Measures Of Relationship Quality Research Articles

The associations between sibling influence and perception of sibling relationship quality among adolescents: The moderating role of birth order

This study examined the longitudinal associations between perception of sibling relationship quality (i.e., sibling warmth and conflict) and sibling influence (i.e., sibling modeling and differentiation), as well as the potential moderating role of birth order among Chinese adolescents. Participants were 150 adolescents (Mage = 12.84 years, SD = 0.71; gender combination: 41.22% same-sex pairs) from Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Measures of sibling relationship quality and sibling influence were collected via self-reports at two time points, 6 months apart. We study at the individual level and the target child is one of a pair of siblings. Results based on a cross-lagged model indicated that (a) perceiving sibling relationship as warmer positively predicted imitating one’s sibling, (b) imitating one’s sibling positively predicted perceiving sibling relationship as more conflicted for younger siblings but not for older siblings, and (c) perceiving sibling relationship as warmer positively predicted differentiating one’s sibling for older siblings but not for younger siblings. These findings illustrate reciprocal associations between perception of sibling relationship quality and sibling influence.

Quality of participants’ relationships to peer recovery support specialists as a function of perceived similarities: An exploratory analysis

BackgroundA growing evidence base supports the value of peer recovery support specialists (PRSS), particularly due to shared lived experience with participants (recipients of PRSS services). However, little research has examined whether congruence on certain aspects of “peerness” (e.g., demographics, experiences) matters for PRSS-participant relationships. MethodsThrough a pilot study under the NIDA-funded Initiative for Justice and Emerging Adult Populations (JEAP), adults who had recently received PRSS services (N=100) were interviewed. Participants completed a modified version of the Scales for Participant Alliance with Recovery Coach (SPARC), a measure of PRSS-participant relationship quality, and rated themselves as different/similar to their PRSS in several domains using a six-point scale. ResultsParticipants had met with their PRSS for a median of 10 sessions over two months. SPARC scores were unrelated to participant demographics or lived experiences. However, better-quality relationships were reported by participants who believed their PRSS was similar to them in relationships with family (p=.004), spirituality/religion (p=.001), age (p<.001), and overall recovery pathway (p<.001). Total SPARC scores were not significantly correlated with perceived PRSS-participant similarities on gender, race/ethnicity, substances of choice, and history of incarceration or substance use treatment. DiscussionResults from this pilot study suggest that PRSS-participant alignment on past experiences (e.g., prior incarceration, choice of drugs) may not be needed to establish good-quality working relationships. However, similarities on factors related to current life stage (e.g., age, family relationships) and/or recovery process (e.g., overall pathway, spirituality) may be more important. Future research should employ mixed-methods approaches to elucidate these unique findings.

Two-way associations between relationship quality and uptake of couples health screening including HIV testing and counselling together: quantitative analysis of a couples cohort in rural South Africa

ABSTRACT In the context of a couples cohort established to evaluate an optimised couples-focused behavioural intervention in rural South Africa, we examined: (1) Is couples’ relationship quality (RQ) associated with couples HIV testing and counselling (CHTC) uptake? (2) Does CHTC uptake or the intervention components uptake improve subsequent RQ? Enrolled couples, (n = 218), previously naïve to couples HIV testing, were invited to two group sessions and offered four couples counselling sessions (CS1-CS4), as part of the intervention and administered a questionnaire individually at baseline, four weeks, and four months, which included item-scales to measure RQ: satisfaction, intimacy, dyadic trust, conflict, and mutual constructive communication. Logistic models indicated that no baseline RQ measures were significantly associated with CHTC uptake. Linear regression models showed that CHTC uptake before four weeks assessment significantly improved couples’ satisfaction and trust at four weeks, and intimacy at four months. Attending at least one CS was associated with increased satisfaction, intimacy, and decreased conflict within couples at four weeks; the improvement in intimacy was sustained at four months. Consistent with the theoretical interdependence model, our findings suggest that CHTC and CS seemed to strengthen aspects of relationship quality, possibly leading to further collaboration in managing lifestyle changes and treatment adherence.

Illuminating the landscape of sibling relationship quality: An evidence and gap map.

This paper used an evidence and gap map (EGM) to advance the scientific understanding of sibling relationship quality among children aged 2 to 18 years by synthesizing literature on 277 empirical studies from 1985 to 2022 to delineate patterns of study design, sampling, and measurement. Most existing research has utilized majority of White, middle-to-upper class, and/or two-caregiver family samples. Nearly 85% (n = 235) of studies used quantitative methods to measure sibling relationship quality across eight domains: conflict, warmth/affection, quality, cohesion, hostility, power/control, positive engagement, and conflict management. A total of 122 studies used a measure of sibling relationship quality as a predictor of sibling behavior, social, psychological, cognitive, health, or physiological outcomes. Future directions for research are discussed.

