Couple Relationship Satisfaction Research Articles

Couple relationship satisfaction: The role of recollection of parental acceptance, self-differentiation, and spousal caregiving

The actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) was employed in this study to investigate the mediating effect self-differentiation and spousal caregiving have on the relationship between recollection of parental care and acceptance and couple satisfaction. One hundred and forty-four non-clinical couples (N = 288) in enduring relationships were recruited. Results for actor effects revealed two mediating paths whereby, among both partners, recollection of maternal (but not paternal) acceptance was associated with their self-differentiation and responsive spousal caregiving, which, in turn, were linked to their spousal relationship satisfaction. Partner effects revealed three mediating paths: for both partners, recollection of childhood maternal acceptance was associated with responsive caregiving, which, in turn, was linked with their partner’s relationship satisfaction. Interestingly, the husbands’ recollection of maternal acceptance was associated with their partners’ responsive spousal caregiving, which was linked to both spouses’ relationship satisfaction. Our results may support the theoretical assumptions regarding intergenerational continuity from perceptions of childhood via self-differentiation effecting couple caregiving to couple relationship, but only on the mother’s part.

Adult attachment, intimacy, commitment, passion in relation to satisfaction in couple relationship

Objectives. The research aimed to examine the relationship between the different types of adult attachment (secure type, anxious and avoidant type) and relationship satisfaction. Also examined the relationship between satisfaction and intimacy, commitment and passion. Sample and setting. The research sample consisted of 120 respondents, university students aged 18 to 26 years (M = 22.54, SD = 1.71). The sample consisted of 97 women and 23 men. Hypotheses. It was hypothesized that a secure adult attachment would be positively related to relationship satisfaction. On the contrary, in the case of anxious and avoidant adult attachment, a negative attitude towards relationship satisfaction was assumed. It was hypothesized that intimacy, commitment, and passion would be positively related to relationship satisfaction. Statistical analysis. Multiple linear hierarchical regression (stepwise method) was performed to verify the relations between the different types of adult attachment, intimacy, commitment, passion, and relationship satisfaction. Results. The research confirmed the relationship between adult attachment and relationship satisfaction, which was one of the main findings. Respondents who showed a secure type of adult attachment were more satisfied in a relationship than those who showed anxious or avoidant behavior. Another important finding was the relation between the love component – intimacy and couple relationship satisfaction. Study limitation. The fact that data were obtained from only one of the partners can be considered as a possible limitation of the study.

Relationship satisfaction and commitment in the transition to parenthood: A couple‐centered approach

AbstractObjectiveTo provide a more comprehensive understanding of couple relationship satisfaction, commitment, and the dynamic between the two over the transition to parenthood.BackgroundThe transition to parenthood is an ideal time to concurrently study relationship satisfaction and commitment, as this period is filled with familial transitions such as less couple time, more domestic labor, and the formation of parent–child relationships. These familial transitions require significant investments that may constrain people from leaving relationships, potentially leading to diverging relationship satisfaction and commitment trajectories.MethodWe conducted dyadic latent class growth analyses (DLCGA), assessing variability in relationship satisfaction and commitment trajectories across six time‐points (two prenatal) for 203 couples expecting their first child, through 12 months postpartum.ResultsWe identified four couple classes for relationship satisfaction and three couple classes for relationship commitment. There were 46% of couples who retained high satisfaction and commitment and another 35% of couples who retained moderately high satisfaction and high commitment. Couples reporting lower attachment avoidance, higher relational self‐expansion, and higher perceived partner commitment during pregnancy were more likely to be in classes that maintained high relationship satisfaction and commitment during the transition.ConclusionOur results contrast the prevailing narrative about relational declines during the transition to parenthood. Many couples retain high satisfaction and commitment into the first year of parenthood, with declines driven primarily by a minority of couples. Couples' commitment was particularly likely to be high and stable throughout the transition.

Assessment of the Perceived Importance of Religion in Couple Relationships in Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and the Nonreligious

Couple relationship standards (beliefs about what makes for a satisfying couple relationship) have not included standards held about religion, which is surprising given how important religion is in many parts of the world. In the current study, we developed the Importance of Religion in Couple Relationships Scale (IRCRS) with the aim of having a scale suitable for use across different cultural and religious groups. The IRCRS was administered to three samples: 354 Pakistani residents (178 females, 176 males) who identified as Muslim; 274 Thai residents (157 females, 117 males) who identified as Buddhist; and 165 Westerners (resident in Australia or the United States, 60 males, 105 females) who identified as either not religious (n = 74) or Christian (n = 91). We developed a 13-item measure with a two level structure yielding an overall importance of religion score. The items in the IRCRS had acceptable cross-cultural structural invariance in a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis of the Pakistani Muslims, Thai Buddhists, and Westerners. Pakistani Muslims endorsed IRCRS standards most strongly, Western Christians next most strongly, Thai Buddhists next, and Westerners with no religion least strongly. There were no gender differences, and only very small differences by relationship status. The IRCRS can be used in future research to investigate the association of religious relationship standards with couple relationship satisfaction and might be a useful clinical tool to assess the importance of religion to couples.

