Partner Uncertainty Research Articles

NAVIGATING THE CHALLENGES OF RETIREMENT TRANSITIONS FOR COUPLES IN ARAB SOCIETY

Abstract Retirement marks the beginning of the third age and is considered one of the most significant transitions in the later stages of life In the aging process, individuals and couples must adapt to many changes that affect their lifestyle and marital relationships. This study investigates post-retirement couples’ dynamics in Arab society, focusing on Relational Turbulence Theory (RTT) and its correlation with marital satisfaction and intimacy. Data from 106 retired couples (average male age = 70.3, female age = 65.1) reveal RTT’s relevance in explaining relationship uncertainty and interdependence during transitions. Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis, psychometric properties are validated, and gender equivalence is established. Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling demonstrates that self-uncertainty, partner uncertainty, relationship uncertainty, interference, and facilitation significantly predict marital quality and intimacy. Partners’ impact is crucial. emphasizing how a partner’s experiences influence marital outcomes. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of post-retirement relationships in Arab society. The main theoretical contribution of the current study will be linking gerontology and couple dynamics in the context of the Arab society in Israel, which is an ethnic minority group and a traditional society in transition (modernization). the Practical implications of this study are helping professionals understand the factors that affect the quality of a couple’s relationship after retirement. This understanding will help professionals to provide adequate interventions for couples pre and postretirement, furthermore, the study’s findings will contribute to developing retirement planning interventions and culturally sensitive intervention programs for couples from the Arab society in Israel postretirement.

Linking stress to the emergence of relational turbulence in marriage

AbstractThe assumption that stress negatively impacts marital relationships is widely accepted; however, the majority of research has focused on marital satisfaction as the outcome of interest. Relational turbulence is a quality of romantic associations on par with—but distinct from—satisfaction, in which partners conceptualize their relationship as chaotic or tumultuous. This paper draws on relational turbulence theory (RTT) and stress spillover research to propose that day‐to‐day stress corresponds with perceptions of relational uncertainty and interdependence, which contributes to increases in relational turbulence. We evaluated these assumptions using data from 64 heterosexual married partners who experienced work‐related disruptions due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Spouses completed a pre‐test survey, 10 weekly surveys, and a post‐test survey over 12 weeks from June to August 2020. Results from longitudinal actor‐partner interdependence models indicated that (a) wives' weekly stress corresponded positively with their own partner uncertainty, relationship uncertainty, and perceptions of partner interference, and (b) the magnitude of wives' stress spillover and husbands' change in relational turbulence were positively associated. Implications for RTT and research on stress spillover are discussed.

Corrigendum

Policy Studies JournalEarly View CORRIGENDUMFree Access Corrigendum This article corrects the following: Collective Action Problem Characteristics and Partner Uncertainty as Drivers of Social Tie Formation in Collaborative Networks Daniel Nohrstedt, Örjan Bodin, Volume 48Issue 4Policy Studies Journal pages: 1082-1108 First Published online: January 22, 2019 First published: 05 December 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/psj.12461AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat In Nohrstedt and Bodin (2019), sentences from page 19 to page 23 has been corrected. The corrected statements have been given below: In page 1100, Table 2; L3XAX has been changed to ATXAX^ and added footnote accordingly. In page 1101, The headquarters model and the municipality model both display positive and significant coefficients for the building blocks representing a tendency of actors engaged with many tasks to collaborate with each other (L3XAX), and a tendency of actors engaged with interdependent tasks to collaborate with each other (C4XAB). Has been changed to: The headquarters model and the municipality model both display positive and significant coefficients for the building blocks representing a tendency of actors engaged with the same tasks to collaborate with each other (ATXAX), and a tendency of actors engaged with interdependent tasks to collaborate with each other (C4XAB). Meanwhile, we found no evidence of social ties among actors working with the same tasks and so hypothesis 5 could not be supported. Has been changed to: Further, the former shows there is a prevalence of social ties among actors working with the same tasks and so hypothesis 5 is supported. In page 1102, In these two networks, the number of tasks that actors engaged with as well as the level of interdependency of these tasks constituted important collective-action problem attributes that significantly shaped tie formation among actors. Has been changed to: In these two networks, sharing a task as well as the level of interdependency of tasks constituted important collective-action problem attributes that significantly shaped tie formation among actors. In page 1103, Our evidence demonstrates that one of these configurations—C4AXB and TriangleXAX (captured by ATXAX)—had a significant effect on social tie formation in the intra- and inter organizational networks but not in the cross-level network. Has been changed to: Our evidence demonstrates that both of these configurations—C4AXB and TriangleXAX (captured by ATXAX)—had a significant effect on social tie formation in the intra- and inter-organizational networks but not in the cross-level network. Hence, while actors within the headquarters and the municipality networks sought collaboration to address interdependent tasks, actors working across these networks were more concerned about collaborative uncertainty when selecting collaboration partners. Has been changed to: Hence, while actors within the headquarters and the municipality networks sought collaboration to address shared and interdependent tasks, actors working across these networks were more concerned about collaborative uncertainty when selecting collaboration partners. In page 1104, We show that task interdependency and actor and relational attributes, including formal leadership roles and homophily, both contribute to shape social ties, but also that the effects varied across different organizational relationships. Has been changed to: We show that shared tasks interdependency and actor and relational attributes, including formal leadership roles and homophily, both contribute to shape social ties, but also that the effects varied across different organizational relationships. The publisher apologizes for this error and any confusion this may have caused. The online version of this article has been updated. REFERENCE Nohrstedt, Daniel, and Örjan Bodin. 2019. “Collective Action Problem Characteristics and Partner Uncertainty as Drivers of Social Tie Formation in Collaborative Networks.” Policy Studies Journal 48(4): 1082– 108. Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue ReferencesRelatedInformation

