Relational Maintenance Behaviors Research Articles

Exploring relationship maintenance behaviors among emerging adult siblings: comparative analysis of measurement frameworks

ABSTRACT This study replicates and expands upon Myers (2022) work examining the moderating influence of shared family identity on relationship maintenance behaviors and relational quality. This research also offers a comparative analysis between two measurement frameworks designed to evaluate relationship maintenance behaviors: Canary and Stafford’s (1992) model and Ledbetter’s (2013) framework. Survey data was collected from 218 undergraduate students at a mid-size university in the southern United States, all enrolled in undergraduate communication courses. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression, findings demonstrate the moderating effect of shared family identity on emerging adult sibling use of the following relationship maintenance behaviors from Ledbetter’s measurement framework—verbal affection, informal talk, deep talk, conflict management, and shared networks—and perceived relational quality. Notably, none of Canary and Stafford’s maintenance strategies produced significant results in the moderation analysis.

“I enjoy conversing with my professor”: relational maintenance behaviors in the undergraduate student–instructor context

ABSTRACT Scholars of communication, teaching, and learning have been calling for more research on the instructor–student relationship to be studied from an interpersonal perspective. To answer these calls, we conducted a two-step scale development study, first to derive participant-generated responses concerning undergraduate student relational maintenance behaviors and second to construct and validate a scale concerning those behaviors. Of additional interest was to explore reasons as to why students aim to maintain these relationships. A 19-item measure titled the Student Relational Maintenance Scale was created, consisting of making connections, respectful behavior, classroom participation, expressing gratitude, and classroom effort. Additionally, results revealed that both professional reasons and personal reasons motivated students to build these relationships. The results of this study provided further insight into how and why undergraduate college students build positive interpersonal connections with their instructors.

Romantic partner communication, familism values, and Latine young adults’ relationship maintenance

Negative communication between partners can impede the enactment of prosocial, relationship maintenance behaviors. These processes are especially critical to consider for Latine young adults who hold cultural values, like familism, which emphasize the great importance of personal relationships. Using a sample of 475 Latine young adults ( M = 24.8 years, SD = 3.22), we examined the moderating role of familism on the association between negative communication (e.g., partners’ propensity to withdraw or criticize during interactions) and relationship maintenance (e.g., affectionate and supportive efforts to sustain the relationship). We found that negative communication was inversely associated with individuals’ own relationship maintenance enactment. However, familism buffered the association between negative communication and relationship maintenance; under conditions of high familism, the association between negative communication and relationship maintenance remained negative, but with a weaker effect than under conditions of low familism. Findings reinforce the negative effects of maladaptive communication in relationships more broadly and highlight the protective role of relationally oriented cultural values.

Does Facebook Use Provide Social Benefits to Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury?

Drawing on the social compensation hypothesis, this study investigates whether Facebook use facilitates social connectedness for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), a common and debilitating medical condition that often results in social isolation. In a survey (N = 104 participants; n = 53 with TBI, n = 51 without TBI), individuals with TBI reported greater preference for self-disclosure on Facebook (vs. face-to-face) compared to noninjured individuals. For noninjured participants, a preference for Facebook self-disclosure was associated with the enactment of relational maintenance behaviors on Facebook, which was then associated with greater closeness with Facebook friends. However, no such benefits emerged for individuals with TBI, whose preference for Facebook self-disclosure was not associated with relationship maintenance behaviors on Facebook, and did not lead to greater closeness with Facebook friends. These findings show that the social compensation hypothesis has partial utility in the novel context of TBI, and suggest the need for developing technological supports to assist this vulnerable population on social media platforms.

