Indicators Of Relationship Quality Research Articles

Attachment, relational maintenance behaviors and relationship quality in romantic long-distance relationships: A dyadic perspective

This study tested an actor-partner interdependence mediation model (APIMeM) in which dyadic relational maintenance behaviors (RMBs) mediate the relationship between romantic attachment (i.e., anxious and avoidant) and multiple indicators of relationship quality among couples in long-distance relationships (LDRs). Data were collected from 137 couples (women’s mean age = 20.37 years; men’s mean age = 21.93) who were in a serious romantic LDR and who completed an attachment measure, a measure of dyadic RMBs, and four measures of relationship quality (i.e., relationship satisfaction, relational commitment, closeness with the partner, and connection with others). Path analyses revealed significant actor and partner effects. Moreover, a total mediation between women’s anxious attachment and both partners’ relationship quality, and a partial mediation between men’s and women’s avoidant attachment and their own relationship quality were uncovered. Overall, the results suggest that, for couples in LDRs, one partner’s behaviors, cognitions, or emotions influence each member of the dyad as well as the quality of the relationship.

Partner relationship quality and IL-6:IL-10 trajectories from pregnancy to a year after-birth

BackgroundInflammatory activity during pregnancy and the postpartum period shifts systematically due to pregnancy progression, delivery, and postpartum recovery. Factors that deregulate inflammatory activity increase the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes and slower postpartum recovery. The IL-6:IL-10 or TNF-α:IL-10 ratio is potentially one way to capture peripheral inflammatory regulation; higher values indicate that anti-inflammatory IL-10 is less effective at regulating pro-inflammatory TNF-α or IL-6, skewing towards maladaptive pro-inflammatory profiles. Associations between partner relationship quality and IL-6:IL-10 or TNF-α:IL-10 trajectories during pregnancy and the postpartum period have not been assessed. The purpose of this study was to test whether partner relationship quality (support, conflict) is associated with attenuated IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, TNF-α:IL-10 or IL-6:IL-10 trajectories from the third trimester to the postpartum period. MethodsA sample of 162 women from the Healthy Babies Before Birth study reported on partner relationship quality (support and conflict) using the Social Support Effectiveness Questionnaire during the third trimester. Plasma samples were collected in the third trimester and at 1-, 6- and 12-months postpartum, and assayed for TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10. Associations between both indicators of relationship quality (support and conflict) and TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-6:IL-10, TNF-α:IL-10 trajectories were tested using multi-level modelling, controlling for sociodemographic, pregnancy and health variables. ResultsPartner support interacted with time to predict IL-6:IL-10 trajectories, linear: b = -0.176, SE = 0.067, p =.010, quadratic: b = 0.012, SE = 0.005, p =.009. Lower partner support was associated with steeper increases in IL-6:IL-10 from the third trimester to 6 months postpartum, followed by steeper decreases in IL-6:IL-10 from 6 months postpartum to a year after birth. Partner conflict was not associated with IL-6:IL-10 levels at study entry, b = 0.233, SE = 0.219, p =.290, or over time, p’s > 0.782. Neither indicator of partner relationship quality was associated with TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, or TNF-α:IL-10 trajectories, p’s > 0.205. ConclusionLower partner support may be associated with reduced moderation of IL-6 by IL-10 between pregnancy and a year postpartum, with possible consequences for maternal health and well-being.

The Role Of Online Post-Sale Service Toward Repurchase Intention And Word Of Mouth

Considering that e-commerce has become a major requirement, e-commerce providers must improve their products and services. After-sales service is one that must be considered to reduce customer doubts in using e-commerce. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of e-commerce after-sales service (product returns, exchanges, and maintenance) on customer attitudes (relationship building) and behavioral aspects (developing customer repurchase intentions and word of mouth). This study used a judgemental sampling method in which 255 samples that met the requirements were adjusted to certain criteria. Structural Equation Model (SEM) supported by SmartPLS software is used to analyze the data. The findings in this study are that product returns and maintenance services have a significant effect on online customer satisfaction and satisfaction has a significant effect on customer trust. While product value has no significant effect on customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction and trust, as indicators of relationship quality mediate the relationship between after-sales service (product returns, exchanges and maintenance), online customer repurchase intentions and WOM. Repurchase intention and WOM are positively influenced by trust and satisfaction. The research implications will be useful for policy makers, researchers, and the e-commerce industry in implementing and promoting the use of e-commerce.

