Relationship Assessment Scale Research Articles

Differentiation of self, relationship quality, and family functioning among middle adulthood married couples

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between differentiation of self, relationship quality, and family functioning among middle-aged married couples in India. The study utilized a purposive sampling method, evaluating 200 participants (100 males and 100 females) aged 40 to 60 years through self-report questionnaires, including the Relationship Assessment Scale, the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Short Form, and the FACES IV Questionnaire. The analyses using regression and correlation techniques revealed significant relationships among differentiation of self, relationship quality, and family functioning. Additionally, no differences were found between nuclear and joint family types, potentially reflecting evolving societal norms and diminishing distinctions between these family structures. This data will further explore the complex interplay between differentiation of self and relationship quality of married couples and how these factors influence family functioning in middle adulthood.

The Application of Data Mining in Analyzing the Relationship between Interpersonal Relationship Distress and Smartphone Addiction of College Students

This research employed computer technology to analyze data from 1737 university students, investigating the impact of smartphone usage on changes in their interpersonal relationships. Additionally, a predictive model was developed to understand patterns of smartphone use. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Smartphone Addiction Scale, Interpersonal Relationship Assessment Scale, Basic Psychological Needs Scale, and Negative Coping Style Scale among college students. The study examined how distress in interpersonal relationships among college students predicts smartphone addiction and explored the mediating effects of basic psychological needs and negative coping strategies in this relationship. Findings revealed that: (1) Distress in interpersonal relationships is a predictor of smartphone addiction among college students; (2) Basic psychological needs act as an intermediary factor between interpersonal relationships and smartphone addiction; (3) Negative coping strategies also serve as an intermediary factor between interpersonal relationships and smartphone addiction; (4) Both basic psychological needs and negative coping strategies jointly play a chain mediating role in the association between interpersonal relationships and smartphone addiction.

The interpersonal benefits of goal adjustment capacities: the sample case of coping with poor sleep in couples.

This study examined the role of goal adjustment capacities and coping in the association between spousal sleep efficiency and relationship satisfaction in romantic couples. A community lifespan sample of 113 heterosexual couples (age range = 21-82 years) was recruited using newspaper advertisements in the Greater Montreal Area from June 2011 to December 2012. Participants completed study measures (i.e., Goal Adjustment Scale, Brief Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Relationship Assessment Scale, and the Brief Cope) at two time points, ~1 year apart. The results of actor-partner interdependence models with moderation (MIXED procedure in SPSS) reveal that goal disengagement buffered people from worsening relationship satisfaction associated with poor spousal sleep [95% CI B (-1.17, -0.12)], in part via increases in actor active coping [95% CI B (-0.32, -0.02)] and decreases in partner self-blame [95% CI B (-0.28, -0.01)]. Goal reengagement was related to diminished relationship satisfaction in response to poor own sleep [95% CI B (0.59, 1.79)], in part through increases in actor behavioral disengagement [95% CI B (0.05, 0.41)]. These findings point to a need for future studies to examine goal adjustment capacities and relationship-specific coping strategies as potential targets of intervention to maintain peoples' relationship satisfaction in the face of sleep problems.

Exploring the Impact of Secrecy on Marital Happiness: Relationship Authenticity as a Mediator

Studies investigating the correlation between secret-keeping tendencies and partner satisfaction are still relatively scarce. This research seeks to identify the extent to which the inclination to keep secrets can influence marital satisfaction, with the role of relationship authenticity in unravelling the complexity of such interactions. This study explores the relationship between secret-keeping tendencies and marital satisfaction, with relationship authenticity as a mediator. The research employed a quantitative, cross-sectional methodology utilizing The Five-Item Preoccupation Scale, Authenticity in Relationships Scale, and Relationship Assessment Scale. The study involved 2,184 individuals (76.1% female) aged 25 years and above, all married. The finding reveals that relationship authenticity partially mediates the relationship between secret-keeping tendencies and marital satisfaction. The results of this study can serve as a reference for enhancing marital satisfaction by reducing the inclination to keep secrets and thereby strengthening the perception of relationship authenticity.