Turning aligned interests into higher chain performance in franchising

Purpose This study aims to study research on franchise chain performance that has focused on franchisors’ efforts to align their interests with those of franchisees to address partner uncertainty. In contrast, the question of what a franchisor should do to address another type of uncertainty and task uncertainty remains understudied. The authors suggest a franchisor’s coordination as a key means of alleviating task uncertainty and ongoing support and plural form as two mechanisms of coordination. The authors also posit that aligned interests between the franchisor and the franchisee improve, whereas one-sided interest impedes, chain performance. Furthermore, providing greater ongoing support or deploying plural form amplifies the positive effect of aligned interests on chain performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors relied on secondary data to test the hypotheses. The authors collected data for analysis from Bond’s franchisee guide and Nation’s Restaurant News restaurant database. They also tested the framework by analyzing 17-year, panel data of 71 restaurant chains operating in the USA and Canada using system generalized method of moments. Findings Results show that aligning interests does improve chain performance, but that the positive effect is amplified when aligned interests are matched with a chain’s provision of ongoing support or use of plural form. Originality/value The authors explicate why it is not enough to address the misaligned interests or lack of coordination alone; a chain manager needs to address both of these problems together. In addition, the authors explicate how two franchisee coordination mechanisms – ongoing support and plural form – help a chain augment the beneficial effect of aligning interests on chain performance. Without solving the twin problems of misaligned interests and coordination simultaneously, a chain is unlikely to achieve its full performance potential.

Partnering with Bridging-economy Firms and Locals: Cross-Border Venture Capital Investments

The international business literature advocates that firms entering a new foreign market partner with local firms. However, for Western firms, high environmental and partner uncertainty in emerging economies severely constrains the ability to form partnerships with local firms in the host country. Extending the multi-party collaboration literature, we suggest that Western firms form a multi-party collaboration involving local firms from the country targeted for market entry and firms from a “bridging economy”— a third country with (1) an institutional environment more closely resembling to the Western country, (2) active business collaborations with the host country, and (3) well-established firms in the industry of interest. The bridging-economy partner can play a critical role in dealing with venture-, partner-, and environment-level uncertainties. We test the hypotheses based on data on Western VC investments in China during 1997-2008 when China’s VC industry was emerging. We provide evidence for the value of multi-party collaborations involving both a partner from the host country and a bridging country for the internationalization strategies of Western firms.

