Intimate Relationship Satisfaction Research Articles

Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy for PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent condition associated with intimate relationship problems, and intimate relationship factors have been shown to affect individual PTSD treatment outcomes. To compare cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (a manualized couple therapy delivered to patients with PTSD and their significant others to simultaneously treat PTSD symptoms and enhance relationship satisfaction) with a wait-list condition. Randomized controlled trial of heterosexual and same-sex couples (n = 40 couples; n = 80 individuals) in which one partner met criteria for PTSD according to the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, conducted from 2008 to 2012 in a Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient hospital setting in Boston, Massachusetts, and a university-based research center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Symptoms of PTSD, comorbid conditions, and relationship satisfaction were collected by blinded assessors at baseline, at mid treatment (median, 8.00 weeks [range, 1.71-20.43 weeks] after baseline), and at posttreatment (median, 15.86 weeks [range, 7.14-38.57 weeks] after baseline). An uncontrolled 3-month follow-up (median, 38.21 weeks [range, 28.43-50.57 weeks] after baseline) was also completed. Couples were randomly assigned to take part in the 15-session cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD protocol immediately (n = 20) or were placed on a wait list for the therapy (n = 20). Clinician-rated PTSD symptom severity was the primary outcome and was assessed with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. Intimate relationship satisfaction, assessed with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, patient- and partner-rated PTSD symptoms, and comorbid symptoms were secondary outcomes. PTSD symptom severity (score range, 0-136) was significantly more improved in the couple therapy condition than in the wait-list condition (mean change difference, -23.21; 95% CI, -37.87 to -8.55). Similarly, patients' intimate relationship satisfaction (score range, 0-151) was significantly more improved in couple therapy than in the wait-list condition (mean change difference, 9.43; 95% CI, 0.04-18.83). The time × condition interaction effect in the multilevel model predicting PTSD symptoms (t37.5 = -3.09; P = .004) and patient-reported relationship satisfaction (t68.5 = 2.00; P = .049) revealed superiority of the couple therapy compared with the wait list. Treatment effects were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Among couples in which one partner was diagnosed as having PTSD, a disorder-specific couple therapy, compared with a wait list for the therapy, resulted in decreased PTSD symptom severity and patient comorbid symptom severity and increased patient relationship satisfaction. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00669981.

“Are We Facebook Official?” Implications of Dating Partners' Facebook Use and Profiles for Intimate Relationship Satisfaction

Extending previous research on positive and negative correlates of Facebook use for individuals' outcomes, this study examined male and female dating partners' (n=58 couples) Facebook use and portrayals of their intimate relationship on the Facebook profile. Confirming hypotheses from compatibility theories of mate selection, partners demonstrated similar Facebook intensity (e.g., usage, connection to Facebook), and were highly likely to portray their relationship on their Facebook profiles in similar ways (i.e., display partnered status and show their partner in profile picture). These Facebook profile choices played a role in the overall functioning of the relationship, with males' indications of a partnered status linked with higher levels of their own and their partners' (marginal) relationship satisfaction, and females' displays of their partner in their profile picture linked with higher levels of their own and their partners' relationship satisfaction. Finally, male and female reports of having had disagreements over the Facebook relationship status was associated with lower level of females' but not males' relationship satisfaction, after accounting for global verbal conflict. Thus, the findings point to the unique contribution of Facebook disagreements to intimate relationship functioning. Results from this study encourage continued examination of technology use and behaviors in contexts of intimate relationships.

Sexual Transformations and Intimate Behaviors in Romantic Relationships

To understand the association between sexual transformations (i.e., changes in sexual behavior for the partner), intimate behaviors, and relationship quality among couples in romantic relationships, this study used Actor Partner Interdependence Models to examine frequency of sexual transformations, feelings about sexual transformations, and intimate behaviors as predictors of relationship satisfaction among 96 couples (N = 192). Sexual transformations were also examined as a moderator of the association between intimate behavior and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that relationship satisfaction was positively associated with partners’ frequent sexual transformations, actors’ positive feelings about sexual transformations, and intimate behavior from the partner. Further, in less intimate relationships, relationship satisfaction was greater when partners reported making more sexual transformations.

