Relationship Behaviors Research Articles

Protect the environment for impressing others? Understanding whether, why, and when relational mobility shapes individual pro-environmental behaviors

Despite a substantial body of literature on pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs), there has been an overlook of whether and how broader social contexts (relational mobility in particular) may shape PEBs. Integrating the perspective of the person-context interaction with impression management theory, our research aims to understand whether, why, and when relational mobility, an important societal factor, impacts individual self-reported PEBs. Study 1 utilized a national representative dataset and found that relational mobility was positively associated with PEBs. Study 2 replicated this result using a new sample, and further found that relational mobility increased PEBs via impression management motivation. Finally, Study 3 was conducted with an experimental design, revealing that environmental self-identity strengthened the mediating effect identified in Study 2. The findings highlight that PEBs can be shaped by broader environmental factors via impression management motivation, which provides practical implications for promoting environmental sustainability.

Chinese EFL learners' empowerment: does teacher care and confirmation matter?

Inspired by the rhetorical/relational goal theory, the current inquiry evaluated the role of two teacher relational behaviors, namely care and confirmation, in predicting Chinese EFL learners' empowerment. To do this, we administered three closed-ended scales to 391 Chinese students who studying English as a foreign language in various educational institutions in China. Students' attitudes toward the interplay between teacher care, teacher confirmation, and learner empowerment were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Amos software. The results uncovered that teacher confirmation and teacher care serve an essential role in improving Chinese EFL learners' empowerment. This indicates that EFL learners' empowerment strictly depends on the relational behaviors that teachers employ in instructional-learning contexts. The study outcomes may have some theoretical and practical implications for L2 researchers, language teachers, and teacher trainers.

Online Sexual Harassment in Adolescence: A Scoping Review

Abstract Introduction Sexual harassment is a complex behavior to study since it is characterized by various dimensions and definitions. Analyzing the characteristics and manifestations of this behavior in the online context, at such a vulnerable time as adolescence, is important to fully understand its nature, characteristics, and consequences. Aims and Method This work aims to systematize the information available in the literature, identify labels used to refer to online sexual harassment in the adolescent population, describe the definition of online sexual harassment taking into consideration specific criteria that emerge from the studies, and describe the operationalization of online sexual harassment. The literature search was conducted in November 2021 through four scientific databases: Scopus, PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science. The initial search led to 20958 results: after eliminating duplicates, screening, and reading of full-texts, 65 papers were included in the review. Results The type of relationship between aggressor and victim, the use of abusive connotations, and the time frame of occurring behaviors are investigated in included studies. Moreover, different typologies of abuse have been described, by differentiating between studies that focus on the victim's point of view and studies that focus on the perpetrator’s point of view. Conclusion Online sexual harassment covers a wide range of behaviors using digital content (images, videos, posts, messages). Through this scoping review, it is possible to identify some key characteristics of this phenomenon: online sexual harassment has an abusive connotation, as it is perceived as unwanted by the victim, it can occur in three main typologies (verbal, visual, cybersex) and even a single episode is enough to experience victimization. In terms of relational behaviors, online sexual harassment includes unwanted sexual solicitations and non-consensual sharing.

Applying concepts of relational density theory to climate related consumer behavior: A contextual extension study

Predicting and influencing consumer behavior can aid in combating the climate crisis. Previously, Matthews et al. (2022) modelled the influence of relational framing on consumer purchasing, where relational training established pro- and anti-environmental coordinated classes. The current paper extends Matthews et al.’s (2022) analysis by empirically modelling complex relational networks consistent with Relational Density Theory (RDT; Belisle & Dixon, 2020). In the experiment, participants completed a pre- and post- relational training multidimensional scaling procedure including positive and negative valence environmental related imagery and unfamiliar symbols. The relational training was designed to establish coordination between the symbols and evaluative climate functions. This analysis allowed for the development of a geometric model of complex relational behavior that were consistent with shifts in purchasing behavior observed in the prior study, supporting the link between relational behavior and overt behavior that may be of interest to behavior and climate scientists. Moreover, the current study provides a direct translational extension of existing research on RDT to a topic of immense social importance.