Relational uncertainty and relationship satisfaction in a romantic relationship: self-disclosure as a moderator and a mediator

This study first seeks to clarify the link between relational uncertainty and relationship satisfaction in romantic relationships (N = 353 dyads) using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. This study also investigates how self-disclosure could function as both a moderator and a mediator in the model. Self-report data revealed that participants’ relational uncertainty was negatively associated with their own relationship satisfaction. Whereas only women’s partner uncertainty was related to their male partner’s relationship satisfaction, all three sources of men’s relational uncertainty were related to their female partner’s relationship satisfaction. Furthermore, self-disclosure functioned in various ways as a moderator and a mediator in the models.

Dilemmas Managing Doubt about Family Members’ Health Complaints: A Normative Approach

ABSTRACT Uncertainty is inherent to the illness experience; for those who are not ill themselves, the inability to directly access another person’s embodied experiences can heighten feelings of uncertainty. Doubt about the extent to which others are ill is a common and consequential form of partner uncertainty that we focus on in this study. Guided by Goldsmith’s (2001, 2004, 2016) normative framework, we analyzed data from interviews with 32 individuals (M age = 35.28, SD = 9.91; 72% female), uncovering how participants struggled to manage their doubt of family members’ health and to respond in normatively supportive ways to family members’ health claims. Each uncertainty management strategy for seeking and avoiding information, obtaining social support, and adjusting to chronic doubt often risked valued identities and relationships. This study illuminates the underrepresented perspective of individuals who doubt family members’ health issues and the challenges they face as support providers.

The Relational Turbulence Model: A Meta-Analytic Review

Abstract A series of 27 meta-analyses was conducted to synthesize theoretical predictions, to date, of the relational turbulence model (RTM), which has informed relational turbulence theory (RTT). In line with theorized predictions, 12 random-effects meta-analyses (k = 9–15; n = 1,395–5,493) confirmed that RTM variables (i.e., self uncertainty, partner uncertainty, relationship uncertainty, and partner interference), on average, correlated with topic avoidance, depressive symptoms, and relationship satisfaction. An additional 15 random-effects meta-analyses (k = 4–41; n = 930–8,975) were conducted to pool an average correlation matrix among self uncertainty, partner uncertainty, relationship uncertainty, partner interference, partner facilitation, and relational turbulence. This pooled correlation matrix was used to test a meta-analytic structural equation model of the RTM commonly specified in the literature. Global and local fit statistics indicated the meta-analytic data fit the RTM well. Collectively, these results offer empirical and theoretical evidence for the RTM across nearly 2 decades of research and provide insights for future scholarship guided by the axioms and propositions of RTT.

A Longitudinal Test of Relational Turbulence Theory

Abstract Relational turbulence theory (RTT) proposes causal relationships across cognitive, emotional and communicative variables. Although many tenets of this theory have been tested individually, there has not yet been a comprehensive, predictive examination of RTT. Using structural equation modelling, this study longitudinally tested several propositions and axioms of RTT. Results are largely in line with many of RTT's predictions. Time 1 relational uncertainty predicted time 2 biased cognitions. Time 1 facilitation from a partner predicted time 2 negative emotions. Negative emotions cross-sectionally related to both the enactment and valence of relational communication episodes. Relational turbulence theory's proposed feedback loop received partial support, such that time 1 communication valence (but not engagement) predicted time 2 partner uncertainty, relationship uncertainty and partner facilitation. Results are discussed in terms of theory expansion and refinement.

Children’s Transitions and Relational Turbulence in Marriage: Can Transition Processing Communication Help?

ABSTRACTThis study engages the frameworks of relational turbulence theory and the experiencing life transitions model to shed light on the associations between parents’ relationship-focused communication and marital qualities during major transitions for their child. An online survey asked parents (N = 311) to evaluate their marital relationship experiences surrounding a period of change during their child’s life. Analyses, which focused on participants who reported a major life event (N = 235), identified 11 categories of transitions. Across the transitions, perceptions of a partner’s engagement in transition processing communication was negatively associated with partner uncertainty and interference from a partner, and positively associated with facilitation from a partner. In contrast to the hypotheses, participants’ own engagement in transition processing communication was positively associated with partner uncertainty. The discussion highlights the potential for relationship-focused communication to attenuate relational uncertainty and improve interdependence as parents navigate transitions associated with raising children.