Attachment, relational maintenance behaviors and relationship quality in romantic long-distance relationships: A dyadic perspective

This study tested an actor-partner interdependence mediation model (APIMeM) in which dyadic relational maintenance behaviors (RMBs) mediate the relationship between romantic attachment (i.e., anxious and avoidant) and multiple indicators of relationship quality among couples in long-distance relationships (LDRs). Data were collected from 137 couples (women’s mean age = 20.37 years; men’s mean age = 21.93) who were in a serious romantic LDR and who completed an attachment measure, a measure of dyadic RMBs, and four measures of relationship quality (i.e., relationship satisfaction, relational commitment, closeness with the partner, and connection with others). Path analyses revealed significant actor and partner effects. Moreover, a total mediation between women’s anxious attachment and both partners’ relationship quality, and a partial mediation between men’s and women’s avoidant attachment and their own relationship quality were uncovered. Overall, the results suggest that, for couples in LDRs, one partner’s behaviors, cognitions, or emotions influence each member of the dyad as well as the quality of the relationship.

An Investigation of Married Individuals' Relationship Maintenance Strategies in Terms of Gender and Gender Roles Attitudes

The aim of this study is to examine the behaviors of married individuals to maintain relationships according to their gender and gender role attitudes. The study group of the study consisted of 177 (52.8%) females and 158 males (%) aged between 24 and 50 (x̄=30.2), residing in İzmir, and having a relationship period of 2 to 20 years (x̄=5.9). 47.2), a total of 335 heterosexual married people. As data collection tools in the research, “Relationship Maintenance Strategies Scale”, “Gender Roles Attitude Scale” and “Personal Information Form” were used. Two-way MANOVA method was used in the analysis of the data. Findings from the two-way MANOVA analysis show that gender and gender roles have an impact on relationship maintenance behaviors. In this context, it has been determined that gender roles have a higher degree of influence than biological sex in maintaining relationships. According to the findings of the study, it was determined that female participants exhibited relationship-maintaining behaviors more frequently than male participants. In terms of gender roles attitude, It has been determined that the participants who have an egalitarian gender role attitude exhibit more frequent relationship maintenance behaviors than the participants who have traditional gender roles attitudes. As a result, gender and gender roles have a significant effect on relationship maintenance strategies.

Foster caregivers' depressive symptoms and parenting stress: Applying the theory of resilience and relational load

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the current study was to identify constructive interpersonal behaviors that may make relational partners more resilient while foster caregiving.BackgroundFoster caregiving can be stressful due to the unique demands of the role. Consistent with the theory of resilience and relational load, we propose one possible way for couples to manage stress and promote resilience is by investing in their relationships through repetitive and positive relationship maintenance behaviors.MethodTwo‐parent foster caregiving couples (N = 227) completed online surveys measuring perceptions of their own and their partners' relationship maintenance and conflict management behaviors, as well as individual reports of depressive symptoms and parenting stress.ResultsStructural equation actor–partner interdependence modeling indicated significant direct and indirect actor effects, but no partner effects. Both men's and women's perceptions of the couple's relationship maintenance were positively associated with their perceptions of the couple's conflict management, which, in turn, were negatively related with their own depressive symptoms and parenting stress.ConclusionCouples' prosocial and constructive behaviors are related to lower mental distress in foster caregivers.ImplicationsCouple‐focused interventions may be helpful in promoting behaviors that enhance couple functioning and promote the well‐being of foster caregivers.

Relationship maintenance strategies of rotational workers and their partners

AbstractAlthough individuals who reside permanently in one location and work temporarily in another (i.e., rotational workers) represent a sizeable segment of the population, they are understudied in the empirical literature. Because rotational workers and their at‐home partners have unique long‐distance relationships due to frequent separations and reunions, they and their relationships should be examined. The primary aim of this study was to identify key factors associated with maintenance of romantic relationships between rotational workers and their at‐home partners. Participants (N = 289) were rotational workers (n = 129) and at‐home partners of workers (n = 160) who completed online surveys on individual, dyadic, and extra‐dyadic relationship maintenance behaviors and relationship characteristics over the course of two working‐reunion (roster) phases. Results indicated individual, dyadic, and extra‐dyadic behaviors positively predicted perceived relationship quality among partners and workers. Among partners, generosity positively predicted relationship quality at the first reunion and second departure phases. All other individual, dyadic, and extra‐dyadic relationship maintenance behaviors predicted relationship quality, regardless of the roster phase. Overall, results suggest the importance of relationship maintenance education for individuals in rotational romantic relationships.