The association between parental images and satisfaction in intimate relationships in a Northern Finland sample

Objectives. Experiences in one’s family of origin, especially the relationship to one’s parents, supposedly form the basis of relationships in adulthood. The connection between traumatic childhood events and later life has been studied intensively, whereas average childhood growth experiences have been given less attention. The aim of this study was to find out the association between images of the mother and father and the psychosocial well-being of young adults from the perspective of satisfaction in intimate relationships.Study design. Cross-sectional study.Methods. The research is a part of the Oulu University Hospital “Mother-Child Follow-up Study 1971– 1972’’. The follow-up data were collected from the young adults (n=337) in 2000 by way of mailed questionnaires, which included 17 questions about the participants’ images of their parents and 18 questions about their intimate relationship satisfaction. In this study we used attachment theory as a theoretical frame of reference. Results. Mental images of dominating parents were associated with quarrelsome intimate relationships, and the image of a dominating father, with repressive/submissive and less balanced relationships. Mental images of diligent and sociable parents were associated with a loving and balanced relationship, and the image of supportive parents, with a balanced relationship. Parental diligence was associated with a less quarrelsome relationship.Conclusion. The young adults’ mental images of their parents were associated with their intimate relationship satisfaction. Positive mental images of the father, in particular, seemed to protect young adults from a quarrelsome and repressive/submissive intimate relationship.

The Gender Asymmetric Effect of Intimate Partner Violence on Relationship Satisfaction

Our research examined the association between intimate partner violence and relationship satisfaction among victims. The negative association between victimization and relationship satisfaction was substantially stronger for females than for males. Comparisons between respondents reporting about same-sex relationships with those reporting about opposite-sex relationships provided evidence that the amplified victimization/satisfaction association among female victims is a victim-gender effect rather than an actor-gender effect. In other words, our findings suggest that aggression harms the quality of the intimate partnerships of females much more so than the partnerships of males regardless of whether a male or a female is the perpetrator. We supplemented dialogue about the direct implications of our findings with discussions about how these results may raise conceptual questions about the adequacy of the instruments scholars use to study partner aggression.

Perceived Child Rearing Practices as Predictors of University Students' Satisfaction with their Sexual Relationships

The aim of this study was to determine the effects that perceived child-rearing practices have on the sexually intimate relationship satisfaction of a sample of 130 male (n=62) and female (n=68) fourth year South African university students. Participants completed the Parenting Bonding Instrument (Parker, Tupling, & Brown, 1979), Stevens Relationship Questionnaire (Stevens & Stevens, 1994) and the Sexual Knowledge Questionnaire (Louw, 2000) to measure perceived parent-child attachment, respondents' sexually intimate relationships and level of sex education. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of perceived child rearing practices on sexually intimate relationship satisfaction. The results suggest that parent-child attachment explained a significant percentage of the variance in intimate relationship in young adulthood.

Adaptation to Parenthood During the Post-Adoption Period: A Review of the Literature

Substantial research has been conducted on new parents’ adjustment during the transition to biological parenthood. However, very little is known about adjustment experiences during the transition to adoptive parenthood. Such information could assist in creating support systems for adoptive parents similar to those that currently exist for biological parents. A systematic literature review was conducted to examine individual and relational adjustment outcomes during the transition to adoptive parenthood, limited to those studies that examined the immediate post-adoption period through 3 years post-placement. By searching six databases using a variety of keywords including post-adoption, adapt, and parent, 11 research studies were identified that reported on parental mental health, physical health, and intimate partner relationship satisfaction in the immediate post-adoption period. The studies reviewed appear to indicate that post-adoption depression is relatively common, although perhaps less so than depression among biological parents. It is difficult to draw conclusions about physical health and relationship satisfaction as only one study directly assessing each outcome was located. Findings suggest that additional research is warranted to provide a clearer characterization of physical and psychological adaptation to parenthood among adoptive parents.

The Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Relationship Satisfaction Over Time for Young At-Risk Couples: The Moderating Role of Observed Negative and Positive Affect

In the current study, the moderating effects of observed negative and positive affects on the association between intimate partner violence (IPV, physical aggression) and relationship satisfaction were examined over a 5-year period. Multiwave data were obtained from a sample of young-adult men at risk for delinquency and their women partners (n = 121 couples; ages 21-26 years). The trajectory of each partner's relationship satisfaction and the effects of dyadic IPV and affect were tested using HLM analyses and a two-level (within-couple and between-couple) dyadic growth model. Average levels of dyadic positive affect were associated with relationship satisfaction for both men and women. For men, increases in couples' positive affect over time were linked to increases in relationship satisfaction, and increases in couples' externalizing negative affect were linked to decreases in satisfaction. For women, higher levels of couple IPV predicted lower levels of satisfaction. Couples' internalizing negative affect amplified the effects of IPV on satisfaction over time. Increases in IPV were associated with declines in satisfaction for couples with high levels of internalizing negative affect. Conversely, average levels of externalizing negative affect did not amplify the association between IPV and relationship satisfaction. In fact, the adverse influence of IPV on relationship satisfaction was greater for couples who displayed low levels of externalizing affect. Because of the inverse association between externalizing affect and relationship satisfaction, these findings were interpreted to suggest that the salience of IPV was greater in couples whose relationship satisfaction was not already impaired by high levels of negative affect.

Assessment of relationship-specific incentive and threat sensitivities: Predicting satisfaction and affect in adult intimate relationships.

Self-report scales assessing relationship-specific incentive and threat sensitivity were created. Initial tests of factor structure and associations with relationship quality were conducted in a sample of persons in intimate relationships (Study 1). Associations with conceptually related measures were examined to determine convergent and discriminant validity in a sample of dating couples (Study 2). Cross-validation of the factor structure was established in engaged couples (Study 3) and in newlywed couples (Study 4). In Study 4, couples also engaged in a laboratory-based threat task (discussion about a significant marital problem) and incentive task (discussion about loving aspects of the partner/marriage). Relationship incentive sensitivity predicted higher positive affect after the incentive task for both husbands and wives. Relationship threat sensitivity predicted greater anxiety in response to the threat laboratory task for wives only. Implications of approach and avoidance motivations in close relationship processes and outcomes are discussed.

Alexithymia and satisfaction in intimate relationships

The present study examined the relationship between alexithymia and satisfaction in intimate relationships. One hundred and fifty-eight undergraduate students taking a first year psychology course completed the 20-item Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20) and two measures of relationship satisfaction: overall satisfaction with the relationship and sexual satisfaction in the relationship. Path analysis revealed a moderate negative relationship between alexithymia and both relationship satisfaction variables. These results support previous studies demonstrating a strong link between alexithymia and a host of interpersonal problems.

Mindful Relating: Exploring Mindfulness and Emotion Repertoires in Intimate Relationships

This study tested the theory that mindfulness contributes to greater intimate relationship satisfaction by fostering more relationally skillful emotion repertoires. A sample of married couples was administered measures of mindful awareness, emotion skills, and marital quality. We hypothesized that mindfulness would be associated with both marital quality and partners' emotion skills and that the association between mindfulness and marital quality would be mediated by emotion repertoire skill. Findings suggested that emotion skills and mindfulness are both related to marital adjustment, and that skilled emotion repertoires, specifically those associated with identifying and communicating emotions, as well as the regulation of anger expression, fully mediate the association between mindfulness and marital quality. Theoretical implications are discussed.

Male and female body image and dieting in the context of intimate relationships.

