and NSSI in young adults and to address two major limitations that emerge from the literature, namely: a) several theoretical hypotheses have yet to be validated despite considerable advances in the scientific study of NSSI; and b) with the exception of one study, the few studies available relating romantic relationships and NSSI solely focused on the individual level of analysis instead of including both partners in the model. This goal will be addressed through three articles, each targeting specific objectives. For the sake of methodological rigor and for adequate evaluation of the constructs under study, the purpose of the first study was to validate the factorial structure of the English version of the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI; Bodenmann, 2008). A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) corroborated the measurement theory of the DCI by revealing the presence of five coping factors (i.e., stress communication, supportive dyadic coping, delegated dyadic coping, negative dyadic coping, common dyadic coping) and two target factors (i.e., one’s own dyadic coping and partner’s dyadic coping). The English DCI also demonstrated good internal reliability and yielded preliminary evidence of concurrent validity. All together, these findings lead to the conclusion that the English DCI is an accurate and reliable measure of dyadic coping, and that researchers can use the English DCI confidently in their research to evaluate dyadic coping processes. The established factorial structure of the English DCI was then used in subsequent studies of this thesis. The purpose of the second study was to investigate direct and indirect associations between insecure romantic attachment, difficulties in emotion regulation and common dyadic coping strategies, and endorsement of NSSI behaviours. From an empirical standpoint, this study is the first to explore these specific relationships in one comprehensive model, targeting both interpersonal and intrapersonal strategies to deal with stressful experiences and the role it might have on one’s NSSI behaviours. Overall, the results revealed that difficulties in emotion regulation mediated the relationships between romantic attachment insecurity (i.e., attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) and NSSI, whereas no such effects were found for common dyadic coping strategies. Findings from this study suggest that intrapersonal strategies (i.e., emotion regulation) might be more influential on one’s NSSI behaviours than behavioural strategies (i.e., common dyadic coping). This study also offers a first step towards the understanding of the romantic relational context of individuals struggling with NSSI behaviours. The next step remains to explore the couple as the unit of analysis rather than focusing on only one member of the relationship, giving way to the third study of this thesis. The primary aim of the third study was to generate a general portrait of young women’s romantic relationship functioning, distinguishing women who recently self-injured from those who have never self-injured. This study was designed to permit the exploration of not only the individual-level effects, but also potential effects from the romantic partner. Through a series of nonparametric Mann-Whitney U tests, results revealed that women who engage in NSSI behaviours are more likely to report subjective distress in the form of attachment anxiety and distrust compared to women who do not engage in NSSI behaviours. They also reported good, but slightly lower levels of, relationship satisfaction and adaptive dyadic coping strategies compared to women who have never engaged in NSSI. Findings also showed that partners of women who engage in NSSI behaviour reported more attachment anxiety than partners of women who do not engage in NSSI behaviours. The women and their partner’s reports about their romantic relationship experiences provide unique insight into the similarities and differences of individuals who self-injure and those who do not. Furthermore, a cursory exploration of the partners’ NSSI behaviours revealed that nearly one-third of the partners in a relationship with women who self-injured also reported having recently engaged in NSSI behaviours. These findings add some depth to the understanding of the relational context of those who are struggling with NSSI and provide future directions in research.

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The current study examined the relations between parental and relationship functioning and infant social-emotional functioning, with an emphasis on the differential predictive power of mothers and fathers. This is the first study to examine certain specific predictors of parent functioning: parental alliance, parental identity, relationship adjustment and relationship conflict in an infant sample during the transition to parenthood. Results indicated that fathers’ functioning better predicted infants’ dysregulatory problems, while mothers’ functioning better predicted infants’ internalizing problems. Specifically, fathers’ functioning predicted negative emotionality and eating problems in their infants, while mothers’ functioning predicted general anxiety and separation distress in their infants. Results also showed that several combinations of differential predictive power (e.g., the highest functioning parent vs. the lowest functioning parent) were not significant predictors of difficulties in their infants, indicating that the impact of one parent does not depend on the functioning of the other. Important theoretical implications based on the gender differences in predictive power found, as well as the lack of contextual effects found in the present sample, are discussed.

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Veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress (PTSD), compared to relative trauma-exposed veterans without PTSD, have more serious relationship problems. Research in the area of combat trauma-related symptoms and intimate partner relationships have to-date, mostly focused on identifying the negative outcomes of trauma but have not elaborated on how the symptoms themselves act as agents in negative relationship functioning. The purpose of this study was to identify a relationship between combat-related PTSD symptoms of insomnia/sleep dysfunction, avoidance/emotional numbing, and intimate partner distress - specifically the mechanisms by which symptoms and distress are maintained or exacerbated. A review of combat trauma and relationship theories indicated that a newly applied theory, Conservation of Resources (COR) could account for specific combat trauma symptomology, the effects of non-PTSD intimate partners’ distress, and the course of these aspects. This study predominately utilized quantitative data for exploratory correlational research. One hundred and fifteen Canadian combat veterans completed self-administered questionnaires that included demographic characteristics, supplementary questions and the study variables: PTSD assessment, dyadic adjustment, and sleep issues. Results indicated that PTSD overall is negatively related to dyadic adjustment, and that avoidance symptoms represent the most detrimental cluster of PTSD in terms of relationship functioning. Although insomnia/sleep dysfunction was not correlated to dyadic adjustment for those with PTSD, it was identified as a contributor to negative relationship functioning through supplementary responses. The study suggests a revised Canadian PTSD prevalence rate of 29%, which is noteworthy when compared to the previous PTSD prevalence rate estimation of 10%. The application of COR theory to combat veterans and relationship functioning is supported by the results of this study. Findings of this study can aid clinicians in the enhancement of couple therapies, draw attention to the need for improved deployment screening and care provisions for military members, and contribute to the breadth of empirical literature.

Little research has examined the role of physical activity in relationship functioning. Utilizing two heterosexual subsamples of 618 females and 155 males, results indicated that physical activity was positively correlated with sexual satisfaction and self-esteem for the female subsample, but was not significant for the male subsample. For both subsamples, although physical activity was not a significant unique predictor of relationship functioning in regression analyses, sexual satisfaction and self-esteem each significantly contributed the variance relationship functioning. The findings of this study increase our knowledge of mechanisms that impact sexual satisfaction, self-esteem, and physical activity among women, which in turn can potentially guide treatment planning and interventions.

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.