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.

Sanctification, Relationship Maintenance Behaviors, and Closeness Within Parent-Adult Child Relationships

ABSTRACT According to sanctification theory, parents and adult children who see their parent-adult child relationships as possessing sacred qualities will be more apt to behave in ways that protect it. Positioning relationship maintenance behaviors as an explanatory mechanism through which sanctification is associated with relational quality in parent-adult child (N = 205 dyads) relationships, an Actor – Partner Interdependence Model Extended to Mediation analysis was conducted. The results indicated that parents’ sanctification is indirectly associated with both parent and adult children’s reports of closeness via relationship maintenance behaviors. Likewise, adult children’s sanctification is indirectly associated with both parent and adult children’s reports of closeness via relationship maintenance behaviors. Theoretical and practical implications of relationship maintenance behaviors mediating the relationship between sanctification and closeness in parent-adult child relationships are discussed.

LGBTQ+ College Students' Relationship Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Research suggests that COVID-19-related restrictions affected individuals' ability to engage in relationship maintenance behaviors and have led to poorer romantic relationship quality. Poor relationship quality may be especially problematic for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and otherwise non-heterosexual or-cisgender (LGBTQ+) college students, who often lack family support and are at greater risk for mental health issues. We used a social exchange theory lens to examine correlates of relationship satisfaction for LGBTQ+ college students during the early months of the pandemic. The analytic sample consists of 175 LGBTQ+ students (Mage = 20.5) who completed an online survey and reported being in a romantic relationship. Our findings demonstrate that LGBTQ+ students with more supportive partners were more satisfied with their relationships. These results can inform clinicians how to better support LGBTQ+ college couples when they experience relationship stress.

Lonely algorithms: A longitudinal investigation into the bidirectional relationship between algorithm responsiveness and loneliness

This research project addresses the role algorithms play in curating meaningful social connections on social media by examining perceived algorithm responsiveness (PAR) and perceived algorithm insensitivity (PAI) within the framework of the bidirectional model of social internet use and loneliness. In study 1, a cross-sectional survey found that PAR and PAI on Instagram are both associated with loneliness, and that the association for PAR depends upon age. In study 2, a 3-wave longitudinal survey replicates these associations. Online relational maintenance behaviors explained the negative relationship between PAR and loneliness but not the positive relationship for PAI and loneliness. Loneliness at wave t-1 predicted perceptions of algorithm responsiveness at wave t but not vice versa. This research contributes to social media uses and effects by theorizing and empirically testing the connection of algorithms with loneliness, finding that perceptions of social media algorithms are associated with perceived social isolation.

Editorial Synthesis for 2 in 2023: A Collaboration Between IARR’s Two Journals: Recognizing the Need for Greater Inclusivity in Relationship Science