Identifying and measuring network-based relational uncertainty: Looking outside of the dyadic bubble

Previous research has explored both relational uncertainty and the importance of partners’ social networks in the development of close relationships. Combining these concepts would better facilitate our understanding of relational development. Accordingly, this four-study identifies and creates a novel measure for social network-based relational uncertainty experienced by individuals in romantic relationships. Studies 1 and 2 reveal eight distinct categories of network uncertainty via open coding. Studies 3 and 4 use these categories to create a network uncertainty measure (NUM) and compare it to several scales from relational turbulence theory. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed five subscales, which derived from the original eight categories. Tests of convergent and divergent validity validate the NUM as a viable measure to be used in theory expansion as well as studies of network-dyad interaction. Regression analyses first compared the NUM to measures of self, partner, and relationship uncertainty. Results demonstrated strong empirical relationships between these variables, reaffirming conceptual similarities. Moreover, measures of relationship satisfaction intimacy were regressed on the NUM, controlling for relational uncertainty measures. Results demonstrated that the NUM contributes to these outcomes above and beyond self, partner, and relationship uncertainty. Findings are discussed in terms of empirical and conceptual value to the study of romantic relationships.

Collective Action Problem Characteristics and Partner Uncertainty as Drivers of Social Tie Formation in Collaborative Networks

The effectiveness of collaboration is often explained by the alignment of social networks with collective‐action problem characteristics, yet previous research on social tie formation has focused almost exclusively on actor and relational attributes. We theorize that collective‐action problem characteristics together with actor and relational attributes explain social tie formation and that the relative effect of these factors varies with uncertainty about collaboration partners. The study tests seven hypotheses associated with these factors by estimating multilevel network models of collaboration and task engagement among managers responding to a major wildfire in Sweden. The combination of actors and tasks in a single model captured key characteristics of the collective action problem (task engagements and task interdependencies), and disentangled the relative effects of these factors from actor and relational attributes. Results suggest that social tie formation can be explained both by actors’ task engagements, and actor attributes associated with leadership, professionalization, and experience. Further, the effect of task engagements decreases in organizational relationships where collaborative uncertainty is high. Since the alignment of social ties with problem characteristics is supposedly positively associated with collaborative effectiveness, this finding suggests that risk‐aversion is a more deep‐rooted driver of tie formation than the pursuit of collective performance.

Cognitive Jealousy and Constructive Communication: The Role of Perceived Partner Maintenance and Uncertainty

The current study focused on how perceptions of a partner’s relational maintenance behavior relate to the degree to which an individual reports experiencing cognitive jealousy and using constructive communicative responses to jealousy. Additionally, this study examined the mediating role of relationship uncertainty in the associations between maintenance and cognitive jealousy, as well as maintenance and constructive responses. Participants were 192 individuals who were involved in a romantic relationship who completed surveys about their partners’ relational maintenance behaviors and their own levels of cognitive jealousy, relationship uncertainty, and constructive responses. Results revealed perceived partner relational maintenance behaviors were negatively associated with cognitive jealousy and relationship uncertainty. Additionally, relationship uncertainty mediated the associations between maintenance and cognitive jealousy, integrative communication, and compensatory restoration.

An investigation of relational turbulence and depressive symptoms in newly married women

AbstractThis study uses the relational turbulence model to examine depressive symptoms in newly married women. It reports data from a pre‐/posttest study in which 152 women completed an online survey during their engagement and 6 months after their wedding. Nearly 12% of the women reported reliable and clinically meaningful increases in depressive symptoms after their wedding. Using panel data analysis, this study found that increases in self uncertainty, partner uncertainty, and relationship uncertainty as well as in partner interference were associated with increases in depressive symptoms. This novel test of the relational turbulence model examined the impact of change in (rather than level of) relational turbulence, and the findings extend previous work by demonstrating how mechanisms of relational turbulence impact mental health.

Relational turbulence and perceptions of partner support during reintegration after military deployment

ABSTRACTThe transition from deployment to reintegration can be stressful for returning military personnel and at-home partners, and support plays a key role in their ability to transition effectively. We draw on relational turbulence theory to advance predictions about how parameters of the relationship between returning service members and at-home partners predict their perceptions of their partner’s support during the post-deployment transition. We surveyed 235 individuals (117 returning service members, 118 at-home partners) who had experienced the transition within the past 6 months. Findings consistent with the theory indicated that relational turbulence partially mediated the negative associations that relational uncertainty and interference from a partner shared with partner support. Partner uncertainty was a direct negative predictor of partner support as well. We consider how these results extend theory, research, and practice.

