Lower Relationship Satisfaction Research Articles

Genital arousal and responsive desire among women with and without sexual interest/arousal disorder symptoms.

Models depicting sexual desire as responsive to sexual arousal may be particularly apt for women experiencing arousal or desire difficulties, and the degree to which arousal triggers desire may depend on the relationship context and desire target and timing-yet, these associations have not been directly tested among women with and without sexual interest/arousal disorder (SIAD). To assess the role of SIAD status and relationship satisfaction in the associations between genital arousal and 4 types of responsive desire. One hundred women (n = 27 meeting diagnostic criteria for SIAD) in romantic relationships with men viewed a sexual film (pleasurable intimate depiction of oral sex and penile-vaginal intercourse) while their genital arousal was recorded via vaginal photoplethysmography (n = 63) or thermal imaging of the labia (n = 37). Partner and solitary desire was assessed immediately before and after the film (immediate desire) and 3days later (delayed desire). Outcomes consisted of genital response (z scored by method) and associations between genital response and responsive sexual desire. The key difference between women with and without SIAD was not in their ability to experience genital arousal but in how their genital responses translated to responsive sexual desire. Women with SIAD actually exhibited greater genital arousal than unaffected women. Associations between genital arousal and desire were significant only for women with SIAD and depended on relationship satisfaction and desire type. For women with SIAD with low relationship satisfaction, higher arousal predicted lower immediate desire for a partner; for those with high relationship satisfaction, arousal was either positively related (vaginal photoplethysmography) or unrelated (thermal imaging of the labia) to immediate desire for a partner. Associations with other desire types were not significant. Patterns of genital arousal and partner-specific responsive desire among women affected with SIAD were indicative of an avoidance model in response to heightened genital arousal, unless relationship satisfaction was high; attending to genital arousal sensations could be a means of triggering sexual desire for women with SIAD who are satisfied in their relationships. This is one of the first sexual psychophysiologic studies to connect relationship factors to patterns of sexual response. The differing arousal assessment procedures and lack of official diagnosis may have attenuated results. The homogeneous sample and in-person session requirement limit generalizability. When compared with unaffected women, women affected by SIAD may exhibit stronger arousal responses with sufficiently incentivized sexual stimuli, and the connection between their genital arousal and responsive desire for their partners may be stronger and more dependent on relationship context.

Development of the Couples' Sleep Conflict Scale: A new tool to assess conflict around sleep in romantic relationships

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Couples' Sleep Conflict Scale, a new measure designed to identify the extent of conflict around sleep in romantic relationships. MethodsData from an individual sample (N = 158) and dyadic sample (N = 143 mixed-gender couples) in romantic relationships were used to examine the psychometric properties of the Couples' Sleep Conflict Scale, including internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity, and whether the factor structure differed between couples with concordant and discordant chronotypes. ResultsResults revealed that the Couples' Sleep Conflict Scale fit a 1-factor solution of 5 items, a summed or mean score can be used, and that it is reliable for both men and women. In addition, more relational sleep conflict was associated with both their own and their partners’ poorer sleep hygiene, worse sleep quality, and more daytime sleepiness as well as more general relationship conflict, lower relationship satisfaction, and higher anxious and avoidant attachment. Finally, we found partial measurement invariance for factor loadings, intercepts, and latent variable variances between couples with concordant vs. discordant chronotypes. ConclusionThe Couples' Sleep Conflict Scale is a brief measure that can be used in both research and in health care settings to examine how sleep-related conflict can affect both sleep and relationship quality among couples.

Psychological Aggression in Couples Seeking Relationship Therapy: A Dyadic Analysis of Individual and Relational Risk Factors

Several studies have investigated the risk factors for the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) over the years. However, most research on IPV has focused on physical violence, limiting our understanding of psychological aggression. This study addressed this limitation by examining the relative contribution of several individual and relational risk factors (i.e., alcohol and cannabis use, relationship satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and attachment insecurities) with regard to the use of psychological aggression in both partners of couples reporting high relationship distress. The sample included 392 couples seeking relationship therapy. Couples were recruited by their therapist during the first therapy session and the partners completed the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale, the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test, the abbreviated Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the abbreviated Experiences in Close Relationships, and the Psychological Symptoms Index. We conducted path analyses based on the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model. When accounting for all factors in a single model, lower relationship satisfaction and higher attachment-related avoidance were associated with both partners’ higher use of psychological aggression. Cannabis use and harmful alcohol use were not associated with the individual’s own use of psychological aggression, but they were associated with their partner’s higher use of psychological aggression. Depressive symptoms and attachment anxiety were not significant predictors of psychological aggression. There were no gender differences in these associations. The findings of the present study suggest that several intrapersonal and interpersonal risk factors explain the use of psychological aggression in couples.

