Intimate Relationship Functioning Research Articles

Psychosocial Sequalae of Sexual Assault in a Sample of Partnered Adults Experiencing Alcohol Use Disorder and Intimate Partner Violence.

Research has shown that experiencing a sexual assault results in significant and lasting effects in many psychosocial domains. However, most studies on the impact of sexual assault examine university samples or the immediate aftermath of the assault, not taking into account the longer-term complexities and contexts of life for many victims. The current study seeks to evaluate the role of lifetime sexual assault history on several psychosocial outcomes in adults who are in intimate relationships that have included both intimate partner violence (IPV) and alcohol use disorder. The study included 100 adult romantic couples who were part of a larger project addressing violence and alcohol use. A majority of participants were Caucasian (74.3%) and female (53%). Participants reported on lifetime sexual assault history, depression, perceived stress, maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation, and perceived intimate relationship functioning. Multilevel analyses controlled for couple interdependence as well as current levels of alcohol use and IPV. Results indicated that the presence/absence of sexual assault was only related to perceived life stress (p = .016), while the total number of lifetime assault experiences was related to depression symptoms (p < .001), perceived life stress (p = .052), maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation (p = .048), and dyadic adjustment (p = .003). These findings underscore the importance of investigating sexual assault outcomes in complex populations, as well as the need for more thorough and regular assessment of sexual assault history. Focusing on empowerment and recovery for sexual assault victims of any age is an important tool to prevent the detrimental outcomes that particularly accompany multiple victimizations.

Development and Empirical Test of the Research-Informed South African Relationship Functioning Assessment (SARFA).

Intimate partners play an important role in chronic diseases. Despite the chronic disease burden increase in sub-Saharan Africa, very few culturally-relevant quantitative measures of intimate relationship functioning are available. We conducted an empirical investigation evaluating the psychometric properties of the South African Relationship Functioning Assessment (SARFA) assessing healthy relationship functioning in N = 150 community members (50% women; M age = 27.2 years) living in the Vulindlela area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Item development was based on prior qualitative research from two South African communities. All assessments were conducted in isiZulu, participants' primary language. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the initial 39-item measure. The best-fitting model consisted of one factor with 22 items. The SARFA's internal consistency was α = .94. Convergent validity was observed via significant positive associations (all rs ≥ .38, p < .001) between the SARFA's total score and measures of trust, emotional intimacy, constructive communication, sexual satisfaction, and relationship control (women only). Divergent validity was observed for women only. Encouraging initial psychometric properties of a culturally-relevant measure of relationship functioning in KwaZulu-Natal may have relevance to other communities and potential to be used in research involving couples and health in chronic disease-burdened communities.

Exploring the role of moral injury outcomes in intimate relationship functioning among U.S. combat veterans.

Moral injury entails psychological, social, and possible spiritual issues that might interfere with veterans' functioning in romantic or intimate relationships. To date, research has not examined the contribution of moral injury outcomes in this core functional domain in many veterans' lives. In total, 65 combat veterans who were engaging in a peer-led intervention for moral injury in a Veteran Service Organization completed the Expressions of Moral Injury Scale, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklist for DSM-5, and the romantic relationship subscale of the Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning Scale. Bivariate analyses revealed that moral injury and PTSD symptoms were each associated with worse relationship functioning among the veterans. When including moral injury and PTSD symptoms as predictors in a multivariate analysis, only moral injury was uniquely linked with poorer relationship functioning. Overall, these findings suggest that moral injury could play a pernicious role in many veterans' issues in relationship problems with their spouses or partners. Future research needs to examine the potential utility of addressing moral injury among veterans who are struggling to meet demands for intimacy and connection in their intimate or romantic relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

"The role of PTSD symptom severity and relationship functioning in male and female veterans' mental health service use": Correction.

Previous research has shown that difficulties in intimate relationships promote mental health treatment seeking for male veterans, but findings for female veterans have been mixed. The current study sought to further evaluate whether intimate relationship functioning is a motivator for mental health treatment seeking for male and female veterans and examine the impact of different types of trauma exposure on this association. Using data from a longitudinal study, we examined whether intimate relationship functioning mediated the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and mental health service use (0 = no mental health services, 1 = any mental health services) in male and female veterans (N = 1,200). We used multiple groups path analysis to examine whether intimate relationship functioning mediated the association between PTSD symptom severity and mental health service use for male and female veterans. For male veterans, greater PTSD symptom severity was related to poorer intimate relationship functioning, which in turn explained increased likelihood of mental health service use (R² = .18). This mediation effect was not significant for female veterans. Our findings suggest that targeting intimate relationship functioning in treatment for male veterans may be beneficial because difficulties in these relationships appear to be a motivating factor for treatment seeking. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The role of PTSD symptom severity and relationship functioning in male and female veterans' mental health service use.