The influence of family and peers on dieting and body image is well known, but, despite the centrality of romantic partnerships in the lives of adults, little research has investigated dieting and body image in the context of intimate relationships. This study investigated unhealthy dieting (e.g., skipping meals, vomiting), healthy dieting (e.g., reducing calories, reducing or eliminating snacks), and body satisfaction in intimate relationships in 57 predominantly unmarried couples, who were recruited in a college setting. The within-participant findings replicated prior research showing that women with higher self-esteem and lower depressive symptoms were more satisfied with their own bodies and dieted less. Controlling for body mass index and the relevant self-perceptions of each partner, the across-partner associations showed that men who had more depressive symptoms and were less satisfied with their relationships had female partners who dieted more and were less satisfied with their bodies. In contrast, men dieted more when their female partners had higher self-esteem and fewer depressive symptoms. These results suggest that psychological processes in intimate relationships are linked with dieting and body satisfaction but that these links are different for men and for women.

Doing Gender in the Bedroom: Investing in Gender Norms and the Sexual Experience

People often believe that they must be consistent with gender norms to obtain others' approval. The authors believe people who invest in gender norms tend to base self-esteem on others' approval, which undermines their sexual autonomy and ultimately diminishes their sexual satisfaction in intimate relationships. A survey of 309 sexually active college students examined whether placing importance on conforming to gender norms undermines sexual relationships because of its link to basing self-worth on others' approval and decreased sexual autonomy. Using structural equation modeling, the authors found that valuing gender conformity (but not avoiding gender deviance) negatively affects sexual pleasure for both men and women through increased contingency on others' approval and restricted sexual autonomy. The model fit the data for both men and women.

General traits of personality and affectivity as predictors of satisfaction in intimate relationships: evidence from self- and partner-ratings.

Self- and partner-ratings on trait affect and the Big Five were obtained from 74 married and 136 dating couples. The relationship satisfaction of each person (the "target") was correlated with four sets of ratings: (a) target's self-rated personality, (b) target's partner-rated personality, (c) partner's self-rated personality, and (d) partner's target-rated personality. Self- and partner-ratings of the target's personality yielded very similar results. Negative and positive affectivity were consistent predictors of satisfaction in both samples. Conscientiousness and agreeableness were reliably related to satisfaction in the dating couples, whereas extraversion consistently correlated with satisfaction in the married couples. These traits jointly predicted as much as 34% (self-ratings) and 26% (partner-ratings) of the variance in satisfaction. In contrast, the partner's personality played a lesser role in satisfaction.

Perfectionism and Sexual Satisfaction in Intimate Relationships

This study sought to provide information on the relations between trait perfectionism and perfectionistic self-presentation and sexual satisfaction in married couples. A sample of 74 married or cohabiting couples were recruited from the community to participate in the study. They completed measures of perfectionism, perfectionistic self-presentation, sexual satisfaction, dyadic adjustment, and depression. The results showed that the interpersonal dimensions of trait perfectionism were negatively related to general sexual satisfaction and sexual satisfaction with the partner for both husbands and wives. After partialing out marital satisfaction and depression, the husband's sexual satisfaction was significantly negatively correlated with his own socially prescribed perfectionism and with his wife's ratings of other-oriented perfectionism. The wife's satisfaction was significantly negatively correlated both with her husband's socially prescribed perfectionism and with her own socially prescribed perfectionism, other-oriented perfectionism, and perfectionistic self-presentation. Regression analyses suggest that the wife's other-oriented perfectionism is a unique predictor of her general lower sexual satisfaction and her husband's lower satisfaction with her contribution to the sexual relationship. Overall, the findings suggest that perfectionistic expectations have an important role to play in sexual satisfaction in married couples.

Satisfaction and trust in intimate relationships do lesbians and heterosexual women differ?

Although satisfaction and trust have received considerable attention in the literature on heterosexual relationships, little is known about lesbian relationships. Because females are socialized differently and acquire a different sexual script than males do, we predicted that lesbians would have similar goals regarding their relationships and, therefore, score higher on satisfaction and trust than heterosexual women. 50 lesbians and 50 heterosexual women were approached during lesbian and heterosexual social activities held at four colleges in the northeast and asked to complete a demographic survey and measures of satisfaction and trust. Findings partially supported our predictions.