Lonely online: A social model of digital media addiction: A study in 21 countries

ABSTRACT Digital media addiction limits face-to-face communication, which can have negative effects on the subjective wellbeing of individuals. However, the effect of digital media addiction on subjective wellbeing has not been adequately explored, and it is recommended in the literature that the role of mediating variables related to social life should be investigated. These include loneliness and satisfaction with relationships. The current study investigated whether loneliness and satisfaction with relationships explained the link between people’s digital media addiction and their sense of flourishing. A sample of 6,434 respondents from 21 countries (Mage = 25.92 years, SD = 9.78; 65.5% women) took part in a cross-sectional survey study. The study included a comprehensive evaluation of digital media addiction using several measures. The following scales were applied: the Internet Addiction Scale, the Facebook Intrusion Questionnaire, the Phubbing Scale, the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, the Relationship Assessment Scale, and the Flourishing Scale. A two-level path analysis showed that loneliness and satisfaction with interpersonal relationships fully mediated the link between digital media addiction and flourishing on the individual level. This suggests that digital media addiction may affect flourishing only through its impact on loneliness and satisfaction with interpersonal relationships.

Achieving relationship satisfaction: household gender equality and mattering

This study delves into the dynamics of relationship satisfaction (RS) among married couples and its crucial significance for mental health and psychological well-being. Survey data encompassing variables such as the general mattering scale, gender inequality in Household Chores scale, kansas marital conflict scale, and relationship assessment scale were gathered from 128 married individuals aged 18 to 65 in urban areas of Malaysia and Indonesia. Participants furnished demographic information including age, gender, and marriage duration. The study variables were assessed through the scales mentioned earlier. The findings, derived from bootstrap analysis involving 5,000 samples at a 95% confidence interval, revealed that the extent of partners' involvement in household chores significantly predicted their perception of gender equality in domestic responsibilities. This perception, in turn, fostered an elevated sense of mattering, thereby contributing to heightened relationship satisfaction. Importantly, the general mattering scale served as a significant mediator in the relationship between partner's household involvement and relationship satisfaction. In summary, couples benefit from partners engaging in domestic chores, resulting in an enhanced sense of mutual significance, greater relationship satisfaction, and improved mental well-being. Marital conflict frequency and intensity did not emerge as significant factors in this relationship.

The Processometric Consensus Rorschach Test (pCRT-II) – An Improved Evaluation System

Abstract: The processometric Consensus Rorschach Test is a method for analyzing the dynamics of couple communication in negotiation-based interactions. We present the development and first psychometric evaluation of the processometric Consensus Rorschach Test II (pCRT-II), which introduces several innovations to previous coding systems. Using the pCRT-II, couple communication can be assessed on dimensions of dominance, constructiveness, and emotional closeness. Intercoder reliability was demonstrated using intraclass correlations in three coders’ 15 pCRT-II protocols. Results showed that trained coders can code the three pCRT-II dimensions reliably. Moreover, we assessed the interactions of 155 heterosexual couples using the pCRT-II. Internal consistency tests of the scores of the three dimensions of the pCRT-II on the 10 Rorschach cards separately aggregated by gender indicated that the reliability of the scales is adequate. We also administered the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) and the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) to a subsample of 134 couples and tested the associations of the scales with the pCRT-II dimensions using the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM). Results demonstrated that pCRT-II has adequate concurrent validity. Based on the findings, the coding system is promising in that it can be used to gain new insights into the functioning of couples by examining their communication processes in detail.

Psychosocial experiences of involuntary definitive childless women: a comparative study based on reproductive status.