Resolving relationship dissolution-What predicts emotional adjustment after breakup?

Relationship dissolution is a critical life event individuals have to cope with. Factors like relationship duration and relationship quality or having a new partner are likely to affect how people recover emotionally from a separation, which is linked to long-term adjustment. However, prospective evidence on the role of these factors is scarce. Hence, this study aims to investigate predictors of emotional recovery following relationship dissolution. Pooled data of the German Family Panel pairfam on 3734 separation events of 2709 individuals aged 18 to 48 were used, applying a statistical model called seemingly unrelated regressions to predict emotional outcomes (relief, anger, guilt, and sadness) and the general emotional state regarding separation. Sociodemographic and relationship characteristics, indicators of relationship quality, conditions of the separation, and features of the current situation were considered as potential predictors. Regression analyses evidence strong links of initiator status, having a new partner, time since separation, and satisfaction with the social network to less negative emotional outcomes following separation. Relationship quality or serious problems before the separation only affected some of the investigated emotional outcomes. Interestingly, the predictors investigated were less powerful in explaining respondents' feelings of guilt compared to the other emotions. Overall, these findings provide deeper insight into short-term adjustment to separation. Understanding these processes may help to assess risk factors for negative coping mechanisms and improve tailored counseling strategies.

The Triarchic Psychopathy Domains and Romantic Relationship Quality : The Role of Boldness

The study aimed to investigate associations between psychopathic traits (disinhibition, boldness, and meanness) and indicators of relationship quality (satisfaction, commitment, feelings toward the partner, closeness, and relationship costs) using a variable-centred and a person-centred approach. A total of 1,292 participants completed measures assessing psychopathic traits and relationship quality. Correlation analysis indicated that boldness was positively, while disinhibition and meanness were negatively correlated with relationship quality. Subsequently, cluster analysis was conducted to identify groups of participants with different combinations of psychopathic traits. Three clusters were extracted: “disinhibited”, “callous”, and “brave-resistant”. The last cluster had an elevated level of boldness and was relatively “positive” regarding relationship quality. The results seem congruent with the presumption of a different role of boldness, compared to meanness and disinhibition, in the domain of close relationships.

Context Matters: Moderating Effects in the Associations between Pornography Use, Perceived Addiction, and Relationship Well-being

While perceived addiction and religiosity have been key contextual factors in understanding the link between pornography use and personal distress, these contextual factors have been explored less in the relational literature. Using a large nonprobability convenience sample from the United States, a moderated mediation model of the association between pornography use alone and two key indicators of relationship quality (relationship satisfaction and relationship stability) was explored. Results suggested that both general and aggressive pornography use alone were associated with less relationship satisfaction and relationship stability even when accounting for a range of potentially confounding variables. Perceived addiction partially mediated these associations, while both religiosity and gender moderated them. Generally, higher religiosity and being male were linked to compounding negative associations between pornography use and lower relationship quality. Findings suggest the importance of considering both religiosity and perceived addiction as important contextual factors when studying associations between pornography use and both relational and individual outcomes.

The protective effects of perceived gratitude and expressed gratitude for relationship quality among African American couples.