Using data from a longitudinal study, we examined whether intimate relationship functioning mediated the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and mental health service use (0 = no mental health services, 1 = any mental health services) in male and female veterans (N = 1,200). We used multiple groups path analysis to examine whether intimate relationship functioning mediated the association between PTSD symptom severity and mental health service use for male and female veterans. For male veterans, greater PTSD symptom severity was related to poorer intimate relationship functioning, which in turn explained increased likelihood of mental health service use (R² = .18). This mediation effect was not significant for female veterans. Our findings suggest that targeting intimate relationship functioning in treatment for male veterans may be beneficial because difficulties in these relationships appear to be a motivating factor for treatment seeking. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychosocial functioning deficits impact and are impacted by suicidal ideation in post-9/11 women veterans.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether changes in work, intimate relationship, and parental psychosocial functioning domains were associated with suicidal ideation severity, over time. This secondary data study was conducted on Veterans Administration data. Participants were 183 women veterans who served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. Fixed effect multiple linear regressions were used. Declining work and relationship functioning increased suicidal ideation severity whereas increasing suicidal ideation severity decreased relationship functioning. The use of a single item to assess suicidal ideation is a study limitation. Services that support work and relationship functioning in women veterans may benefit suicide prevention efforts.

Dynamic associations between stress and relationship functioning in the wake of COVID-19: Longitudinal data from the German family panel (pairfam).

Individuals all across the world experienced significant disruptions in their personal and family life with the outbreak of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The current study investigated dynamic associations between stress and relationship functioning over time in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Perceived stress, relationship satisfaction, and relationship quality (appreciation, intimacy, conflict) were reported by 1483 young to middle-aged participants who were in a romantic relationship and lived with their partner in 2018/2019 and in May–July 2020 (a few months after the onset of COVID-19). Data were analyzed using bivariate latent change score models. Relationship functioning (satisfaction, appreciation, intimacy) showed small decreases from before to during the pandemic. Contrary to expectations, levels of perceived stress also decreased on average from before to during the pandemic. Changes in relationship functioning were correlated with changes in stress over time, so that participants with greater decreases in relationship satisfaction, appreciation, and intimacy and greater increases in conflict from before to during the pandemic showed lesser decreases/greater increases in stress. Higher pre-pandemic relationship satisfaction was associated with greater decreases/lesser increases in stress from before to during the pandemic. Pre-pandemic levels of other measures of relationship functioning or stress were not associated with changes in outcomes over time. Results add to the literature demonstrating that stress is closely intertwined with the functioning of intimate relationships. Furthermore, they suggest that greater relationship satisfaction may serve as a protective factor for stressful life events.

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a U.S. Veterans Affairs PTSD clinic.

Cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a 15-session conjoint treatment for PTSD designed to improve PTSD symptoms and enhance intimate relationship functioning. Numerous studies of CBCT for PTSD document improvements in patient PTSD and comorbid symptoms, partner mental health, and relationship adjustment. However, little is known about its effectiveness in real-world clinical settings. Using an intention-to-treat sample of couples who participated in CBCT for PTSD in an outpatient U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) PTSD clinic (N = 113), trajectories of session-by-session reports of veterans' PTSD symptoms and both partners' relationship happiness were examined. Across sessions, there were significant reductions in veteran-rated PTSD symptoms, d = -0.69, and significant increases in veteran- and partner-rated relationship happiness, ds = 0.36 and 0.35, respectively. Partner ratings of veterans' PTSD symptoms increased before significantly decreasing, d = -0.24. Secondary outcomes of veteran and partner relationship satisfaction, ds = 0.30 and 0.42, respectively; veteran and partner depressive symptoms, ds = -0.75 and -0.29, respectively; and partner accommodation of PTSD symptoms, d = -0.44, also significantly improved from pre- to posttreatment. The findings suggest that CBCT for PTSD was effective for decreasing PTSD and comorbid symptoms in veterans, as well as for improving relationship functioning and partners' mental health, among a sample of real-world couples seeking treatment in a VA PTSD specialty clinic.