LIVING WELL? A MATCHED ANALYSIS OF MINORITY ETHNIC AND WHITE BRITISH PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARERS

Abstract The increasing heterogeneity of the older population is reflected in the UK in an increasing number of those with dementia and carers drawn from minority ethnic groups. Data from the IDEAL dementia study is used to compare ‘living well’ among people with dementia and carers from ethnic minority groups with matched white British peers. We used a cross-sectional case-control design. Outcomes for both groups were quality of life, life satisfaction, wellbeing, loneliness and social isolation and, for carers, measures of stress, relationship quality, role captivity and caring competence. Our sample consisted of 20 people with dementia and 15 carers who self-identified as being of Indian, Pakistan, Bangladeshi, Black African, Black Caribbean or mixed ethnicity who were matched with 60 white British participants with dementia and 45 white British carers. People with dementia from minority ethnic groups had poorer quality of life (-4.74, 95% CI: -7.98 to -1.50) and higher loneliness (1.72, 95% CI: 0.78 to 2.66) scores whilst minority ethnic carers had higher stress (8.17, 95% CI: 1.72 to 14.63) and role captivity (2.00, 95% CI: 0.43 to 3.57) and lower relationship quality (-9.86, 95% CI: -14.24 to -5.48) than their white British peers. People with dementia from minority ethnic groups experience lower quality of life and caregivers higher stress and role captivity and lower relationship quality. Confirmatory research with larger samples is required to facilitate analysis of the experiences of specific minority ethnic groups and examine the factors contributing to these disadvantages.

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.

Relationship quality, COVID stress, and mental health in sexual and gender minority young adults

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, particularly those assigned female at birth (AFAB), have shown poor mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This issue highlights the importance of identifying factors that may promote SGM-AFAB mental health during the pandemic and protect SGM-AFAB individuals against the negative psychological effects of COVID-related stress. Grounded in previous research and theory suggesting that high quality romantic relationships have promotive (i.e., main) and protective (i.e., stress-buffering) effects on partner’s mental health, we explored associations between relationship quality, COVID-related stress, and mental health among SGM-AFAB individuals. Specifically, we tested whether (1) higher relationship quality, as a promotive factor, was directly associated with fewer mental health problems (depressive and anxiety symptoms, problematic alcohol and cannabis use), and (2) relationship quality, as a protective factor, had a stress-buffering effect, reducing the negative effect of COVID stress on mental health within SGM-AFAB young people. Between May 2020-July 2021, 227 SGM-AFAB individuals (ages 19–35; M = 23.5) in current romantic relationships completed measures of pandemic-related stress, relationship quality, depressive and anxious symptoms, and problematic alcohol and cannabis use. As hypothesized, relationship quality was negatively associated with anxious and depressive symptoms and problematic cannabis use. Relationship quality attenuated the positive association between COVID stress and depression, but not the other mental health outcomes. Findings suggest that high-quality romantic relationships may promote mental health and have a stress-buffering effect for depressive symptoms among SGM-AFAB individuals during major society-wide stressors.

Dominance and prestige in romantic relationships: Actor and partner links to relationship quality

Dominance and prestige reflect different forms of power and can affect relationship outcomes. Whereas dominance is a conflict-oriented way of dealing with people and grabbing status, prestige is derived from respect and esteem that is granted by others due to superior skills and knowledge. In this research, we tested three partially competing perspectives on potential associations of dominance and prestige with relationship quality (RQ). Sociobiological perspectives suggest that both concepts ensure the provision of valuable resources, and thus predict that both dominance and prestige would be positively linked to RQ. From a sociocultural perspective, men are expected to be dominant and prestigious whereas being dominant (and perhaps being prestigious) would violate the feminine gender-role stereotype; thus, both variables should relate positively to RQ only for men. From a personality perspective, dominance is characterized by undesirable attributes, whereas prestige is characterized by more desirable attributes; as such, only prestige should be positively related to RQ. We conducted four studies with individuals in romantic relationships in three different countries (Germany, Israel, and the US; Ntotal = 2,010 participants). The participants completed measures of dominance-prestige (as general attributes, as relationship-specific attributes, or in comparison with their partner) and measures of RQ. Although not entirely consistent across studies, our results were most consistent with the personality-based perspective. Prestige seems to benefit a relationship for both actors and partners whereas dominance is detrimental to relationship happiness. Yet, as some results showed that the negative link between dominance and RQ was stronger for women than for men, and the positive link between prestige and RQ was weaker for women than for men; thus some weak support for the sociocultural perspective was also found.