The current study was designed to investigate the protective effects of gratitude in romantic relationships. Particular attention was given to differentiating the beneficial effects of perceived gratitude (i.e., gratitude from one's partner, or feeling appreciated) versus expressed gratitude (i.e., gratitude to one's partner, or being appreciative) in mitigating the negative effects of ineffective arguing and financial strain on multiple indicators of relationship quality, both concurrently and longitudinally. The sample comprised 316 African American couples with three waves of data spanning approximately 16 months. Results indicated higher levels of perceived gratitude - but not expressed gratitude - weakened the association between relationship stressors and worsened outcomes (i.e., less satisfaction and confidence, more instability) at both between-person and within-person levels. Concurrently, perceived gratitude exhibited protective effects with respect to ineffective arguing and financial strain; longitudinal protective effects were observed only with respect to ineffective arguing. Results highlight the ways in which perceiving gratitude from one's partner, both at a single instance and sustained over many months, can be protective for multiple facets of relationship quality. Collectively, findings underscore the importance of interpersonal gratitude for romantic relationships and its merit for increased attention in research and practice.

Mentoring and depressive symptoms of youth: Examining prospective and interactive associations with mentoring relationship quality.

A significant body of research has demonstrated that mentoring relationships support positive youth development. The quality of the mentoring relationship has been identified as a predictor of positive youth outcomes. However, limited research has examined how engagement in a mentoring program may be related to youth depressive symptoms specifically. The current study utilized a sample of 2003 youth participating in mentoring programs across the country (Mage = 12.32, SD = 1.42, 55.1% female) from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds (39.1% Black, 23.6% White, 22.1% Hispanic, 3.3% Native American or Alaskan Native, .4% Asian or Pacific Islander, 1.8% other, and 9.7% Multi-Ethnic) to investigate associations between youth depressive symptoms and mentoring relationship quality. Results revealed that: (1) mean depressive symptoms decreased after participation in a mentoring program; (2) several, but not all, relationship quality indicators predicted change in depressive symptoms; (3) baseline levels of depressive symptoms negatively predicted indicators of relationship quality; and (4) associations between several relationship quality indicators and follow-up depressive symptoms differed by baseline levels of depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the potential benefits of mentoring programs to youth and the need to provide mentors with support around building relationships with youth, especially those experiencing depressive symptoms.

SEXUAL FUNCTIONING OF WOMEN IN SERBIA: RELATIONS WITH ATTACHMENT

Attachment style is an important element of partnership dynamics and can be related to different indicators of relationship quality, including sexual relationship. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between female sexual functioning (FSF) and characteristics of partner attachment. In this paper, female sexual functioning will be examined through the following dimensions: the intensity of sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, sexual life satisfaction, and pain during intercourse. In case of existing issues, these categories of functioning are considered to be indicators of female sexual dysfunction. The research was conducted on a convenience sample of 284 female participants aged 18 to 65, from Serbia, all having partner relations longer than 6 months. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) was present in 24.6% of the sample, while 75.4% had no symptoms. Looking at dimensions of sexual functioning separately, the most common issues were related to sexual desire and the least commonly reported problems were related to lubrication and pain. There were moderate correlations between the total measure of FSF and dimensions of attachment. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that attachment is highly correlated with subjective experience of sexual life satisfaction. Research results are in accordance with the results of foreign studies and, despite many limitations, they represent a significant starting point for future studies in our region relating attachment to sexual behaviour or dysfunctions.

Curvilinear associations between pornography use and relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and relationship stability in the United States

While scholars have increasingly explored associations between pornography use and relationship quality, this research has been limited by various methodological and conceptual problems. One specific limitation noted by previous scholars is the assumption that such associations are always linear. Using a national sample of 3750 individuals in committed relationships from the United States and detailed measurement of both pornography use and relationship quality, curvilinear associations between pornography use and relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and relationship stability were explored. Curvilinear associations were found between pornography use alone and relationship satisfaction and stability, as well as between pornography use with one's partner and sexual satisfaction and relationship stability. Most of these effects were small in magnitude. In the case of associations with sexual satisfaction and relationship stability, these relationships became more negative at higher levels of pornography use. The one exception was the association between pornography use alone and relationship satisfaction which became weakly positive at higher levels of pornography use. Biological sex moderated relationships between pornography use and relationship stability in that most associations were significant only for males. Results provided strong evidence for curvilinear associations between pornography use and relationship quality indicators.