How loneliness undermines close relationships and persists over time: The role of perceived regard and care.

Although loneliness has been associated with negative perceptions of social life in past research, little is known about the implications of loneliness for interpersonal perception within close relationships. The current research includes three studies (total N = 1,197) suggesting that loneliness is associated with a negative bias in perceiving relationship partners' regard and care and that this bias partially accounts for the effects of loneliness on lower relationship quality and problematic interpersonal behaviors. Loneliness was associated with perceiving family members (Study 1), friends (Studies 1 and 2), and romantic partners (Studies 1-3) as less admiring and caring, and these effects were independent of a variety of accuracy benchmarks, including partners' self-reports (Studies 1-3), reports from informants (Study 2), and objective observers' assessments of partners' responsive behavior (Study 3). Loneliness also predicted changes in perceptions of partners' regard over time (Study 3) and indirectly predicted lower relationship satisfaction, commitment, self-disclosure, and support provision through negative perceptions of relationship partners' regard and care (Studies 1-3). Studies 2 and 3 replicated these results in terms of day-to-day experiences (total daily observations = 16,064). The negative perceptions of partners' regard and care associated with loneliness predicted subsequent loneliness (Studies 2-3). Loneliness effects were statistically independent of self-esteem and attachment insecurity in all studies. Taken together, these findings suggest that, due to negative biases in perceiving relationship partners' regard and care, loneliness may compromise the quality of close relationships, motivate interpersonally problematic behaviors, and become persistent. Implications are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Two babies, two bonds: Frequency and correlates of differential maternal-infant bonding in mothers of twins.

We assessed prevalence and correlates of differential maternal-infant bonding (i.e., experiencing a stronger bond with one baby vs. the other) in mothers of twins, focusing on aspects of maternal mental health, well-being, and pregnancy/birth that have been previously linked with maternal-infant bonding. Participants (N=108 American women, 88.89% White, 82.41% non-Hispanic, aged 18-45, who gave birth to twins in the past 6-24weeks) were recruited from postpartum support websites. Participants completed a Qualtrics survey assessing pregnancy/birth history, symptoms of depression and anxiety, sleep, stress, romantic relationship satisfaction, and postpartum bonding. Twenty-six participants (24.07%) reported a bonding discrepancy. These participants endorsed higher symptoms of depression and anxiety, lower relationship satisfaction, lower average postpartum bonding, higher general and parenting stress, and longer pregnancy (all ps>.05). Greater degree of bonding discrepancy correlated with more depression, higher parenting stress, longer pregnancy, and lower relationship satisfaction (all ps>.05). Mothers of twins may benefit from postpartum mental health support, stress management strategies, and interventions to improve bonding. Future work should assess the role of breastfeeding difficulties, delivery method, birth-related trauma, infant regulatory capacity, and temperament. Longitudinal studies will help test cause and effect and potential long-term repercussions of maternal-infant bonding discrepancies.

Relational Identity and Relationship Functioning in Emerging Adulthood: A Brief Report

Developing a coherent sense of self and establishing a long-term relationship are two developmental tasks during emerging adulthood. Guided by psychosocial developmental theory, this study explores the associations between relational identity processes (commitment, in-depth exploration, reconsideration of commitments) and relationship outcomes (satisfaction and stability) using a large sample of Spanish emerging adults in a romantic relationship. Results revealed that commitment as part of relational identity is associated with higher relationship satisfaction and stability, while reconsideration of commitments is associated with lower relationship satisfaction and stability. Gender acted as a moderator between in-depth exploration and relationship outcomes, with males reporting more positive associations compared to females. This study expands identity theory by demonstrating how relational identity is crucial when understanding relationship outcomes in emerging adulthood.

Recognizing and Appreciating the Partner's Support Protects Relationship Satisfaction during Cardiac Illness.

This study aimed to examine whether dyadic coping (DC) is associated with relationship satisfaction (RS) among couples facing cardiac diseases. Furthermore, the moderating role of both partners' anxiety and depression was tested. One hundred cardiac patients (81.5% men) and their partners (81.5% women) completed a self-report questionnaire during hospitalization. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) and moderation analyses were used to assess the above associations. Results showed that positive DC was significantly related to higher levels of RS, and negative DC was related to lower levels of RS. Furthermore, patient and partner psychological distress significantly moderated the link between DC and RS: patient-perceived positive DC was associated with higher partner RS when partner depression was high; partner-perceived positive DC was associated with higher patient RS when patient anxiety was low; patient-perceived negative DC has associated with lower patient RS when patient anxiety and depression were high. This study showed that positive DC is associated with a more satisfying relationship and identified under what conditions of cardiac-related distress this can happen. Furthermore, this study underlined the importance of examining DC in addition to the individual coping skills as a process pertaining to personal well-being and couple's outcomes.