“Let's Not Talk About It”: Parents' Reasons for Not Discussing Alcohol Use With Emerging Adult Children

PurposeIt is unclear why parents avoid discussing alcohol use with their emerging adult (EA) children. Understanding parents' reasons for not communicating could inform parent-based interventions (PBIs) aimed at encouraging constructive discussions. The current study adds to the literature by examining common reasons parents avoid discussing alcohol use with their EA children. MethodsParents of EAs completed a web-based survey that included items assessing reasons for not communicating about alcohol, as well as measures of alcohol communication intentions, parenting self-efficacy, relationship quality, and interest in participating in an alcohol PBI. ResultsResults from the Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed five core reasons why parents do not communicate about alcohol: (1) they lack the skills or resources to communicate; (2) they believe their child is a nondrinker; (3) they believe their child is an independent, trustworthy decision maker; (4) they can teach their child how to drink through modeling; (5) they believe communication is futile. Believing that an EA could and should make their own alcohol decisions was the most common reason for not communicating. In multivariate analyses, this reason for not communicating was associated with greater levels of parental self-efficacy and perceiving a child to drink less alcohol. Further, this reason for not communicating was associated with lower intentions to communicate about drinking and less interest in taking part in a PBI. DiscussionMost parents reported barriers to communication. Understanding why parents are reluctant to discuss alcohol use could inform PBI efforts.

Quality of Social Relationships with Parents and Peers in Adolescents Born Extremely Preterm.

Adolescents born extremely preterm (EPT, gestational age [GA] <28 weeks) are at higher risk for problems in peer socialization than those born full-term (FT, GA >36 weeks). This study was designed to examine the possibility that adolescents born EPT may also have difficulty in transitioning from parents to peers for socialization, a process referred to as "social reorienting." A secondary aim was to investigate associations of social reorienting with other neurodevelopmental characteristics. The Network of Relationships Inventory, Relationship Quality Version was administered to 24 adolescents (ages 11-16 years) born EPT and 29 born FT to obtain self-ratings of closeness and discord with parents and peers. Measures of other neurodevelopmental characteristics included tests of cognitive and social skills, adolescent self-ratings of adjustment and victimization, and parent ratings of youth behavior and adaptive skills. Mixed model analyses controlling for sex, socioeconomic status, and race were conducted to examine group differences in measures of relationship quality and their associations with other neurodevelopmental characteristics. The EPT group had higher ratings of closeness with parents than the FT group. For adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, those born EPT had lower closeness with peers. Higher closeness with parents was associated with lower test scores. Lower closeness and more discord with peers were associated with more behavior problems. Findings suggest that adolescents born EPT have difficulties in social reorientation toward peers and identify factors related to these difficulties. Results imply a need for interventions to improve peer socialization in youth born EPT.

A bibliometric analysis of relationship management as a scholarly field from 1997 to 2022

This bibliometric study aims to evaluate the state of art of the relationship management literature over the period 1997–2022. Data from 22,926 citations from 219 articles published in six public relations journals enable us to conclude that research on relationship management has grown as it has become a popular topic. The explosive growth is more noticeable after 2010, when the number of articles and citations more than doubled. Peer-reviewed journal articles and books are the two major sources of citations. The topics of interest are: proposing frameworks, testing and validating relationship quality measures, and testing and advancing theories or models.

Spending leisure time together: Parent child relationship in families of children with an intellectual disability

BackgroundRelationship quality between a parent and a child typically differs between families with a child with intellectual disability (ID) and families with other children. Parent-child relationship quality matters in ID as it has been linked with child outcomes. However, there are few research studies examining factors that are related to parent-child relationship quality in ID. AimsThe aim of the present study was to investigate factors associated with parent-child relationship quality in families of children with ID. In particular, we aimed to examine the association between the amount of time parents and children spend together in leisure activities and parent-child relationship quality. Methods and proceduresThe sample was drawn from the 1000 Families Study, a survey including parent-reported data from families of children with ID aged 4–16 years. Measures of parent-child relationship quality and shared parent-child time were available. OutcomesRegression analyses showed that parental investment in shared leisure time was significantly associated with parent-child closeness and conflict, even after controlling for a number of factors related to relationship quality. Parental psychological distress was also associated with parent-child relationship quality. Conclusions and implicationsInterventions that aim to improve parent-child relationship quality may want to investigate the role of shared parent-child time in leisure activities as one of the mechanisms of change.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTACHMENT, RELATIONSHIP QUALITY, AND DAILY STRESS AMONG DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS

Abstract The current study assesses the relationship between attachment style, relationship quality, and daily stress among family caregivers of persons with dementia. The study incorporates a longitudinal burst design. In an initial meeting with the investigator, participants completed measures of attachment style (Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire Revised), past and current relationship quality (RQ), emotion regulation (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire), and caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview). For the next 14 days, participants were sent a link to a brief survey that included the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule and the Perceived Stress Scale. They were also asked to estimate what proportion of their daily stress did they attribute to caregiving. There are significant positive correlations between caregiver burden and current negative RQ, r = 0.70, p = .008, as well as between attachment anxiety and current negative RQ, r = 0.60, p = .029. According to regression analyses, attachment anxiety predicts negative current RQ, R2 = .37, F(1, 11) = 6.32, p = .029. Current negative RQ predicts caregiver burden, R2 = .49, F(1, 11) = 10.55, p = .008. Additional analyses will explore the link between attachment style, emotion regulation, burden, relationship quality, and longitudinal assessments of daily stress and affect. Though preliminary, study results suggest that beyond caregiver burden, daily stress and well-being of caregivers is impacted by the relationship between attachment, relationship quality, and emotion regulation.

To put asunder: Are there perils of partialing in actor-partner interdependence models?

In research on couples, statistical adjustment (i.e., partialing) for correlations between partners' parallel scores is common and useful, as in the actor-partner interdependence model. Original and partialed scores are typically interpreted as assessing the same construct, but this may not be a valid assumption. Other approaches to nonindependence-such as common fate modeling-may better represent some couple constructs. This study of 300 couples utilized participants' interpersonal circumplex ratings of partners' typical behavior during marital interactions to evaluate the interpersonal meaning of unadjusted and partialed forms of the Marital Adjustment Test (MAT), a measure of overall relationship quality, and the Quality of Relationships Inventory-Support (QRI-S) and Conflict (QRI-C) scales, which measured perceived support from and conflict with the partner. After partialing partners' scores, MAT and QRI-S scores were substantially less closely associated with ratings of partners' warmth, their primary expected interpersonal correlates. Partner-partialed QRI-C scores were substantially less closely correlated with ratings of partners' hostility and were associated with a somewhat more controlling form of hostility. In contrast, partialing partners' trait optimism scores resulted in minimal changes in interpersonal correlates of this personality characteristic. Couple-level MAT, QRI-S, and QRI-C variables representing overlapping variance across partners while partialing unshared variance in spouses' scores (i.e., common fate scores) had highly similar interpersonal correlates when compared to unadjusted versions. Potential alterations in construct validity resulting from partialing partners' scores warrant interpretive caution, and alternative analytic frameworks (e.g., the common fate model) may better maintain the construct validity of some dyadic measures. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Weak, but not strong, ties support coalition formation among wild female chimpanzees.

In social species, individuals may be able to overcome competitive constraints on cooperation by leveraging relationships with familiar, tolerant partners. While strong social ties have been linked to cooperation in several social mammals, it is unclear the extent to which weak social ties can support cooperation, particularly among non-kin. We tested the hypothesis that weakly affiliative social relationships support cooperative coalition formation using 10 years of behavioural data on wild female chimpanzees. Female chimpanzees typically disperse and reside with non-kin as adults. Their social relationships are differentiated but often relatively weak, with few dyads sharing strong bonds. Females occasionally form aggressive coalitions together. Three measures of relationship quality-party association, five-metre proximity and whether a dyad groomed-positively predicted coalitions, indicating that relationship quality influenced coalition partnerships. However, dyads that groomed frequently did not form more coalitions than dyads that groomed occasionally, and kin did not cooperate more than expected given their relationship quality. Thus, strong bonds and kinship did not bolster cooperation. We conclude that cooperative coalitions among female chimpanzees depend on social tolerance but do not require strong bonds. Our findings highlight social tolerance as a distinct pathway through which females can cultivate cooperative relationships. This article is part of the theme issue 'Cooperation among women: evolutionary and cross-cultural perspectives'.

Longitudinal Associations Between Relationship Quality and Depression Among Youth with Intellectual Disabilities: A Latent Change Perspective.

This study investigates associations between initial levels and change in the quality of the relationships youth with intellectual disabilities (ID) share with their parents and teachers, and changes in their levels of depression over time. A sample of 395 youth with mild (48.3%) and moderate (51.7%) ID, aged between 11 and 22 (M = 15.69), were recruited in Canada (n = 142) and Australia (n = 253). Youth completed self-report measures of relationship quality and depression twice over a one-year period. Initial levels of warmth (β = - .109) and conflict (β = - .302) predicted decreases in depression. Increases in warmth predicted decreases in depression (β = - .179), while increases in conflict predicted increases in depression (β = .268). Discrepancies between youth relationships with their parents and teachers predicted decreases in depression (βwarmth = - .732; βconflict = - .608).