Identifying the dimensions of secrets to reduce their harms.

How does the content of secrets relate to their harms? We identified a data-driven model (across five empirical steps), which suggested that secrets are generally seen to differ in how immoral, relational, and profession/goal-oriented they are (Study 1). The more a secret was consensually perceived to be immoral, relational, and profession/goal-oriented, the more that secret was reported to evoke feelings of shame, social connectedness, and insight into the secret, respectively. These three experiences independently predicted the extent to which the secret was judged as harmful to well-being (Studies 2a-c and 3). Reciprocally, reminding participants of the ways in which a secret does not need to be harmful (i.e., across the three dimensions of secrets) bolstered participants' feelings of well-being and efficacy with regard to coping with that secret (Study 4). A final study that examined secrets from romantic partners replicated the effect on perceived coping efficacy, which in turn predicted daily indicators of relationship quality (Study 5). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Mind, service quality, relationship with airlines

ABSTRACT The study examines the relationships between passengers’ mindfulness, airline service quality, customer relationship quality and loyalty with the airlines of their choice. Service quality was modelled as a moderator between mindfulness and the proposed criterion variables. To capture a wide range of passengers, the study conducted a survey that was undertaken at departure gates within a European airport. Data were collected from passengers who have air travel experiences in both low-cost carriers and flagship airlines. The results show that mindfulness is significantly and positively related to three indicators of relationship quality, namely commitment, satisfaction and trust in the case of low-cost carriers. However, commitment and trust are not significantly related to passengers’ loyalty with low-cost air carriers. In the case of flagship airlines, both satisfaction and commitment have a significant influence on customer loyalty whereas trust does not. This study provides a fresh look at relationship quality and customer loyalty from an individual’s mental state in relation to the service, rather than being assessed on the service offered. This study contributes to the literature by approaching customer loyalty from a non-organizational perspective. The implications are highlighted for airline marketers to conclude the paper.

Role of Online Retailers' Post-sale Services in Building Relationships and Developing Repurchases: A Comparison-Based Analysis Among Male and Female Customers.

Customers are skeptical about shopping online because e-commerce environments are typically considered impersonal. To assure product quality and to enhance customer proclivity in such environments, post-sale services (i.e., product returns, exchange, and maintenance) may be considered to alleviate customers’ skepticism. Therefore, this study’s objective is to investigate the role of an online retailer’s post-sale services (i.e., product return, exchange, and maintenance) on customers’ attitudinal (building relationships) and behavioral aspects (developing customers’ repurchase intentions). Structural equation modeling is applied to data collected through an online survey answered by 409 online customers of jd.com (after missing data were removed). Research findings show that product return, exchange, and maintenance services are strongly predictive of online customer satisfaction, and satisfaction significantly impacts customer trust. Both customer satisfaction and trust, as indicators of relationship quality, further mediate the links between product return, exchange, and maintenance services and online customer repurchase intention. In addition, differences between male and female customers were found in various aspects of online retailers’ product return, exchange, and maintenance services. This is the first empirical study that not only examines the influence of all three dimensions of online retailers’ post-sale services on customers’ online shopping perceptions and decisions, but also considers differences between male and female customers. Finally, this research provides theoretical and managerial implications based on conceptual and empirical evidence.