Impact of Nurse Manager Leadership Styles on Work Engagement: A Systematic Literature Review

Aims. This systematic review aimed to identify, evaluate, and synthesise the results of the studies that examine the relationship between nurse managers’ leadership practices and staff nurses’ work engagement in hospital settings and to provide recommendations for improvement and further research. Background. A lack of supportive leadership is identified as one of the most common reasons nurses leave employment. To meet the global shortage of nurses, nurse managers need to maximise staff retention and work engagement. Evaluation. A systematic review was conducted to identify research published between 2010 and 2021 and registered in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, EMCare, and Eric databases. The methodology guidelines outlined in the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Methodology for Systematic Reviews were followed, and the results were reported using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (ID CRD42021277463). Key Issue. Eleven (11) studies from 12 articles were included in this review. Three main leadership style themes were identified, and these showed statistically significant direct and indirect relationships with nurses’ work engagement: relationally focused, task-focused, and lack of leadership. Work engagement was mainly assessed in terms of dedication, absorption, and vigour. The effects of leadership styles on work engagement were found to be mediated by trust in the leader, environmental resources such as structural empowerment, six work-life areas (workload, control, values, community, rewards, and fairness), person-job fit, organisational support, leader-member exchange, and personal resources such as self-efficacy and decision authority. Conclusion. This review found a significant correlation between positive nurse manager leadership style and the work engagement of registered nurses. Implications for Nursing Management. The results of this review suggest that nursing work engagement can be improved by implementing relational leadership behaviours. The findings of this review will be useful for developing appropriate nurse leaders’ leadership styles, improving their workplace environments, and planning leadership training. It is essential to acknowledge the indirect effects of nurse leaders’ leadership styles and their mediating factors on work engagement while developing interventions for staff nurses.

Adolescent relational behaviour and the obesity pandemic: A descriptive study applying social network analysis and machine learning techniques.

To study the existence of subgroups by exploring the similarities between the attributes of the nodes of the groups, in relation to diet and gender and, to analyse the connectivity between groups based on aspects of similarities between them through SNA and artificial intelligence techniques. 235 students from 5 different educational centres participate in this study between March and December 2015. Data analysis carried out is divided into two blocks: social network analysis and unsupervised machine learning techniques. As for the social network analysis, the Girvan-Newman technique was applied to find the best number of cohesive groups within each of the friendship networks of the different classes analysed. After applying Girvan-Newman in the three classes, the best division into clusters was respectively 2 for classroom A, 7 for classroom B and 6 for classroom C. There are significant differences between the groups and the gender and diet variables. After applying K-means using population diet as an input variable, a K-means clustering of 2 clusters for class A, 3 clusters for class B and 3 clusters for class C is obtained. Adolescents form subgroups within their classrooms. Subgroup cohesion is defined by the fact that nodes share similarities in aspects that influence obesity, they share attributes related to food quality and gender. The concept of homophily, related to SNA, justifies our results. Artificial intelligence techniques together with the application of the Girvan-Newman provide robustness to the structural analysis of similarities and cohesion between subgroups.

Liberating Social Work Education Through Decoloniality

ABSTRACTWithin Social Work education, there has been a rising call for decoloniality. Among the areas most frequently targeted for transformation are the privileging of Christian Euro-centric sources of knowledge and means of transmission, Christian Euro-centric relational norms and behaviors, Euro-centric standards of excellence and professionalism. The origin of coloniality is steeped in four pillars, White Supremacy, Patriarchy, Capitalism and Christianity, labeled as the Colonial Matrix of Power (CMP). Bolstered by the promises that the principles comprising modernity (development, progress, rationality) are good for all, those managing and controlling the CMP define what are considered legitimate forms of knowledge (epistemology) and status of being (ontology). This paper offers a perspective on how the transformation of social work education is contingent upon the development of critical consciousness, legitimization of indigenous knowledge and cosmologies, critical realism, epistemic disobedience, and the primacy of connection and relationship among all entities. Through re-developing these skills and practices, social work education can take a verdant role in the decoloniality of professional education.

Validation and expansion of a behavioral framework for dementia care partner resilience (CP-R).