The Perceived Threat and Resolvability of Serial Arguments as Correlates of Relational Uncertainty in Romantic Relationships

This study explored the degree to which the perceived threat and resolvability of a serial argument are associated with relational uncertainty in a romantic relationship (i.e., self, partner, and relationship uncertainty). Participants included 147 individuals who were currently in a romantic relationship. Results revealed positive associations between argument frequency and relationship uncertainty, the perceived threat of the argument to the relationship and all three forms of relational uncertainty, and inverse associations between the perceived resolvability of the issue and all three forms of relational uncertainty. Interaction effects emerged for perceived threat by perceived resolvability for self and partner uncertainty, such that the resolvability of the issue diminished the strength of the positive association between the perceived threat of the argument and self and partner uncertainty.

How to Thrive in the Era of Collaborative Services Entrepreneurship

OVERVIEW:Services have been steadily displacing products in industrialized economies for a half century—which is not to say that products are going away; rather, they are going into services. Cheap sensors and ubiquitous connectivity are accelerating this trend. For technology-based firms, these conditions create many opportunities to participate in product-service business ecosystems. For industrial firms to thrive in this environment, they must be able to explore in the market with partners and customers. That is, they must learn to navigate partner uncertainty and end user uncertainty at the same time. This balancing act can be thought of as collaborative services entrepreneurship. The keys to success are establishing the firm's strategic boundaries and developing early business-model validation methods. This article illuminates those capabilities and shows how two (or more) firms can act in concert while each acts in its own self-interest.

Do episodic self- and partner-uncertainty mediate the association between attachment orientations and emotional responses to relationship-threatening events in dating couples?

This study examined relational-uncertainty perceptions (a form of cognitive appraisal) to investigate how partners in 272 heterosexual couples responded emotionally to a relationship-challenging event. Participants rated themselves on attachment anxiety and avoidance. Then, after listing a challenging event, they rated how uncertain it made them about their own and their partner's continued involvement in the relationship. Participants also rated how angry and fearful the event made them. An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model yielded three sets of results. First, actor effects from insecure attachment orientations to episodic relational uncertainty emerged. Second, proposed mediation between attachment orientations and emotional reactions by uncertainty was partially supported (perceived partner-uncertainty partially mediated the positive association of anxious attachment and fear, and self-uncertainty partially mediated the positive relation between avoidant attachment and anger). Finally, a partner effect was found between one couple member's avoidant attachment and the other's perceived partner uncertainty. Men and women exhibited similar findings.

Doubt Begets Doubt: Causal Uncertainty as a Predictor of Relational Uncertainty in Romantic Relationships

The current study explored whether causal uncertainty (CU), or doubts about one's ability to understand causes of social events, predicts relational uncertainty (RU) and, in turn, negative relational outcomes in romantic relationships. Seventy-nine couples completed measures of RU, perceived relationship quality, CU, depression, and attachment style. As predicted, higher levels of CU were associated with more partner and relationship uncertainty, and lower relationship quality, even when controlling for depression and attachment. Mediational analyses further demonstrated that causally uncertain participants’ negative perceptions of relationship quality stemmed primarily from doubts about their partner's involvement in the relationship.

Exploring the Associations between Relational Uncertainty, Jealousy about Partner's Friendships, and Jealousy Expression in Dating Relationships

This study investigated associations between relational uncertainty, jealousy about romantic partners' friendships, and jealousy expression. Using a survey, 201 participants responded to hypothetical scenarios detailing a partner's extradyadic friendship involvement. Self, partner, and relationship uncertainty predicted sexual, power, and companionship jealousy. However, relationship uncertainty completely mediated the influences of self and partner uncertainty on jealousy. Self and partner uncertainty were directly associated with communicative responses to jealousy. Influences of relationship uncertainty on jealousy expression were mediated by sexual, power, and companionship jealousy. These results highlight the role of different forms of friendship jealousy in shaping jealousy expression.