Adolescents' Perceptions of Family System Characteristics, Parent-Adolescent Dyadic Behaviors, Adolescent Qualities, and Adolescent Empathy

ADOLESCENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF FAMILY SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS, PARENT-ADOLESCENT DYADIC BEHAVIORS, ADOLESCENT QUALITIES, AND ADOLESCENT EMPATHY* Carolyn S. Henry, David W. Sager, and Scott W. Plunkett** Adolescents' perceptions of variables at 3 levels of the family system were examined in relation to 4 dimensions of adolescent empathy using self-report questionnaire data from 149 adolescents. Hierarchical multiple regression models showed that gender, family cohesion, parental support, self-esteem, and communicative responsiveness were related to empathic concern; age, gender, parental support, and self-esteem were related to personal distress; age, parental induction, and communicative responsiveness were related to perspective taking; and gender and communicative responsiveness were related to fantasy. Implications for practice are presented. An important focus of prevention and intervention with families is understanding how strengths within the family unit have the potential to promote the development of adolescent social competence. Adolescent social competence, or the ability to function effectively in the family and broader social context (Peterson & Leigh, 1990), encompasses both instrumental and expressive social competence (Baumrind, 1972). Instrumental social competence refers to actions or qualities that enhance the ability to perform life role functions, including ambition, objectivity, and self-discipline. Expressive social competence describes affective traits or interpersonal skills such as caring, nurturance, and empathy that enhance the quality of interpersonal and family relations and promote the well-being of society (Baumrind, 1978). Research and practice based upon an understanding of the relationship between the family context and adolescent social competence have been restrained by (a) a greater focus upon instrumental social competence than expressive social competence, (b) a tendency to focus on adolescent expressive social competence in the context of intimate relationships in contrast to other interpersonal interactions, and (c) a trend toward examining only one level of the family system (e.g., the overall family system, parent-youth dyadic subsystems, adolescent qualities) in relation to social competence (Peterson & Leigh, 1990). Therefore, this study was designed to explore how adolescent perceptions of three levels of family systems components (the overall family system, parentadolescent dyadic subsystems, adolescent qualities) and selected demographic variables relate to four dimensions of adolescent empathy, an area of expressive social competence. These results can be used by family life educators and family therapists to expand their understanding of how prevention and intervention at multiple levels of the family system hold potential for promoting the development of empathy in adolescents. ADOLESCENT EMPATHY Empathy is an aspect of expressive social competence associated with the quality of close personal relationships, effective parenting, and the potential to assist others in the broader community. Aspects of empathy are important because they relate to a greater ability to establish and maintain friendships (Hay, 1994), increased satisfaction in intimate relationships (Davis & Oathout, 1987), improved quality in family relationships (Guerney, 1988), more child-based and less stereotypic parenting strategies (Brems & Sohl, 1995), decreased risk for abusive parenting (Bavolek, 1984), increased willingness to assist others during crises (Oliner & Oliner, 1988), and the development of empathy in one's offspring (Eisenberg & McNally, 1993; Kestenbaum, Farber, & Stroufe, 1989). Research on empathy during the past decade has advanced, in part, due to an increased emphasis upon exploring multiple dimensions of the concept (Eisenberg & McNally, 1993), including a range of cognitive and emotional responses to the situations and experiences of others. …

Solidarity and sexual communication as selective filters: A report on intimate relationship development

This study attempts to extend Wheeless, Wheeless and Baus's (1984) examination of variables that distinguish between developing and deteriorating relationships. The purpose of this study is to examine the degree to which interpersonal solidarity and sexual communication satisfaction are related to relationship stages, and reports of satisfaction in intimate relationships. Findings suggest that feelings of solidarity in highly developed intimate relationship stages are more salient than sexual communication satisfaction to reports of overall relationship satisfaction. This study also considers the influence of socially desirable responding on reports of sexual communication satisfaction.