Resilience - the ability to bounce back after a stressor - is a core component of successful family caregiving for people living with dementia. In this manuscript, we describe the preliminary empirical validation of a new behavioral framework developed from existing literature for assessing care partner resilience, CP-R, and propose its potential value for future research and clinical care. We selected 27 dementia care partners who reported significant challenges prompted by a recent health crisis of their care recipient from three local university-affiliated hospitals in the United States. We conducted semi-structured interviews to elicit care partners' accounts of what they did to address those challenges that helped them recover during and after the crisis. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using abductive thematic analysis. When persons with dementia experienced health crises, care partners described various challenges in managing new and often complex health and care needs, navigating informal and formal care systems, balancing care responsibilities with other needs, and managing difficult emotions. We identified five resilience-related behavioral domains, including problem-response (problem-solving, -distancing, -accepting, and -observing), help-related (help-seeking, -receiving, and -disengaging), self-growth (self-care activities, spiritual-related activities, and developing and maintaining meaningful relationships), compassion-related (self-sacrifice and relational compassion behaviors), and learning-related (learning from others and reflecting). Findings support and expand the multidimensional CP-R behavior framework for understanding dementia care partner resilience. CP-R could guide the systematic measurement of dementia care partners' resilience-related behaviors, support individual tailoring of behavioral care plans, and inform the development of resilience-enhancing interventions.

An observational study to assess the educational management of conflicts between young children in the Pikler-Lóczy educational approach. Implications in the early development of personality

ABSTRACT Personality develops during early childhood (0–3 years). As early childhood education is becoming a generalized trend worldwide, this means that school or secondary socialization overlaps with family or primary socialization during this key developmental stage. While conflict is fundamental in socialization, conflicts between peers are particularly important in secondary socialization. Our research aims to assess the educational management of conflicts between children in the Pikler-Lóczy educational approach. The choice of Observational Methodology entailed the design of an ad hoc instrument based on relevant theoretical framework and suitable to systematize the proposed observation. Quality control analyses show satisfactory agreement levels while results of data analyses indicate the existence of particular individual actions and relational behaviors in children depending on their role in the conflict: victim or instigator. Additionally, educators’ intervention is adjusted to each child or situation and mainly focuses on behavior regulation and perspective taking, hence, promoting healthy early socialization.

The relational factors in managing rural water supply in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract The Punjab Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and community-based organizations (CBOs) collaboratively manage the rural water supply (RWS) system in Punjab, Pakistan since the mid-nineties. In a command-and-control administration, a collaborative approach to managing RWS is atypical. The study addresses this gap by analyzing the relational behavior as a monitoring and enforcement mechanism to ensure community compliance with government-produced institutions for managing RWS. Four focus group interviews were conducted with the CBO members and the survey of households from the same villages. Using the partial-least square structural equation model (PLS-SEM), the mediating influence of frequent communication, commitment of users, and shared meaning on community compliance with institutions was analyzed. The integrated results from the two methods imply that trained CBOs better self-organize, as they communicate frequently with the community members. It is recommended that for the sustainability of the RWS system, regular government support for CBOs underscores the success of collaborative collective action, though trained CBOs better manage RWS in weak monitoring by the government.

Relational Maintenance Behavior as a Predictor of Marital Satisfaction in Commuter Marriage

This study aims to examine the predictive role of Relationship Maintenance Behavior and its strategies (positivity, understanding, self-disclosure, relationship talk, assurances, sharing tasks, social network) on marriage satisfaction among commuter marriage couples. Instruments used included the Relational Maintenance Behavior (self-reported and partner-reported) to see the use of RMB strategies, and the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) to see the marriage satisfaction. Data were collected from 152 individuals who participated in commuter marriage, aged below 38, and have been married for less than 13 years (the adjusting type). Finding reveals that both the use of Relationship Maintenance Behavior and perception of partner’s use of Relationship Maintenance Behavior significantly predict marriage satisfaction in commuter marriage. Specifically, the Relationship Maintenance strategy that significantly predicts marital satisfaction is positivity, and the Relationship Maintenance strategies used by the partner that significantly predict marital satisfaction are shared task and positivity.