PREGNANCY RELATED ANXIETY, COUPLE RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION AND SUBJECTIVE HAPPINESS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

Purpose of the study: The main purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between pregnancy-related anxiety and couple relationship satisfaction; with the subjective happiness of pregnant women of Pakistan. Methodology: This study used a quantitative research method, and questionnaires were used for data collection from pregnant women (N = 200) of Haripur, Abbottabad, Wah Cantt, and Taxila. The statistical analyses of correlation, regression, t-test, and ANOVAs were used. Main Findings: The results indicated that pregnancy-related anxiety predicts subjective happiness of pregnant women, couple relationship satisfaction positively predicted subjective happiness of pregnant women, and couple relationship satisfaction does not moderate the relationship between pregnancy-related anxiety and subjective happiness among pregnant women. Applications of this study: The findings have theoretical and applied significance in the term allowing targeting those pregnant women who would benefit from assessment and coping with pregnancy-related anxiety. Novelty/Originality of this study: Identifying the women at risk would allow us to follow them up during their pregnancy, recognize earlier symptoms of pregnancy-related anxiety as they develop, and implement therapeutic interventions if needed, and spouse's training may also be encouraged and planed.

Positive and Negative Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Relationship Satisfaction in Male Couples.

Little is known about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and control measures on gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) couples. The goal of this study was to investigate individual-level relationship satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of 209 coupled GBMSM in the United States. We analyzed reported happiness and feelings about a relationship’s future and assessed the odds of changing relationship happiness and investment associated with pandemic-related life changes (pandemic-related employment change; COVID-19 illness; high-risk of severe illness), using logistic and multinomial logit models. Fifty-five percent of participants (N = 114) reported that their relationship happiness had not changed during the pandemic, but 30% (N = 62) reported increased relationship happiness. 25% (N = 53) reported they had become more invested in their relationship’s future during the pandemic, and only one participant reported decreased investment. The odds of increased relationship investment was significantly associated with pandemic-related employment change (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.19 [1.04, 4.61]) and increased sex during the pandemic (aOR: 4.38 [1.55, 12.41]). Those with a pandemic-related employment change also had significantly higher odds of increased relationship happiness than those without a change (aOR: 2.10 [1.01, 4.35]). COVID-19 cases that reported being at higher risk of serious COVID-19 disease had higher odds of decreased relationship happiness than high-risk non-cases (aOR: 6.58 [1.10, 39.39]). Additional research in this area is warranted to minimize the long-term impacts of the pandemic on coupled GBMSM.

The Relationship Between Pronoun Use in Couple Interactions, Attachment, and Relationship Satisfaction

Research shows pronoun use may be related to relationship factors. Our research invited 40 couples (adults mostly partnered for 2 or fewer years) to engage in a 15-min conversation after completing demographics, attachment, and relationship satisfaction measures. Romantic partners tended to use pronouns similarly. Attachment anxiety and avoidance were related to lower relationship satisfaction. Bivariate actor partner interdependence models showed when men used we pronouns, lower relationship satisfaction was reported in both partners. When men used I pronouns, women were more likely to use we pronouns. When men used you pronouns, women were more likely to use I pronouns and engage in more attachment avoidant behaviors. Findings suggest communication patterns may be interpreted differently by younger couples. Couples therapists may want to investigate communication patterns to create a new dialogue that increases relationship satisfaction and limits insecure attachment behaviors.

Exploring the Effect of Employment Instability for Relationship Satisfaction in Diverse Couples: Implications for Integrative Multi-couple Group Intervention

ABSTRACT This exploratory study examined race/ethnicity, income, and employment status (including underemployment specifically) as predictors of relational distress for members of a couple in a predominantly low-income, historically marginalized racial-ethnic (HMRE) background sample (N = 671 couples). Results of a dyadic multiple regression using structural equation modeling did not show an effect for underemployment on relational satisfaction, but effects for employment status and race differed significantly. Findings strengthen the demand for holistic and integrative approaches to multi-couple group career counseling and career development for disproportionately higher numbers of HMRE couples and families.

Trauma and Relationship Satisfaction in Treatment Seeking Couples: A Dyadic Investigation of Differentiation as a Mediator

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between interpersonal trauma history and relationship satisfaction, and the mediating effect of differentiation—the ability to balance a separate and connected sense of self—as described in Bowen’s family systems theory. Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed upon consent at an on-campus couple and family therapy clinic. Differentiation was measured by the Family Distance Regulation scale, comprised of items from the Separation-Individuation Test of Adolescence (SITA; Levine et al. in J Person Assess 50(1): 123−137, 1986. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa5001_14 ), and the Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (SCS-R; Lee et al. 2001). Results suggested that interpersonal trauma history was negatively related to level of differentiation. However, when including number of children and relationship length as control variables, differentiation was not supported as a mediator between interpersonal trauma history and relationship satisfaction. When couples present with interpersonal trauma history, it may be useful for couple and family therapists to focus on differentiation levels to encourage a balance of separateness and connectedness.