Do involuntary definitive childless women have lower psychosocial adjustment levels than women with infertility diagnoses actively trying to conceive and presumably fertile women? Involuntary definitive childless women have lower levels of sexual functioning than infertile women actively trying to conceive and presumably fertile women, and higher levels of depression than presumably fertile women. Involuntary definitive childless defines those who wanted to become parents but were unable to do so. Studies have provided evidence about infertility and its psychosocial consequences, but there is a lack of knowledge about the impact of involuntary definitive childlessness, namely on sexual function, social support, marital satisfaction, and psychological adjustment. This associative study was conducted between July 2021 and January 2022 for involuntary definitive childless women and between July 2016 and February 2018 for women with an infertility diagnosis actively trying to conceive as well as presumably fertile women. An online questionnaire announced in social media and gynaecology and fertility clinics was used. The inclusion criteria for all participants were being childless, in a heterosexual relationship and cohabiting for at least 2 years. Specific inclusion criteria for involuntary definitive childless women were: trying to conceive for at least 2 years; not achieving pregnancy because of biological and medical constraints; and not undergoing fertility treatment or being a candidate for adopting a child at time of the study. For women with an infertility diagnosis the inclusion criteria were: actively trying to conceive (naturally or through fertility treatments); having a primary fertility diagnosis; and aged between 22 and 42 years old. For presumably fertile women, the inclusion criteria were: having a parenthood wish in the future; and not knowing of any condition that could prevent them from conceiving. Out of 360 women completing the survey, only 203 were eligible for this study (60 involuntary definitive childless women, 78 women with an infertility diagnosis actively trying to conceive, and 65 presumably fertile women). All participants completed a questionnaire including sociodemographic and clinical data, the Female Sexual Function Index, the 2-Way Social Support Scale, the Relationship Assessment Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the relation between sexual function, social support, marital satisfaction, anxiety, depression, and reproductive status, adjusting for age, and cohabitation length. Presumably fertile women were used as a reference group. Women were 34.31 years old (SD = 5.89) and cohabited with their partners for 6.55 years (SD = 4.57). The odds ratio (OR) showed that involuntary definitive childless women had significantly lower sexual function than infertile women actively trying to conceive (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.79-0.99) and presumably fertile women (OR = 34.89, 95% CI = 1.98-614.03), and higher depression levels than presumably fertile women (OR = 99.89, 95% CI = 3.29-3037.87). Women with an infertility diagnosis actively trying to conceive did not differ from presumably fertile women in sexual function, social support, marital satisfaction, anxiety, and depression. The majority of childless women underwent fertility treatments, and childlessness for circumstantial reasons owing to lack of a partner was not included, therefore these results may not reflect the experiences of all women with an involuntary childless lifestyle. There was a time gap in the recruitment process, and only the definitive childlessness group filled out the questionnaire after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We did not ask participants if they self-identified themselves with the groups' terminology they were assigned to. Our results emphasize the importance of future research to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the adjustment experiences of childless women and an awareness of the poor adjustment they might experience, highlighting the need to keep following women after unsuccessful treatments. Clinical practitioners must attend to these dimensions when consulting involuntary definitive childless women who might not have gone through treatments but also experience these adverse outcomes. This study was partially supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. N/A.

Demographic Differences in Satisfaction in Interpersonal Relationships Among Consecrated Religious in Catholic Higher Educational Institutions in Lang’ata Sub-County, Kenya

The study sought to examine the socio-demographic differencesin relation to satisfaction in interpersonal relationships among consecrated religious in Catholic higher education institutions in Lang’ata Sub-County, Kenya. The study employed a quantitative paradigm to collect data and analyze it. A correlational research design was utilized. Proportionate stratified random sampling method was used to select 329 participants that took part in the study. The study was based on the Big Five Model and the Fundamental Interpersonal Relationship Orientation theory. Data was collected using the Big Five Inventory and the Relationship Assessment Scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that levels of satisfaction in interpersonal relationship varied across different demographic variables in the following manner; gender (male, M=26.6889, SD=3.24302; female, M=26.3673, SD=3.29400), stage of religious life (perpetually professed, M=27.0000, SD=3.05273, temporary professed, M=26.3578, SD=3.3578). Age, Participants within age range of 40-46 years old had a high mean of 27.1818, SD=2.83912 than the rest. Respondents with PhD degrees had a high mean (M=27.0000, SD=.00000) as compared to the rest. Lastly, participants who been in religious life for 11-20years old reported a higher mean of 27.5455, SD=2.99052 as compared to the rest. The study concluded that demographic variables have an influence on satisfaction in interpersonal relationship among the consecrated religious. The study recommends that counsellors need to psycho-educate the clients especially those who scored low in satisfaction in interpersonal relationships on how to develop interpersonal skills.