Interactive Communication and Marketing Performance of Micro and Small Enterprises within Nyanza Region, Kenya

To address the ever-changing needs of the clients, MSEs have to potentiate their one-to-one interaction with their customers as a cornerstone for their marketing performance. This is because interactive marketing courtesy of interactive communication makes a real effort to reach customers and understand their needs and preferences leading to high levels of marketing performance. However, the use of collaborative technologies for interactive communication amongst MSEs in Kenya remains a challenge. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish the influence of interactive communication on the marketing performance of micro and small enterprises within Nyanza region, Kenya. Theory of relational market behaviour and a cross-sectional survey research design was adopted with a target population of 3,211 registered MSE owners in the Nyanza out of which sample size of 356 was selected using Yamanes (1967) formula. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using SPSS version 25.0. From findings intercreative communication explained 30.7 percent variation on marketing performance. A coefficient of .319 indicated that a unit change in interactive communication leads to .319 units of positive change in marketing performance. In conclusion interactive communication significantly predicts marketing performance at thus the rejection of the null hypothesis. There is need for MSEs to strengthen their interactive communication platforms for consumers to voice their requirements, perspectives, or opinions and support information exchange. They should also develop methods for collecting input from customers. The report also suggests that when dealing with consumers, MSEs should use positive language, be concise and clear, and personalize their interactions. Thus, it mandates the MSEs to scan the marketing environment for opportunities and align their capabilities of interactive marketing communications with the changes in the customer preferences for maximal output. The finding of this study can help major stakeholders in the MSE sector to strengthen interactive marketing communications for marketing performance.

Parental alienation - a valid experience?

The phenomenon of 'parental alienation' is controversial and little explored in the Nordic countries. We wanted to investigate whether parental alienation is a valid concept and how it is perceived in a Nordic context. The study was based on an online survey where the participants were self-recruited. We received responses from 1212 participants. Bivariate and multivariate models were used to test the associations between parental alienation and gender, other intimate partner violence, depressive health problems and reduced well-being. Visitation sabotage and parental alienation are realities for both fathers and mothers. It was most frequently directed at fathers, but such behaviour is not gender specific. Eight different alienation strategies have high internal reliability, and all items contribute to high Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was confirmed by the fact that parental alienation is strongly associated with visitation sabotage and with other forms of destructive relational behaviour. Visitation sabotage and false accusations increase gradually with the degree of parental alienation. The construct validity of parental alienation was also confirmed by dose-response associations with both mental ill-health and impaired well-being in adjusted analyses. The phenomenon of parental alienation is recognized among parents as a form of harmful behaviour where both mothers and fathers suffer. The construct validity was supported in this study. Such behaviour should be recognized as a form of domestic violence by professional communities in health and social services and be subject to legal action.

Supervisee Nondisclosure: Does Relational Humility Matter?

Applying the relational humility model to address gaps in the clinical supervision literature, we tested the interpersonal constructs of relational humility, supervisory working alliance, and relational behavior as predictors of supervisee nondisclosure (i.e., clinically-related and supervision-related nondisclosure). We hypothesized that relational humility moderates the relation between supervisory working alliance and supervision-related nondisclosure and that the supervisory working alliance and relational behavior each uniquely predicts supervisee nondisclosure. Self-report data from 312 trainees in the United States receiving clinical supervision across training settings found relational humility, supervisory working alliance, and relational behavior explained over a quarter of the variance in the multivariate construct of supervisee nondisclosure. Relational humility significantly moderated (and amplified) the inverse relation between the supervisory working alliance and supervision-related nondisclosure. The supervisory working alliance and relational behavior did not uniquely predict clinically-related or supervision-related nondisclosure. Results are discussed for their practical, theoretical, and research implications.

“We know it is not good, but we are constrained”: A study on quality of emergency obstetric and newborn care in Northern Ghana

ObjectiveTo explore the quality of emergency obstetric and newborn care provided to newly delivered women in rural Ghana. MethodsA multiple case study design, involving in-depth face to face interviews, was deployed to draw evidence from essential health providers, clients and caretakers. Data were further derived from non-participant observation by means of an observation guide and analysis of physical artifacts using the room-by-room walk-through tool. Data analysis followed Yin’s five phase process to case study analysis. ResultsQuality of care was compromised by non-adherence to standard practices, inadequate monitoring, crude treatment procedures, lack of basic care needs and poor health providers' relational behaviours. Limited supplies of drugs, equipment and essential care providers further weakened the provision of quality emergency obstetric and newborn care. ConclusionInadequate supply of essential logistics and skill gaps on the part of health providers in some maternal and newborn care components adversely produced poor maternal and neonatal outcomes in rural Ghana. Elements of disrespectful care for women suggest violations of their rights in the maternal and newborn care encounter.