Diverse Sources of Social Support and Cognitive Functioning by Race, Ethnicity, and Nativity

This study examines the relationship between social support profiles and cognitive functioning by race, ethnicity and nativity in older adults using cross-sectional data drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (2010 and 2012). We employed a hierarchical clustering routine to generate nine support profiles that differentiated three sources of support: children, wider family relationships and friendships. Cognitive functioning was measured as the score on the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-m), a 27 point scale of cognitive function. Our approach explicitly acknowledges the ambivalence and multidimensionality of close relationships and the resources embedded within them. Descriptive analyses revealed significant differences in access to support across demographic groups. White respondents are over-represented in profiles that are characterized by support from friends, and under-represented in family support profiles. The reverse is found among Foreign-born Hispanic respondents who are over-represented in the profiles characterized by high family support and under-represented in those with high friend support. Native-born Hispanic respondents and Black respondents have less clear support patterns, although both are more likely to receive support from family and children compared to friends. Findings from the poisson regression suggest that the relationship between familial support and cognitive decline is stronger among Hispanic respondents, particularly those who are foreign born. These findings are supported even with the inclusion of other relationship quality indicators including negative support and frequency of contact.

Instrumental Mentoring for Young Adults: A Multi-Method Study

Closeness between mentor and mentee is previously defined as an important indicator of relationship quality in youth mentoring, but whether this is the case in instrumental mentoring for young adults remains unclear. This is an exploratory study examining how instrumental mentoring serves young adults in their instrumental needs and how relational closeness develops. We applied a mixed-methods design, using quantitative data from a study of an instrumental mentoring program in Rotterdam, The Netherlands ( N = 53), and qualitative data from a subsample of participants ( N = 10). Two statistically distinctive clusters of closeness were found; 49% of the mentees reported high levels of closeness, and 51% reported low levels of closeness in their mentor relationship. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) showed that the cluster with high levels of closeness was correlated with instrumental compatibility, satisfaction, and perceived attitude similarities. Semi-structured interviews were used to illustrate the role and development of closeness for mentees in both clusters, and three cases were presented. Experiencing closeness seemed a result of receiving instrumental support, not a precondition. Mentees’ previous experiences might in some cases explain the lower levels of closeness, but this did not always hinder mentees to profit from their mentors’ support.

A combination of insecure attachment patterns in a relationship and its quality: The role of relationship length

Most studies confirm that a combination of insecure attachment patterns in a couple has a negative effect on a romantic relationship. However, some research findings suggest otherwise. It is because they do not take account of relationship length as a moderating variable. The aim of this study was to examine the role of relationship length in predicting the effects of a combination of insecure attachment patterns on different aspects of its quality. The study involved 200 heterosexual couples. We used the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire to measure insecure attachment patterns (anxiety and avoidance) and the Couple Satisfaction Index-32 to determine relationship satisfaction. The other aspects of relationship quality (tenderness, communication, conflict behavior) were examined by means of the Partnership Questionnaire. The key results showed that with time the selected indicators of relationship quality deteriorate in a combination of anxious and avoidant patterns, while they improve in a combination of both anxious patterns.

The effects of subordinates’ use of upward influence tactics on their supervisors’ job performance evaluations in Saudi Arabia: the significance of loyalty

Most research examining the effects of subordinates’ use of upward influence tactics on supervisor job performance evaluations has been conducted in Western countries. In these contexts, it has been suggested that upward influence tactics bias supervisor ratings because they affect the quality of the relationship between supervisors and subordinates. This has primarily been explained in terms of supervisor liking. We suggest instead, that the particular cultural context in Saudi Arabia emphasises loyalty as the primary indicator of relationship quality. Based on data we obtained from 389 matched supervisor–subordinate dyads in Saudi Arabia, we found that five upward influence tactics; rational persuasion, ingratiation, self-promotion, coalition and upward appeal had indirect effects on supervisor job performance ratings through subordinate loyalty. Our findings suggest cultural contexts can emphasise differing aspects of relational quality between supervisors and subordinates that potentially explain bias in supervisor job performance evaluations.

Measuring a New Stress Domain: Validation of the Couple-Level Minority Stress Scale.