The idea for this special issue came from the current Editors of the Journal for Social and Personal Relationships and Personal Relationships, who wanted to forge a collaboration between the International Association for Relationship Research’s two journals. This collaboration came at a time when issues surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion were being brought to light in science, broadly defined. Stemming from such discussions, for this special issue, the Editors asked 10 sets of authors to apply an intersectional lens – grounded in Crenshaw’s (1989, 1991) definition of intersectionality and drawing from questions posed by Cole (2009) – to their systematic review of literature from the past 20 years (1992–2022) and to answer these three questions: (1) from whose vantage point is the research being conducted, (2) what types of questions are valued, and (3) who is included in the research versus who is being left out/whose voices are missing. Manuscripts in the special issue include these topics: (a) affectionate communication, health, and relationships, (b) romantic relationship maintenance behaviors, (c) relationship maintenance among military couples, (d) relational sacrifices, (e) LGBTQ-inclusive research, (f) stress, support, and coping for romantic couples, (g) daily stress and romantic relationship quality, (h) infidelity, (i) relationship dissolution, and (j) the longitudinal study of romantic close relationships. Across the reviews, authors noted many of the same patterns; most studies included samples from the U.S., wherein participants identified as White, heterosexual, and female; however, military samples were dominated by men. The methods employed were largely quantitative, cross-sectional, and/or with data coming from surveys. Observations during the review process included the role of positionality as well as greater knowledge gained about the critical framework of intersectionality, specifically acknowledging that elements of diversity in sampling methods are not an application of intersectionality; rather, intersectionality places central focus on (a) how multiply marginalized social identities have been historically oppressed and (b) how systems of power, oppression, and privilege construct, reproduce, and sustain those multiply marginalized social identities. Recommendations for future relationship science are presented, specifically in how our fields can benefit from learning from the lens of intersectionality.

Measuring Relational Entropy: Relational Maintenance Behavior Mediates the Association between Religious Similarity and Entropy in Friendships

ABSTRACT Entropy is the natural tendency of systems to move from a state of order to disorder, and previous theorizing has argued that close relationships are subject to entropy over time. Building from qualitative work exploring the conceptual domain, this study developed a quantitative survey measure of the perception of relational entropy. Factor analysis revealed two entropy dimensions, decay and destruction, and comparison with related measures revealed these constructs are empirically distinct. The study further validated the measures by examining their associations with friend religious similarity and relational maintenance behaviors. Positivity and supportiveness mediated the association between religious similarity and decay entropy, whereas openness and interaction mediated the association between religious similarity and destruction entropy.

Editorial synthesis for 2 in 2023 a collaboration between IARR's two journals: Recognizing the need for greater inclusivity in relationship science

AbstractThe idea for this special issue came from the current Editors of the Journal for Social and Personal Relationships and Personal Relationships, who wanted to forge a collaboration between the International Association for Relationship Research's two journals. The timing of such collaboration came at a time when issues surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion were being brought to light in science, broadly defined. Stemming from such discussions, for this special issue, we asked 10 sets of authors to apply an intersectional lens—grounded in Crenshaw's (1989, 1991) definition of intersectionality and drawing from questions posed by Cole (2009)—in their systematic review of literature from the past 20 years (1992–2022) and to answer these three questions: (1) from whose vantage point is the research being conducted, (2) what types of questions are valued, and (3) who is included in the research vs. who is being left out/whose voices are missing. Reviews for the special issue include these topics: (a) affectionate communication, health, and relationships, (b) romantic relationship maintenance behaviors, (c) relationship maintenance among military couples, (d) relational sacrifices, (e) LGBTQ‐inclusive research, (f) stress, support, and coping for romantic couples, (g) daily stress and romantic relationship quality, (h) infidelity, (i) relationship dissolution, and (j) the longitudinal study of romantic close relationships. Across the reviews, authors noted many of the same patterns; most studies included samples from the United States, wherein participants identified as White, heterosexual, and/or female; however, military samples were dominated by men. The methods employed were largely quantitative, cross‐sectional, and/or with data coming from surveys. Observations during the review process included the role of positionality as well as greater knowledge gained about the critical framework of intersectionality, specifically acknowledging that elements of diversity in sampling methods are not an application of intersectionality; rather, intersectionality places central focus on (a) how multiply marginalized social identities have been historically oppressed and (b) how systems of power, oppression, and privilege construct, reproduce, and sustain those multiply marginalized social identities. Recommendations for future relationship science are presented, specifically in how our fields can benefit from learning from the lens of intersectionality.