Evlilik Çatışma Alanları İndeksi ve Çatışma Çözme Stilleri Envanteri’nin Geliştirilmesi: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışmaları

The purpose of this study is to develop the Conflict Areas Index (CAI) to identify possible conflict areas that couples experience in their marriages and to develop the Conflict Styles Inventory (CSI) to assess how they deal with these conflicts. Exploratory (N=374) and confirmatory (N=152) factor analysis and test-retest (N=49) examinations were conducted with a sample of 575 married individuals in total. For the first scale, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to examine the construct validity of the CAI. According to the results, a single component giving frequency values for 15 different conflict areas was identified. In the criterion-related validity studies, the scale had a significant, negative, and strong correlation with the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) (r=-.72) and the level of satisfaction with the relationship (r=-.67). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found as .91. For the second scale, the construct validity of the CSI was examined using Exploratory Factor Analysis. The results revealed a three-dimensional structure named destructive, passive, and active conflict resolution styles. In the criterion-related validity studies, it was found significant and positive correlations between destructive (r=.14) and passive (r=.18) conflict resolution styles with CAI scores and a significant and negative correlation between active resolution style with CAI scores. In addition, there were significant and negative correlations between destructive (r=-.15) and passive (r=-.12) conflict resolution styles with the RAS scores and a significant and positive correlation between active conflict resolution style with the RAS scores. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were .88, .87, and .87 for destructive, passive, and active conflict resolution styles, respectively. The correlation values between the scores of the CSI within a 14-day time interval were ⍴=.94, ⍴=.91, and ⍴=.83 for destructive, passive, and active conflict resolution styles, respectively. These results indicated that CAI and CSI have sufficient psychometric properties that can be used to assess conflict areas and conflict resolution styles of married individuals.

Dimensions of personality organisation, mentalisation and evaluation of life and romantic relationship satisfaction

Introduction and objective: The Kernberg’s concept on the levels of personality organisation enables us to understand, on the one hand, the pathomechanism of personality disorders necessary for case conceptualisation in psychotherapy and, on the other hand, to predict individuals’ everyday functioning in interpersonal relationships and the experienced life satisfaction. In this study, we inquire whether dimensions of pathological personality structure are associated with negative evaluations of life satisfaction and interpersonal relationships. Additionally, we explored whether these relationships are modified by impaired mentalisation (as a mediator) and clinical group membership (as a moderator). Materials and methods: The study involved 88 participants (71 women) from both clinical (n = 45) and non-clinical groups, aged between 20 to 69 years (mean, M = 31.39; standard deviation, SD = 11.38). The participants completed the Kernberg’s Inventory of Personality Organization (IPO), the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and the Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ). Results: The results indicate that higher intensity of all dimensions of personality pathology (identity, defence mechanisms, aggression, reality testing, and moral functioning) is significantly associated with lower life satisfaction (rho = from −0.49 to −0.32) and greater difficulties in mentalisation (rho = 0.72 to 0.56). Increased intensity of defence mechanisms is also related to lower romantic relationship satisfaction (rho = −0.23). Moderated mediation analyses with 5000 bootstrap samples (where life satisfaction is an dependent variable, dimensions of personality organisation are independent variables, mentalisation disturbance is a mediator, and clinical group membership moderates all relationships) showed that disrupted mentalisation plays a mediating role in explaining life satisfaction and that clinical vs. non-clinical group membership may not moderate these relationships. Conclusion: The results help specify the relationships between the characteristics of Kernberg’s personality structure dimensions and the evaluation of everyday life satisfaction, suggesting an important role of mentalisation processes as transdiagnostic factors worth addressing in life satisfaction appraisal.

The Effect of Rumination on the Stability of Intimate Relationships

The primary purpose of this investigation is to understand the affect of rumination on intimacy and satisfaction. Many previous studies have found that sharing good memories between partners can make their intimate relationships more stable. Therefore, this paper proposes a hypothesis that rumination will destroy the stability of the partnership and reduce intimacy. In this study, Sojump was used to survey 252 Internet users, including 107 males and 145 females. Three questionnaires were used: Rumination Reflection Questionnaire (RRQ), Relationship Assessment Scale and Relationship Closeness Inventory. Correlation analysis and ANOVA were carried out on the data to analyze the relationship between gender, age and 5 variables. The results showed that rumination and future plans with partners showed a significant positive relationship, so it can be considered that rumination and partner intimacy have a positive relationship. In addition, significant negative correlation between age and rumination. The limitation is that the age range of the sample is relatively concentrated, the selected statistical method only shows correlation, and cannot directly reflect its causal relationship, and the questionnaire is based on individual self-report, which may be affected by subjectivity and memory bias. Future research could focus on the reasons for the positive relationship between rumination and partner planning for the future or the relationship between rumination and relationship satisfaction.