Empathic capacity - fundamental component of the relationship structure

The article reflects of theoretical aspects regarding empathic capacity as a fundamental component of the relational structure. In fact, empathic behavior is a characteristic of the interpersonal relationship, being dependent on the level of manifestation of this personality trait. Recognized as a general aptitude, existing within any relational behavior of the individual, it has been demonstrated that it can also become a special aptitude, indispensable for the exercise of certain professions, and can even be structured in the form of an empathic personality style.

The link between communication competence and family communication patterns

The quality of the close relationship between parents and children is difficult for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Many parents do not have the communication competence to build strong interaction with autistic children, which causes interaction patterns at home to be inappropriate. This study aims to determine the influence of communication competence on the relationship quality of parents and children, determine the effect of family communication patterns on the relationship quality of parents and children, determine the effect of family communication patterns on relational maintenance behaviour, determine the effect of relational maintenance behaviour on relationship quality of parents and children, determine the role of relational maintenance behaviour as a mediator of the influence between communication competence and family communication patterns on the quality of the relationship between parents and children. This study uses quantitative research methods with survey methods and purposive sampling techniques. The results of the sample (N=202) indicate that communication competence significantly affects the quality of the relationship between parents and children, family communication patterns significantly affect the quality of the relationship between parents and children, family communication patterns significantly affect relational maintenance behaviour, and relational maintenance behaviour significantly affects the relationship on the quality of the relationship between parents and children, and relational maintenance significantly mediates the influence between communication competence and family communication patterns on the quality of the relationship between parents and children.

Emotion Coaching Practice With the Whole School Approach “Emotionally Friendly Kindergarten Transformation Program” Process Analysis

The preschool period must be the starting point for the same attitude among all education stakeholders to achieve sustainable improvement and permanent change. Undoubtedly, a supportive classroom environment with a bond and an emotion-oriented approach contributes to children’s intellectual and personal development. Emotion coaching is a relational behavior management approach that enables people/children to realize the emotions they are experiencing. The whole school approach facilitates the development of a common language between stakeholders. There is a need for studies that address emotion coaching and the whole approach together in early childhood. This study examined stakeholders’ perspectives on implementing the Emotion-Friendly Kindergarten Transformation Program (EFKTP), an emotion coaching program based on a whole school approach. Based on the case study method, the study consists of 34 individuals, including all stakeholders. The data were collected through focus group interviews and semistructured interviews with stakeholders regarding the eight stages of the EFKTP program. Descriptive and content analysis methods were used to evaluate the program’s overall impact. The results suggest that school applications of the program enhance children’s emotional repertoire and behavioral control, home activities enhance communication and relationships between children and their families, and emotion coaching training to stakeholders improves self-efficacy perceptions among teachers and parents.

Examining the Effect of Airport Environment on Perceived Image, Memorable Experiences and Passenger Relational Behaviours

This study aims to explore air passengers’ relational behaviours in terms of advocacy and openness by considering the overall airport environment, perceived image, and memorable experience in the context of international airports. The data was gathered from 879 respondents who are experienced airport users. This study employs partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to verify the validity and accuracy of the research model. The overall airport environment was established with the second-order formative construct of six dimensions, namely, information and layout, terminal ambience, security, passenger facilities, gate area, and leisure and entertainment. Findings enhance knowledge of the formation process of airport image and memorable travel experience and provide insights into tourism and airport literature, particularly from the perspectives of air passengers. This study also discusses practical implications.

One piece of the puzzle: Treatment of fostered and adopted children with RAD and DSED

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED) are two interrelated diagnoses emerging from pathogenic and insufficient care during the first few years of life. They have been reported in children who were fostered or adopted after experiencing severe early deprivation through institutionalisation, as well as youth with foster care and maltreatment histories. Substantial comorbid and overlapping difficulties often coexist with both disorders, which complicates their identification. Despite a consensus that RAD and DSED are distinctive diagnoses that capture relational behaviours not elsewhere described, many questions remain about their development and treatment. Research probing underlying mechanisms for both disorders is scarce, and only a few studies exist that chronicle potential interventions. Extant treatments tend to focus on parent management training rather than attachment-based interventions and often do not incorporate assessment of the child’s relational schemata and comorbid difficulties into interventions. This article expands on earlier interventions by detailing the current state of knowledge about RAD and DSED and their common comorbidities in children with foster care and adoption histories and by suggesting how to weave that knowledge into comprehensive assessment and treatment. Two case vignettes are presented.