QUALITY OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

This research looks at how communication can help victims of abusive relationships maintain their relationships. The goal of this study is to first figure out how victims can stay in abusive relationships, and then to figure out how victims' experiences in abusive relationships are described. The notion of Interpersonal Communication and the theory of Relationship Maintenance were applied in this study. This research employed a phenomenological method and a qualitative approach with a constructivism paradigm. The information was gathered by interviews or in-depth interviews with four sources, and the results were assessed using the source triangulation data validity technique. The findings revealed that relationship violence can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial. During and after the occurrence of violence, abusive relationships tend to go through cycles. Even though they are in an abusive relationship, the perpetrator still engages in relationship maintenance behaviors such as giving praise, being open to each other, providing certainty in relationships, doing tasks together, and interacting with others, as stated in the relationship maintenance theory. Victims of abusive relationships have their own reasons for staying in abusive relationships, such as the fact that they have been in an abusive relationship for a long time, still love them, and are frightened to leave.

General, Network, and Communicative Characteristics of Facebook Use in Relation to Quality of Life during Older Adulthood

This study examined associations between older adult Facebook users’ quality of life (QoL) and their amount of Facebook use, Facebook network characteristics (i.e., network size and percentage of actual friends), and tendency to engage in Facebook relational maintenance behaviors (FRMB). Results from a sample of 472 American adults aged 65+ years revealed a set of small correlations. Minutes per day on Facebook was negatively associated with physical and environmental health. Older adults’ total Facebook network size displayed positive associations with physical, psychological, and social health; meanwhile, their percentage of actual friends on Facebook was positively related to all four dimensions of QoL. Older adults’ FRMBs were positively related to psychological, social, and environmental health.

Self‐regulation in close relationships

AbstractIn the past 20 years, greater attention has been devoted to the study of self‐regulation in an interpersonal context. This review summarize this work and presents findings on how self‐regulation processes influence close relationship outcomes. The review is organized around the four ingredients of self‐regulation (i.e., standards, monitoring, self‐regulatory capacity, and motivation). For each ingredient, we discuss their influence on relationship processes and dynamics. In the standards section, we discuss the literature on approach/avoidance, promotion/prevention, goal conflicts between partners, and interpersonal goal support. In the monitoring section, we describe how partners' monitoring of each other's goal progress affects relationships. We also highlight that research on this topic is scant. In the self‐regulatory capacity section, we discuss findings on how self‐regulatory capacity is associated with relationship maintenance behaviors. In the motivation section, we review the literature on commitment and its impact on relationship dynamics. Finally, for each ingredient, we address an important avenue for future research.

Networked gift-giving: Ethno-religious minority youths’ negotiation of status and social ties in a society of distrust

The reciprocal exchanges of messages, likes, and pictures on social media are typical expressions of mobile youth culture. After all, it is well-established that young people’s disclosure practices support their efforts to maintain relationships, gain autonomy, and, by large, consolidate a place in the world. What is often missing, however, is an exploration of how the specific socio-cultural contexts of ethno-religious minority youths shape and are shaped by social media appropriations. Therefore, we conducted a 15-month ethnographic study among ethno-religious minority youths in which we investigated networked gift-giving practices. We stress the notion of “networked” because the results illustrate how these young people appropriate the amplified visibility of their relational maintenance behaviors on social media in order to negotiate status and social ties. We connect these findings to the concept of a “distrustful society” as the participants hold a general distrust in society due to experiences of racism and marginalization.

Shared family identity as a moderator of emerging adult sibling relationship maintenance and relational quality

ABSTRACT This study examined the influence of shared family identity on the association between emerging adult sibling use of the positivity, openness, assurances, networks, and tasks relationship maintenance behaviors and perceived relational quality. Participants were 132 undergraduate students enrolled in a variety of undergraduate communication courses at a large Mid-Atlantic university. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression analyses, it was found that shared family identity moderated the association between emerging adult sibling use of the openness relationship maintenance behavior and perceived relational quality but failed to moderate the association between emerging adult sibling use of the positivity, assurances, networks, and tasks behaviors and perceived relational quality. Future researchers should examine the influence of parental treatment on children as a way to further explore the relationship between sibling use of relationship maintenance behaviors and relational outcomes.