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the therapeutic relationship assessment scale for nurses.

It is essential for nurses who care for individuals diagnosed with mental illness to establish a therapeutic relationship. There is no measurement tool available in Türkiye to assess the therapeutic relationship between patient and nurse. The objective of this study is to perform a validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of a scale that enables the evaluation of the quality of the therapeutic relationship established between nurses and patients. 140 nurses were included in this study. The data were analysed using the exploratory and confirmatory analyses. The scale consists of 25 items and four sub-dimensions. In confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), all factor loads were >0.30. As a result of CFA, all fit indices were >0.85 and the root mean square approximation was <0.080. Cronbach alpha was 0.93 for the whole scale. The Turkish version of the TRAS-Nurse scale and its original version were compatible with each other and gave similar results. This scale can be used to determine the therapeutic relationship of nurses who care for psychiatric patients in Türkiye and can be a useful measurement tool when evaluating the factors that may be effective in improving the therapeutic relationship.

Commentary: Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the therapeutic relationship assessment scale for nurses.

Commentary: Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the therapeutic relationship assessment scale for nurses.

Çocukluk Çağı Travmaları ile Romantik İlişkide İstismara Maruziyet Arasındaki İlişkide Borderline Kişilik Özellikleri ve Ayrılık Anksiyetesinin Aracı Rolü

The study aims to examine the mediating role of borderline personality pattern and separation anxiety in adults in the relationship between childhood traumas and exposure to abuse in romantic relationships, to emphasize some factors that may cause violence in relationships, and to support initiatives to prevent exposure to partner violence. For the research, 400 participants aged 18-55 residing in Istanbul were determined by a simple random sampling method. After that, a Socio-demographic Information Form, Childhood Traumas Questionnaire (CTQ-33), Romantic Relationship Assessment Inventory (RRAI), Borderline Personality Questionnaire (BPQ), and Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASAQ) were given to them. The data obtained from the study were evaluated with the SPSS-25 statistical analysis program. Relationships between scales were evaluated with Pearson Correlation analysis, and mediating roles were evaluated with PROCESS 3.5 Macro. All analyses were based on a 95% confidence interval. When the research findings were examined, A positive correlation was found between the Childhood Traumas Questionnaire and all its subscales, the Borderline Personality Questionnaire and all its subscales, and the Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire and the Romantic Relationship Assessment Scale. Research results show that childhood traumas predict exposure to abuse in romantic relationships and that borderline personality traits and adult separation anxiety play a partial mediating role in this relationship. It has also been determined that adult separation anxiety predicts borderline personality traits. As a result of the study, it is shown that in the case of abuse and neglect experiences in childhood, whether individuals are exposed to abuse in romantic relationships or not is related to borderline personality traits and low tolerance for separation. Study results reveal that separation anxiety significantly predicts borderline personality traits (34%), indicating that separation anxiety can be targeted as a key point in the repetitive abuse pattern. Another result of the study is that the increase in separation anxiety in borderline personality traits is associated with low economic levels. The current result reveals the importance of economic independence in exploitation patterns.

Are Psychological Abuse and Jealousy Predictors of Satisfaction with Romantic Couple? A Correlational Study

It is well documented that psychological abuse and jealousy are two of the risk factors that impair well-being in a romantic relationship. The main objective of this study was to determine whether psychological abuse by one partner in a romantic couple and jealousy by the other partner predict the satisfaction with romantic couple. A questionnaire-based survey was administered to a sample of 79 Romanian adults (47 males and 62 females). Participants completed a demographic and relationship form as well as Romanian versions of the Scale of Psychological Abuse in Intimate Partner Violence (EAPA-P; Porrúa-García et al., 2016), the Interpersonal Jealousy Scale (IJS; Mathes &amp; Severa, 1981; Mathes, Roter &amp; Joerger, 1982), and the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS; Hendrick, 1988). Working hypotheses were tested using correlation analysis and multiple linear regression with the standard method. Compared to females, males reported significantly higher satisfaction with romantic couple. Participant gender was a positive predictor of the satisfaction with romantic couple, whereas direct and indirect strategies for psychological abuse and jealousy were negative predictors. Some practical implications are discussed.