Existing social stress frameworks largely conceive of stress as emanating from individual experience. Recent theory and research concerning minority stress have focused on same-sex couples' experiences of both eventful and chronic stressors associated with being in a stigmatized relationship, including having ongoing or episodic fears of discrimination, and experiencing actual acts of discrimination. Such couple-level minority stressors represent a novel domain of social stress affecting minority populations that is only beginning to become a focus in empirical investigations testing minority stress theory. This article presents the results of psychometric analyses of dyadic data from 106 same-sex couples from across the U.S., introducing the Couple-Level Minority Stress (CLMS) scale featuring eight new couple-level minority stress factors: (1) Couple-Level Stigma; (2) Couple-Level Discrimination; (3) Seeking Safety as a Couple; (4) Perceived Unequal Relationship Recognition; (5) Couple-Level Visibility; (6) Managing Stereotypes about Same-Sex Couples; (7) Lack of Integration with Families of Origin; and (8) Lack of Social Support for Couples. The CLMS demonstrated a clear factor structure with satisfactory model-data fit and subscale reliabilities. The CLMS also exhibited validity as a correlate of one indicator of relationship quality (relationship satisfaction) and three indicators of mental health (nonspecific psychological distress, depressive symptomatology, and problematic drinking) when controlling for individual-level minority stressors and has great potential to extend and enrich minority stress research, particularly studies that deepen understandings of longstanding health inequities based on sexual orientation.

Comparing Relationship Quality Across Different Types of Romantic Partners in Polyamorous and Monogamous Relationships.

Polyamory is the practice of having multiple emotionally close relationships that may or may not be sexual. Research concerning polyamory has just begun to determine how relationships among partners in polyamorous arrangements may vary. Most of the research assessing perceptions of polyamorous partners has focused on primary-secondary configurations; however, non-hierarchical configurations exist and can involve having multiple primary partners or having only non-primary partners. The current research is the first to examine perceptions of partners and relationship quality in various polyamorous configurations and compares results for each configuration to monogamous partners. Results from online convenience samples suggest that co-primary and non-primary configurations are common among polyamorous participants, with approximately 38% identifying with one of these configurations in 2013 and 55% in 2017. Furthermore, our results suggest that while relationships with partners in co-primary and non-primary structures still differ in some ways (e.g., investment, acceptance, secrecy, time spent having sex), they are closer to their ideals on several psychologically meaningful indicators of relationship quality (e.g., commitment and satisfaction). In other words, despite rejecting hierarchical primary-secondary labels, many of the same relationship qualities differ systematically among partners in non-hierarchical relationships. Furthermore, pseudo-primary partners and primary partners in these relationships are more comparable to monogamous partners than they are to secondary partners. We discuss how these results inform our understanding of polyamorous and monogamous relationships and suggest future directions based on these findings.

RELATIONSHIP QUALITY AMONG SPOUSES AND EX-SPOUSES OF VETERANS WITH DEMENTIA AS CAREGIVING CONTEXT

Factors that place military veterans at increased risk for dementia – such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive symptoms, or substance use – may also increase their risk of divorce or marital distress further complicating the caregiving context. The current paper examines known correlates and novel indicators of relationship quality to better understand marital satisfaction/distress in 27 married or divorced spousal caregivers and 18 community-dwelling veterans with dementia who completed a baseline assessment as part of an ongoing pilot study. Individuals with dementia (IWD) were 72.5 years and scored M = 16.8 (SD = 5.9) on the MOCA; caregivers were M = 69.8 years old, and had been married for M = 44 years (SD = 15.1). Caregiver scores on domains of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (dyadic consensus, affectional expression, dyadic satisfaction, and dyadic cohesion) were highly correlated ranging from .525 to .912 (ps <.01), and total scores were significantly correlated with quality of life (.429, p = .029) and the IWD’s depressive symptoms (-.478, p = .013). For IWD’s, the mutuality scale was significantly related to their perceived dyadic satisfaction (.637, p = .003) and had a higher concordance with their caregivers ratings of mutuality (.463, p = .046); whereas ratings of marital or dyadic satisfaction between spouses had no association (.002, p = .994). Family relationship quality – and relationship type – are known to impact outcomes, such as frequency of challenging or responsive behaviors, for individuals with dementia. Understanding these factors is necessary to inform dyadic intervention approaches.