Exploring the Links Between Parental Attachment Style, Child Temperament and Parent-Child Relationship Quality During Adolescence

AbstractLinked with a myriad of developmental outcomes, the parent-child relationship serves an important function, and it is therefore important that determinants of this relationship are elucidated so that optimal outcomes can be promoted. This study investigated links between parental attachment style and child temperament in the prediction of parent-child relationship quality during early adolescence. One hundred parents of 12–15-year-olds completed an online survey. Findings indicated that when examining parent attachment style alone, attachment-related anxiety but not avoidance predicted parent-child relationship quality. When examining child temperament alone, negative affect and affiliation predicted parent-child relationship quality. When examining both parental attachment style and child temperament in the same model, child temperament was uniquely predictive of the parent-child relationship quality. No moderation effects were detected. More precise models and expanded measures of parental attachment style, child temperament and parent-child relationship quality are recommended to fully capture the transactional and dynamic nature of the parent-child relationship.

Preliminary evidence for the factor structure, concurrent validity, and construct validity of the Roommate Relationship Scale in a college sample.

Roommate relationships are fundamental to the social environment of many emerging adults. However, no validated, widely used, measure of roommate relationship quality exists for examining the impact of these relationships on individual functioning and health. In this report, we present preliminary evidence of the factor structure, concurrent validity, and construct validity of the Roommate Relationship Scale (RRS) as a measure of roommate relationship quality using a sample of U.S. college students who participated in a multi-wave study. An exploratory factor analysis at the first wave, and confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) with independent samples of new participants at each of two subsequent waves showed stable factor loadings and adequate fit. Moreover, the scale demonstrated good fit and reliability in a longitudinal multilevel CFA framework. The RRS significantly positively correlated with relationship length, self-esteem, extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and negatively correlated with symptoms of anxiety and avoidant attachment style, indicating concurrent validity of the scale with respect to these constructs. Consistent with findings from other relationship types, self-reported RRS scores decrease longitudinally, both across and between semesters of academic life, indicating construct validity of the scale. We conclude that the RRS is useful for evaluating roommate relationship quality among U.S. college students, and hopefully beyond. Further research should validate the scale’s utility in other, more diverse, populations and refine its underlying generating psychological process.

The Emerging Adults’ Relationships with Siblings Scale: Development and Validation

The current study reports on a new measure of sibling relationship quality, the Emerging Adults’ Relationships with Siblings Scale (EARSS), which was developed via one qualitative study (Study 1: M Age = 21.20, SD = 2.07, 71% female, N = 45) and two quantitative studies (Study 2: M Age = 25.70, SD = 2.98, 68% female, N = 990; Study 3: M Age = 25.42, SD = 2.53, 55% female, N = 865). Results from these studies yielded a measure of sibling relationships during emerging adulthood that included five confirmed factors: Closeness, Conflict, Ill-Wishes, Parent-Mediated Relationship, and Upward Comparison. Overall, the factors of the EARSS were shown to be internally consistent and demonstrated strong convergent and divergent validity. Compared with previous measures, the EARSS provides an efficient, broad measure of sibling relationship quality relevant to the experiences of emerging adults, and assesses positive and negative dimensions of sibling relationship quality.

A mixed-methods study of relationship stigma and well-being among sexual and gender minority couples.

Research has documented associations between relationship stigma, relationship quality and adverse health outcomes among sexual and gender minority couples. However, this work focused primarily on one aspect of an individual's or a couple's identity rather than understanding the intersections of multiple, stigmatized social identities. As part of a larger project focused on testing the efficacy of a couples-based intervention to improve HIV medication adherence, 144 couples completed measures of relationship stigma, relationship quality, mental health, and substance use. A subset of 25 participants completed in-depth interviews to better understand the phenomenon of relationship stigma and its impact on their relationships. Quantitative results demonstrated that greater relationship stigma was associated with reduced relationship satisfaction and commitment, as well as greater closeness discrepancy and depressive symptoms. Qualitative findings provided nuanced insights into forms of relationship stigma that often intersected with other types of stigma and related forces of social and structural violence. Results also demonstrated the differential impact that relationship stigma had on couples and the ways in which individuals make adjustments to cope with or actively combat societal stigma. Findings illustrate the importance of attending to intersecting forms of stigma in addressing the well-being of sexual and gender minority couples.