Longitudinal associations between interpersonal relationship functioning and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in recently traumatized individuals: differential findings by assessment method.

The role of interpersonal relationship functioning in trauma recovery is well-established. However, much of this research has been done with cross-sectional samples, often years after trauma exposure, using self-report methodology only, and is focused on intimate relationship adjustment. The current study investigated the longitudinal associations between interpersonal (intimate and non-intimate) relationship functioning and clinician- and self-reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 151 recently (within the past 6 months) traumatized individuals. Participants were assessed at four time points over 1 year. Approximately 53% of the sample was diagnosed with PTSD at initial assessment, with declining rates of diagnostic status over time to 16%. Latent difference score (LDS) modeling revealed nonlinear declines in both clinician-assessed and self-reported PTSD symptom severity, with faster declines in earlier periods. Likewise, LDS models revealed nonlinear declines in negative (conflict) aspects of interpersonal relationship functioning, but linear declines in positive (support, depth) aspects. The relationship between PTSD and relationship functioning differed for clinician- and self-reported PTSD. Bivariate LDS modeling revealed significant cross-lagged effects from relationship conflict to clinician-assessed PTSD, and significant cross-lagged effects from self-reported PTSD to relationship conflict over time. These results highlight that the variability in prior results may be related to the method of assessing PTSD symptomatology and different relational constructs. Implications for theory and early intervention are discussed.

Parental and partner role functioning and personal recovery in bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder research has primarily focused on clinical outcomes but there is increasing understanding of the importance of personal recovery. This study aimed to explore the relationship between functioning in key social roles including parenting and intimate relationships with personal recovery. Participants with bipolar disorder (N = 393) were recruited to participate in an online survey. Participants provided clinical information and completed measures of personal recovery, parental and intimate relationship functioning. Parental functioning and intimate relationship functioning were found to be significantly associated with recovery scores with higher scores being associated with greater recovery. Parental functioning was also found to have a predictive effect, with higher parental functioning predicting greater recovery scores. This study suggests that greater parental functioning may have an important role in the experience of personal recovery for people living with bipolar disorder. Future studies should further assess how supporting parenting may contribute recovery outcomes.

Does state self-control depletion predict relationship functioning and partner aggression? An ecological momentary assessment study of community couples.

Intimate relationship functioning depends upon the ability to accommodate one's partner and to inhibit retaliatory and aggressive impulses when disagreements arise. However, accommodation and inhibition may be difficult when self-control strength is weak or depleted by prior exertion of self-control. The present study considered whether state self-control depletion prospectively predicts male and female self-reports of anger with partner and arguing with partner. Consistent with the I3 Model (Finkel, 2014, Adv Exp Soc Psychol, 49, 1-104), we also considered whether the association between elevated anger and arguing (i.e., instigation) and partner aggression was stronger when state self-control (i.e., inhibition) was depleted or among people high in negative urgency. In this ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study, heavy drinking married and cohabiting heterosexual couples (N = 191) responded to three randomly signaled reports each day for 30 days. Depletion predicted anger and arguing with partners both cross-sectionally and prospectively for men and women. However, after controlling for prior levels of anger and arguing, these effects were diminished, and supplemental analyses revealed that anger and arguing with partner predicted subsequent depletion. Anger and arguing were strongly associated with concurrent reports of partner aggression perpetration and victimization (verbal and/or physical). However, neither state self-control depletion nor negative urgency moderated these effects. Overall, results suggest a modest impact of depletion on daily couple functioning as well as a potential cyclical effect of arguing on depletion.

The Influence of Demographic, Relational, and Risk Asymmetries on the Frequency of Intimate Partner Violence in Young Adulthood.

Social characteristics are prominent factors in mate selection, but they can be risk factors for intimate partner violence. Yet this prior work is limited, as it largely focuses on demographic differences (or asymmetries) between intimate partners. In addition to demographic asymmetries, we explored how differences in relational and risk behaviors were associated with intimate partner violence. Examining data from the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (TARS) (n=828), we found that either partner's unemployment is associated with greater frequency of relationship violence; and, compared to same-race relationships, interracial relationships reported higher frequency of partner violence. Additionally, relationships in which men compared to their partners were more invested, were characterized by lower frequency of violence. Relationships characterized by any asymmetry in power, compared to those in which both partners held equal power, were also characterized by higher frequency of partner violence. Relationships in which the female partner was more successful at school or work compared to the male partner were associated with more frequent partner violence. Lastly, compared to relationships in which neither partner engaged in antisocial/criminal activity, those in which the male, but not female partner was antisocial/criminal and those in which both partners engaged in antisocial/criminal activity reported greater frequency of partner violence. These findings highlighted the importance of considering different types of asymmetries for understanding intimate partner violence in young adult relationships.