Adolescents' relationships with parents and romantic partners in eight countries.

Creating romantic relationships characterized by high-quality, satisfaction, few conflicts, and reasoning strategies to handle conflicts is an important developmental task for adolescents connected to the relational models they receive from their parents. This study examines how parent-adolescent conflicts, attachment, positive parenting, and communication are related to adolescents' romantic relationship quality, satisfaction, conflicts, and management. We interviewed 311 adolescents at two time points (females = 52%, ages 15 and 17) in eight countries (China, Colombia, Italy, Kenya, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States). Generalized and linear mixed models were run considering the participants' nesting within countries. Adolescents with negative conflicts with their parents reported low romantic relationship quality and satisfaction and high conflicts with their romantic partners. Adolescents experiencing an anxious attachment to their parents reported low romantic relationship quality, while adolescents with positive parenting showed high romantic relationship satisfaction. However, no association between parent-adolescent relationships and conflict management skills involving reasoning with the partner was found. No associations of parent-adolescent communication with romantic relationship dimensions emerged, nor was there any effect of the country on romantic relationship quality or satisfaction. These results stress the relevance of parent-adolescent conflicts and attachment as factors connected to how adolescents experience romantic relationships.

Neuroticism’s ties to relationship satisfaction: the role of conflict tactic behaviors

A significant body of research has demonstrated a negative relationship between neuroticism and relationship satisfaction. Yet, the exact behaviors that link neuroticism to lower relationship satisfaction are not well established. This seven–day daily diary study (N = 246) identified specific, everyday behaviors that might explain how neuroticism and relationship satisfaction are linked. Using exploratory factor analysis, we identified sets of positive (e.g. complimenting your partner) and negative behaviors (e.g. making your partner cry). Then, post-hoc, we ran another exploratory factor analysis to establish a subcategory of conflict tactic behaviors within the negative behavior cluster and a subcategory of emotionally expressive behaviors within the positive behavior cluster. We then examined which of these clusters of behaviors mediate the relationship between neuroticism and relationship satisfaction. The broad category of negative behaviors explained the association; the broad category of positive behaviors did not. The subcategory of conflict tactics mediated the relationship over and beyond the mediational impact of the broader negative behaviors factor. These findings suggest couple therapists might aim to increase relationship satisfaction by working to reduce specific negative behaviors associated with neuroticism.

"Can I Have More Than This?" The Role of Romantic Relationship Quality, Maximization Style, and Social Media Addiction in Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms.

Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (ROCD) is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that manifests in the relationship domain, such as romantic relationships. Within romantic relationship, ROCD symptoms could be focused on flaws perceived on the relationship itself (ROCD relationship-centered) or on the partners' quality (ROCD partner-focused). These symptoms are associated with negative relationship outcomes, such as low relationship satisfaction. However, no studies have yet addressed the role of relationship quality in the context of ROCD. Furthermore, previous studies have shown the detrimental role of social media use and maximization style in obsessive-compulsive symptoms and the romantic relational domain; however, the associations with ROCD symptoms have not yet been explored. Thus, this study aimed to close this gap examining the associations between ROCD symptoms (relationship-centered and partner-focused) and relationship quality, social media addiction, and maximization style. A total of 211 participants currently involved in a romantic relationship (71.1 percent female, mean age = 30.4 ± 11.54 years) participated in the study. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses revealed that relationship quality, social media addiction, and maximization style emerged as being significantly associated with relationship-centered and partner-focused ROCD symptoms. The results highlighted potential risk factors for ROCD symptoms in romantic relationships, namely relationship quality, social media addiction, and maximization style. These psychological dimensions could be identified as possible targets in the assessment and treatment of ROCD symptoms.

Wisdom as a Buffer Against Experiential Avoidance's Impact on Relationship Satisfaction

This study aims to explore the predictive relationship between wisdom, experiential avoidance, and couples' adjustment, hypothesizing that wisdom can mitigate the negative effects of experiential avoidance on relationship satisfaction. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, 250 participants completed the Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale (SAWS), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). Data were analyzed through linear regression to examine the impacts of wisdom and experiential avoidance on couples' adjustment. The analysis revealed that wisdom positively predicts couples' adjustment, offering a protective effect against the detrimental impacts of experiential avoidance on relationship satisfaction. Specifically, wisdom accounted for a significant variance in couples' adjustment, while higher experiential avoidance was associated with lower relationship satisfaction. The study underscores the importance of wisdom in enhancing couples' adjustment and mitigating the negative effects of experiential avoidance. These findings suggest the potential for interventions targeting wisdom and experiential avoidance to foster healthier relationship dynamics.