Stalking and Relationship Satisfaction among Partners

The goal of the current study, which included gender as a moderator, was to assess the effect of Facebook stalking on romantic partners' satisfaction with their relationships. Online A-priori statistics were used to justify the sample (Soper, 2018). Purposive sampling was used to select 320 university students from Punjab, Pakistan's four public and private universities (University of Central Punjab, Bahauddin Zakariya University, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan Campuses). The Relationship Assessment Scale created by Hendrick et al. (1998) and the Cyber-Obsessional Pursuit Scale created by Spitzberg and Cupach (1999) were both used to gather the data. To analyze the data, SPSS (24.0) was used.

Relationship Between Empathy and Interpersonal Distress of Chinese Left-Behind Children: The Role of Emotion Regulation and Gender.

Interpersonal relationship serve as crucial of social support and a sense of security for left-behind children, playing a compensatory role in mitigating the absence of familial affection. Interpersonal distress can significantly impact their mental well-being. Although previous research has established a connection between empathy and interpersonal distress, the mechanisms by which empathy triggers interpersonal distress, as well as potential gender-based variations in this relationship, remain elusive. To bridge this gap in knowledge, this study investigates the mediating influence of emotion regulation and the moderating impact of gender in the relationship between empathy and interpersonal distress. A total of 713 rural left-behind children completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index scale, Emotion Regulation Competence Scale, and Interpersonal Relationship Assessment Scale. Pearson correlation analyses suggested strong significant correlations among empathy, emotion regulation ability, and interpersonal distress. Path analyses indicated that emotion regulation ability mediated the relationship between empathy and interpersonal distress. Furthermore, hierarchical regression analyses suggest a moderating effect of gender in the relationship between empathy and emotion regulation ability. The present study reveals the role of emotion regulation ability and gender in the relationship between empathy and interpersonal distress, which has important theoretical and practical implications for the prevention and intervention of interpersonal distress in left-behind children. Moreover, it may strengthen the relationship between peer and teacher at school, and improve the quality of parent-child communication at home.

Relationship satisfaction and self-esteem in patients with breast cancer and healthy women: the role of expected and actual personal projects support from the partner

BackgroundFor breast cancer patients, the partner’s support for personal projects can serve as a means of adaptation. We aimed to investigate the associations between the intimate partner’s personal project support and women’s well-being.MethodsA sample of 274 Hungarian women (breast cancer patients n = 137, control n = 137) took part in the study. Expected and actually received autonomy-, directive- and emotional project support was assessed by the procedure of Personal Project Assessment. Well-being was measured by the Relationship Assessment Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. For investigating the associations between project support and well-being in a multivariate way, structural equation modelling was used.ResultsExcept for autonomy support, participants expected more support than they received. A path model indicated multiple associations between types of project support and relationship satisfaction and self-esteem. The partner’s emotional project support was predictive of women’s relationship satisfaction and self-esteem, while directive support was predictive of self-esteem only. The associations showed similar patterns in the subgroups of patients with breast cancer and control.ConclusionsOur results highlight the importance of involving women’s subjective perspectives regarding the partner’s project support while also have implications for praxis. Teaching women how to communicate their needs to their partner effectively (whether it is the need for autonomy or directive guidance) can help close the gap between expected and received support, which may in turn enhance relationship satisfaction and self-esteem.

Till death do us apart? The impact of social recognition of relationships on fidelity

Although relationship satisfaction has been widely explored, there is a gap in the literature on how factors such as the legal recognition of relationships, relationship orientation and gender affect intentions to engage in infidelity. This study aimed to explore the effect of the legal recognition of relationships, relationship orientation and gender on intentions to engage in infidelity, while controlling for relationship satisfaction. Three hundred forty-seven participants were recruited. The participants were aged between 22 to 79 years (M=41.48, SD=10.16) and in a relationship between 5 and 59 years (M=15.21; SD=9.41). The countries where the participants were raised were split into three categories: no, partial and full legal recognition. The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale Short form, The Relationship Assessment Scale, The Intentions Towards Infidelity Scale were utilised. ANCOVA indicated that legal recognition is an important factor in intentions to engage in infidelity, furthermore females in heterosexual relationships from countries with full recognition had lower intentions to engage in infidelity. This study aimed to give direction for future research by highlighting the similarity of homosexual and heterosexual relationships when legitimised and focused more on gender differences.