Gender differences in the value of contributions to intimate relationships: Egalitarian relationships are not always perceived to be equitable

Little research has directly addressed the role of gender in perceptions of self vs. partner's contributions to a relationship, despite the fact that partners in heterosexual relationships often disagree about whether their relative contributions result in an equitable relationship [N. W. VanYperen and B. P. Buunk (1990), “A Longitudinal Study of Equity and Satisfaction in Intimate Relationships,” European Journal of Social Psychology,Vol. 20, pp. 287–309]. The primary purpose of this investigation was to systematically examine the association between gender and the perceived value of several different types of contributions made by each partner to a committed relationship. We considered both the gender of the perceiver and the source of the contributions (self vs. partner). A sample of 212 men and 348 women (most of whom were college students; 87% white) were asked to judge the value of their own and their partner's hypothetical contributions to a marital or long-term cohabiting relationship. The results indicated that men and women generally agreed about the value of the contributions made by themselves and their partners. However, gender differences in the perceived value of many contributions depended on whether the contribution was made by self or partner (e.g., men attributed more worth to their partner's sexual faithfulness than to their own, whereas women believed that both partners should receive equal value for this contribution). These perceptual differences suggest that at times it may be difficult for partners to agree about the equity of their ongoing relationships.

Domains of Expressive Interaction in Intimate Relationships: Associations with Satisfaction and Commitment

People who are married to each other or are seriously involved with one another vary in how much time they spend together. Research has shown that partners who spend considerable time together tend to be more satisfied with their relationships than partners who do not. For example, Reissman, Aron, and Bergen (1993) reported that the average correlation between time spent together and marital satisfaction, as found in five separate studies, was .40. It is probably safe to assume that the causal link between time spent together and relationship satisfaction is bidirectional: time spent together increases relationship satisfaction and relationship satisfaction increases the desire to spend time together (Vangelisti & Banski, 1993; White, 1983; Zuo, 1992). However, we cannot assume that all activities in which couples engage while together are equally salient in their appraisal of relationship satisfaction. Some types of interactions may be more relationally consequential than others. Furthermore, we cannot assume that the same activities that contribute to partners' feelings of satisfaction are necessarily related in the same way to their commitment to remain in the relationship. Satisfaction and commitment are distinguishable relationship properties (Johnson, 1991; Kelley, 1983; Rusbult, 1983). The main purpose of this investigation is to examine how certain types of expressive interaction or joint activities are related to satisfaction and commitment in intimate relationships. Thus, this study can inform therapists who are sometimes asked by distressed couples: What can we do to restore or maintain our satisfaction (or commitment)? We also look at the interrelationships among the different types of expressive interactions and the relationship between satisfaction and commitment (the two relationship outcome variables). Domains of Expressive Interaction Scholars have distinguished between two general categories of coordinated activity in marriage: instrumental and expressive (e.g., Fitzpatrick & Indvik, 1982; Parsons & Bales, 1955; Scanzoni & Scanzoni, 1988). Although partners spend time together in instrumental activities (e.g., raising children, maintaining a household, or earning income), the expressive dimension is often considered the heart of a relationship. The expressive area of a relationship has been further divided into three basic domains. As described by Scanzoni and Scanzoni (1988), these domains are: companionship (someone to be with and do things with), empathy (someone who listens, understands, and cares), and physical affection (someone with whom love can be expressed through touch, caresses, and sexual intercourse) (p. 314). They also state that the expressive side of the relationship includes behaviors for establishing and maintaining personal relationships, including empathy, showing affection, and warmth. It is in the expressive dimension of the relationship that rewards associated with interactions are most likely to contribute to the partners' satisfaction and commitment(Duck, 1982). Although the three domains of interaction focus on somewhat different interactional properties, we expect that assessments of the quality of these three domains of interaction are positively associated. This hypothesis is based, in part, on the fact that an increase in the quality of one type of interactional activity tends to increase the quality of the others. Through their leisure activities together, couples both find and create things to talk about. Furthermore, couples usually converse while they are recreating together. Leisure time together can also contribute to an active sex life because the positive feelings generated by shared enjoyable experiences can enhance mutual sexual desire Intimate partners may talk about personal issues before and after sex, and communication in one way (verbally) is likely to facilitate communication in another way (nonverbally, as through touching and sex) (Cupach & Comstock, 1990). …