The association between personality, relationship satisfaction, and psychopathology in a three-wave, longitudinal study.

The aim of this work was to better understand the role of personality as it relates to psychopathology, with satisfaction as a mediating variable. Personality is an important determinant of many life outcomes including relationship satisfaction and psychopathology. Previous work has demonstrated that broad domains of normal personality have low-to-moderate associations with various forms of psychopathology. Research has primarily focused on mechanisms that might explain how common personality traits put one at risk for common forms of psychopathology; this work builds upon existing work in examining relationship satisfaction as one possible mechanism. No study to date has examined whether relationship satisfaction mediates the connection between personality and psychopathology. We utilized multilevel modeling in a longitudinal sample of 100 newlywed couples to test the hypothesis that major domains of personality (positive temperament, negative temperament, disinhibition) have a significant effect on relationship satisfaction which, in turn, is significantly associated with internalizing and externalizing forms of psychopathology. We found no evidence for the mediating role of relationship satisfaction; however, in exploratory analyses, we did find evidence for both between-person and within-person effects of personality on psychopathology. This study confirms the role of personality as an important factor in consideration of dyadic processes, though not entirely deterministic for downstream functioning. Thus, separate factors in addition to personality may be worth examining in consideration of how low relationship satisfaction may be associated with psychopathology.

Psychometric properties of the Gender Role Conflict – Short Form (GRC-SF) in straight and gay Greek men

The current study examined the reliability and validity of Gender Role Conflict Scale-Short Form (GRCS-SF) among Greek men, 753 straight and 437 gay men. A multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the Greek version of the scale to validate the measurement model across the two groups. Findings revealed a well-fitting model with a stable factorial structure and partial measurement and scalar invariance. The four-factor solution matched the four theoretical GRC domains. However, factor loadings and scores differed between the two groups on almost all domains. Cronbach’s α reliabilities were satisfactory in both groups for both the overall scale and its subscales. Further, population and criterion validity were supported as higher GRC for both straight and gay men predicted lower relationship satisfaction. The Greek-language version of GRC-SF seems to be a valid and reliable tool for future studies.

Correlates of intimate relationship satisfaction among investigators of child sexual abuse material.

This study investigates correlates of intimate relationship satisfaction among investigators of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Previous research has shown that exposure to CSAM content can negatively impact investigators' emotional wellbeing, but little is known about its association with their intimate relationships. The study included 500 participants who were police investigators, forensic examiners, and other professionals connected with the criminal justice system in the United States that are exposed to CSAM as part of their profession. The study collected data through an anonymous survey administered via the Qualtrics online survey system. The findings reveal that higher levels of depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder are associated with lower relationship satisfaction among CSAM investigators. Additionally, group connectedness is positively related to relationship satisfaction for both men and women. Parent investigators also reported lower relationship satisfaction, suggesting unique challenges faced by this subgroup. Exposure to varying types of CSAM content was not significantly related to lower relationship satisfaction. This study highlights the association between depressive symptoms and PTSD with relationship satisfaction among CSAM investigators, emphasizing the role of group connectedness in promoting positive outcomes for both male and female investigators. Recognizing the association between depressive symptoms and PTSD with relationship satisfaction can guide interventions and support services for investigators, promoting group connectedness and addressing mental health concerns to enhance resilience and effectiveness in combating child exploitation.

Sexual Desire Emerges from Subjective Sexual Arousal, but the Connection Depends on Desire Type and Relationship Satisfaction

According to models of responsive sexual desire, desire emerges from sexual arousal. This study examined how sexual desire type (dyadic-partner, dyadic-other, solitary) and relationship satisfaction affect the connection between subjective sexual arousal (SSA) and desire. Women (N = 100; 27% with sexual interest/arousal disorder symptoms) reported SSA while viewing a sexual film. Solitary and dyadic responsive sexual desire were assessed immediately before and following the film (immediate desire) and three days later (delayed desire). SSA predicted higher immediate solitary desire. SSA also predicted higher immediate dyadic desire, and this link was stronger for those with higher relationship satisfaction; for those with low relationship satisfaction, SSA was unrelated. For delayed desire, SSA predicted higher dyadic-partner desire, regardless of relationship satisfaction. SSA also predicted higher dyadic-other desire, yet this association was stronger for those with low relationship satisfaction; for those with high relationship satisfaction, SSA was unrelated to dyadic-other desire. Findings support the theoretical premise that desire emerges from arousal, but that this connection is dependent upon additional factors, specifically the target and timing of desire and participants’ current relationship quality. Relationship satisfaction may affect the motivational value of sex with (and without) a current partner.