Same same but different: Similarity of goals and implicit motives in intimate relationships.

Research has evidenced positive effects of dyadic similarity in various characteristics, such as values, attitudes and personality traits. Despite the well-known influence of motivational constructs on the functioning of intimate relationships, the investigation of dyadic similarity in motivational constructs has been neglected so far. We aimed to close this gap and extend existing research on spouses’ similarity in an extensive heterogeneous dyadic data set (N = 368 couples). We investigated the dyadic similarity of life goals and implicit motives, additionally examining relationship duration as an important predictor for similarity. With regard to life goals, results indicated a similarity, but no increase in similarity with longer relationship duration. With regard to implicit motives, our results showed a positive relationship between the similarity in implicit motives and relationship duration. We interpret the results concerning similarity in the context of assortative mating and convergence effects: Individuals choose a partner who has similar life goals at the beginning of their relationship, whereas spouses converge to each other in their implicit motives as they get better acquainted with each other.

Present- and trauma-focused cognitive–behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A case study.

The bidirectional association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and intimate relationship functioning has been well established, and conjoint therapies for PTSD have been created to simultaneously improve PTSD and relationship distress. However, some couples are unwilling to participate in trauma-focused therapy; therefore, a present-focused version of cognitive–behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (pf-CBCT for PTSD) was created to decrease barriers to treatment. We propose that, along with trauma-focused cognitive–behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (CBCT for PTSD), pf-CBCT for PTSD can be used as part of a sequential approach to PTSD treatment. The various phases of pf-CBCT for PTSD and CBCT for PTSD may be flexibly delivered according to a particular couple’s unique needs and preferences. We present a case study to illustrate this approach of using both pf-CBCT for PTSD and CBCT for PTSD with trauma-focused sessions. The case study describes conjoint treatment of a woman with PTSD related to childhood sexual abuse and her cohabiting partner of 25 years. Discussion provides additional clinical considerations and directions for future research.

Dyadic effects of attachment on mental health: Couples in a postdisaster context.

Research on mental health following disasters has led to the identification of many individual protective and risk factors for postdisaster mental health. However, there is little understanding of the exact influence that disasters have on the functioning of intimate relationships. Especially relevant are attachment styles, which are likely to play an important role in the provision and perception of social support between partners, and subsequent mental health outcomes. Heterosexual couples (N = 127) affected by the 2009 Victorian "Black Saturday" Bushfires in southeastern Australia were surveyed for disaster experiences, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression, and attachment style between May 2012 and January 2013, approximately 3 years after the disaster. Using actor-partner interdependence models (APIM), we examined both intrapersonal and interpersonal associations of attachment anxiety and avoidance with depression and PTSD, in combination with shared disaster exposure. Male partners' attachment avoidance was associated with depression and PTSD in both partners. By contrast, a female partner's attachment avoidance was associated with greater depression and PTSD in herself, but fewer PTSD symptoms in a male partner. Amid the chronic stressors of a postdisaster setting, the attachment avoidance of the male partner may play a particularly negative role, with his tendency toward isolation and denial becoming especially maladaptive for the couple as a whole. The female partner's attachment avoidance is likewise an important factor, but its associations with negative social support and relationship breakup must be clarified to understand its impact on partnership functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record

Relationship satisfaction: High need satisfaction or low need frustration?

Despite existing theoretical and empirical grounds for a needs perspective on intimate relationship functioning, little is currently known about the role of relational need frustration, especially as compared to need satisfaction. Therefore, our aim in the present study was to investigate the relative value of the satisfaction and frustration of an individual's relational needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness in predicting relationship satisfaction. Self-report measures were completed by 372 men and women, each of whom was involved in a committed heterosexual relationship. Results indicated that (a) need satisfaction and need frustration both contributed to relationship satisfaction, with need satisfaction being the stronger predictor of greater satisfaction, and (b) the satisfaction or frustration of the need for relatedness was the only significant predictor of relationship satisfaction. The results for both men and women were similar. In sum, these results imply that couple interventions should focus on reinforcing relatedness satisfaction as well as on reducing relatedness frustration in both male and female partners.

Cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD improves various PTSD symptoms and trauma-related cognitions: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

Numerous studies document an association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and impairments in intimate relationship functioning, and there is evidence that PTSD symptoms and associated impairments are improved by cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (CBCT for PTSD; Monson & Fredman, 2012). The present study investigated changes across treatment in clinician-rated PTSD symptom clusters and patient-rated trauma-related cognitions in a randomized controlled trial comparing CBCT for PTSD with waitlist in a sample of 40 individuals with PTSD and their partners (N = 40; Monson et al., 2012). Compared with waitlist, patients who received CBCT for PTSD immediately demonstrated greater improvements in all PTSD symptom clusters, trauma-related beliefs, and guilt cognitions (Hedge's gs -.33 to -1.51). Results suggest that CBCT for PTSD improves all PTSD symptom clusters and trauma-related cognitions among individuals with PTSD and further supports the value of utilizing a couple-based approach to the treatment of PTSD.

Couple Therapy for PTSD

Research has consistently documented a bidirectional association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and intimate relationship functioning. PTSD symptoms are associated with greater relationship distress, higher likelihood of divorce, decreased emotional intimacy, and increased sexual dysfunction. Conversely, specific relational factors and interaction patterns (e.g., hostility, partner accommodation of PTSD symptoms) can serve to maintain or exacerbate PTSD symptoms. Given this reciprocal relationship, several couple therapies for PTSD have been created and empirically examined. Therapies that have been empirically studied include behavioral family therapy, emotionally focused couple therapy, strategic approach therapy, and cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (CBCT for PTSD). To date, CBCT for PTSD has accumulated the most supporting evidence in the most diverse samples. Collectively, these empirical studies suggest that CBCT for PTSD is associated with improvements in PTSD, comorbid mental health symptoms, some partners’ mental health symptoms, and relationship satisfaction. CBCT for PTSD is a 15-session, trauma-focused PTSD treatment that occurs within a conjoint context. The therapy includes three phases: (1) psychoeducation and safety building, (2) communication skills and dyadic approach tasks to undermine avoidance, and (3) cognitive change regarding historical trauma appraisals and here-and-now maladaptive cognitions that maintain PTSD symptoms and/or relationship problems. Given the evidence supporting conjoint therapies for PTSD, clinicians should consider systematically involving partners in PTSD treatments to facilitate treatment by targeting both individual and relationship factors maintaining PTSD symptoms, as well as cultivate the strength within the couple’s relationship to encourage them to confront PTSD as a team.

Romantic Relationship Satisfaction Moderates the Etiology of Adult Personality.

The heritability of major normative domains of personality is well-established, with approximately half the proportion of variance attributed to genetic differences. In the current study, we examine the possibility of gene×environment interaction (G×E) for adult personality using the environmental context of intimate romantic relationship functioning. Personality and relationship satisfaction are significantly correlated phenotypically, but to date no research has examined how the genetic and environmental components of variance for personality differ as a function of romantic relationship satisfaction. Given the importance of personality for myriad outcomes from work productivity to psychopathology, it is vital to identify variables present in adulthood that may affect the etiology of personality. In the current study, quantitative models of G×E were used to determine whether the genetic and environmental influences on personality differ as a function of relationship satisfaction. We drew from a sample of now-adult twins followed longitudinally from adolescence through age 29. All participants completed the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) and an abbreviated version of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Biometric moderation was found for eight of the eleven MPQ scales examined: well-being, social potency, negative emotionality, alienation, aggression, constraint, traditionalism, and absorption. The pattern of findings differed, suggesting that the ways in which relationship quality moderates the etiology of personality may depend on the personality trait.

Self‐esteem trajectories across 25 years and midlife intimate relations

AbstractGuided by a life‐span developmental systems approach, this study examined links between self‐esteem assessed over 25 years and adaptive interaction and relationship risk at midlife using data from 341 Canadian adults surveyed (or followed) from ages 18 to 43. Results showed higher self‐esteem at age 18 was associated with more adaptive interactions and lower perceived relationship risk at age 43. A more rapid increase in self‐esteem through the transition to adulthood into midlife (ages 18–43) was also associated with more frequent adaptive interactions and less relationship risk at age 43. These results held after accounting for potential confounding variables. This study is the first to demonstrate self‐esteem trajectories over a quarter century predict midlife intimate relationship functioning.