Feeling ambivalent while using instant messaging: a value-motive-experience framework comparing maximizers and social groomers

Adopting a person-centered approach, this article identifies different types of instant messaging (IM) users based on their underlying usage motives (social, hedonistic, and utilitarian) as maximizers, social groomers, entertainment seekers, or minimalists. It also explores users’ value priorities as determinants of this classification. Focusing on the social experiences of two types of users who actively employ IM for social purposes (maximizers and social groomers), this study extends the stimulation hypothesis. Whereas stimulation effects emerge for social groomers, whose social experiences on IM are overwhelmingly positive, they do not arise for maximizers, whose IM social experiences are more ambivalent. Maximizers’ more ambivalent social experiences significantly predict lower relationship satisfaction.

Greater mindfulness does not influence sexual satisfaction but is independently associated with lower relationship satisfaction

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to elucidate whether mindfulness was associated with relationship and/or sexual satisfaction among individuals in a regular relationship and to assess potential links with other factors. The research group consisted of 276 adults who were in a relationship regardless of marriage. Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI), New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS) were applied to all individuals. In the study group, 160 (58%) of the individuals were female, 116 (42%) were male, 62.3% were married, 59.8% were self-acquainted with their partner and 67.4% lived together with their partner or with their partner and children. Factors contributing to greater sexual satisfaction were shorter relationship duration and being a male, while those with an arranged marriage and those cohabiting with their partner had lower sexual satisfaction. Older age and, very interestingly, higher levels of mindfulness were associated with lower levels of relationship satisfaction. Finally, sexual and relationship satisfaction were closely associated and were respectively identified as independent factors for CSI and NSSS scores. There is a need for more comprehensive longitudinal studies evaluating relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction to assess causal relationships and to identify interventions that could benefit relationships.

Predictors of Couple Satisfaction

In this paper, we will present the results of research whose main purpose was to analyze the associations between couple satisfaction and some predictors such as attachment, gender, age, marital status, and educational attainment. In the first part, we will briefly present the literature consulted and the most relevant ideas. The second section is devoted to the methodology. The results showed that people with a secure attachment style have high couple satisfaction, women are more satisfied in their relationship compared to men, adults have lower relationship satisfaction as they get older, people with higher education are more satisfied in the couple, and unmarried people are also more satisfied with the couple relationship.

Women’s avoidant attachment, conflict solving, and relationship satisfaction through individualism and masculinity

The utilization of specific strategies to manage couple conflict has a differential impact on women’s relationship satisfaction. However, considering that women’s role within couple relationship is shaped by societal norms, such association should be examined by embracing a cross-cultural perspective. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the effect of individualism/collectivism and masculinity/femininity cultural values on avoidant attachment, perceived conflict solving, and relationship satisfaction. The sample consisted of 334 women from Israel, USA, Türkiye, and Spain. An unconstrained general model elucidates the connections among relationship satisfaction, avoidant attachment, and conflict solving strategies across all countries; yet, the strength of certain associations varies based on the dimensions of masculinity and individualism. In individualistic countries, avoidant attachment predicts lower relationship satisfaction in women. The prediction of own withdrawal by avoidant attachment remains similar among women, regardless of the individualism dimension. Nevertheless, in feminine (i.e., role egalitarian) countries, the link between female’s avoidant attachment and their partner’s use of positive conflict solving strategies is stronger. Additionally, the withdrawal strategy predicts partner demand to a greater extent in women from feminine countries. These findings will assist professionals from different countries in developing culturally sensitive and tailored prevention and intervention tools.

Partner Phubbing and Relationship Satisfaction among High and Low Reward Romantic Partners: An Expectancy Violations Theory Perspective

Partner phubbing (phone snubbing) is the perceived extent to which an individual uses or is distracted by his or her cellphone while in the company of his/her relationship partner. The present research examines the impact of partner phubbing on relationship satisfaction through an Expectancy Violations Theory perspective. Across two studies, including a survey of 180 adults currently in a romantic relationship, and an experiment of 141 married adults, results reveal that partner phubbing results in negative expectancy violations, which in turn lower relationship satisfaction. However, support is found for moderated mediation, such that the negative indirect effect of partner phubbing on relationship satisfaction depends on the phubber’s level of partner reward value. When partner reward value is low, expectancy violations from partner phubbing have a strong negative effect on relationship satisfaction, but this effect is attenuated to non-significance when partner reward value is high.