The etiology of maternal postpartum depressive symptoms: Childhood emotional maltreatment, couple relationship satisfaction, and genes.

There is a call for integrative studies examining the roles of biological and psychosocial factors and their interrelations in shaping maternal postpartum psychopathology. Using longitudinal data from 198 primiparous mothers, we tested a biopsychosocial model for the etiology of maternal postpartum depressive symptoms that integrated childhood emotional maltreatment, couple relationship satisfaction, and oxytocin and dopamine D4 receptor genes (i.e., OXTR rs53576 and DRD4). Results indicate (a) two indirect effects from childhood emotional maltreatment and DRD4 to depressive symptoms at 1 year postpartum through couple relationship satisfaction at 6 months postpartum; (b) an interactive effect between DRD4 and couple relationship satisfaction at 6 months postpartum in predicting depressive symptoms at 1 year postpartum, which is in concert with the differential susceptibility hypotheses; and (c) no mediating effects or moderating effects (after adjusting for multiple testing with Bonferroni correction) involving OXTR rs53576. Notably, all associations were identified after controlling for several key covariates (e.g., maternal prenatal depressive symptoms). Last, robustness of the currently identified interactive effect involving DRD4 was demonstrated by an extensive set of additional analyses considering the effects of rGE, G × Covariates, and/or E × Covariates. Taken altogether, this study represents one of the initial efforts for a more sophisticated portrayal of how nature and nurture forces may work in conjunction with each other to shape new mothers' psychopathology. Yet given the current modest sample size and candidate gene approach, our findings are preliminary, should be cautiously interpreted, and need to be replicated with more rigorous designs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

파트너에 대한 공감, 지각된 파트너의 공감과 커플 관계만족의 관계

파트너에 대한 공감, 지각된 파트너의 공감과 커플 관계만족의 관계

Use and Benefit of Dyadic Coping for Couple Relationship Satisfaction in Parents of Children with Autism.

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at increased risk for unsatisfying and conflict-ridden couple relationships (i.e., marital or romantic partner relationships). There is a critical need to identify the couple-level processes that contribute to this risk. The current study examined the use of dyadic coping, defined as the appraisals and behaviors that partners in relationships use and receive to manage stressors, and to examine whether dyadic coping mediated the association between parenting stress and couple relationship satisfaction in parents who have a child with ASD and in parents who do not have a child with ASD. In total, 184 couples that had a child with ASD (aged 5-12 years) and comparison group of 183 couples who have a child without a neurodevelopmental condition participated in the study. A multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that parents of children with ASD reported less positive and more negative dyadic coping than did parents in the comparison group. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated that dyadic coping mediated the association between parenting stress and couple relationship satisfaction. Findings have important implications for programs aimed at enhancing parent couple relationship in families of children with ASD.

Relationship Satisfaction in Homosexual and Heterosexual Couples: A Dyadic Model

Rooted in Huston's (2000) model of adjustment in romantic relationships, the present study examined differences in individual and relationship characteristics and the predictive value of those characteristics for relationship satisfaction, regarding four groups of participants, based on gender and sexual orientation. The sample included a total of 100 heterosexual couples and 50 male and female homosexual couples each. Of the individual characteristics, need for affect achieves significant both actor and partner effects on relationship satisfaction in all subsamples, except for heterosexual women. A personal expression of love achieves both actor and partner effects on relationship satisfaction for heterosexual and homosexual men. The partner's expression of love (actor effect) on relationship satisfaction was registered in all groups, except for homosexual men. The present study offers the possibility of integrating knowledge of the differences between heterosexual and homosexual couples in the context of the model of adjustment in romantic relationships.

Adults’ Psychosocial Functioning Through the Lens of Bowen Theory: The Role of Interparental Relationship Quality, Attachment to Parents, Differentiation of Self, and Satisfaction with Couple Relationship

Although many studies exist that analyze and reveal the relationship between early family life experiences and psychosocial functioning in adulthood, the research exploring complex models of relationships between different early life variables and adults’ psychosocial functioning are still lacking. This study aims to examine a complex mediation model based on Bowen family system theory and explore the associations among interparental relationship quality, attachment to parents, the differentiation of self, satisfaction with couple relationship, and psychosocial functioning in adulthood. A total of 905 study participants aged 18–55 (Mage = 38.49, SD = 9.46, 92% women) were recruited online to complete the following measures: Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure, Retrospective Measure on Interparental Relationship Quality, Parent Attachment Measure, Differentiation of Self Inventory, Couple Relationship Satisfaction Scale. The results provided support for Bowen theory by demonstrating that interparental relationship quality through an anxious attachment to parents has an indirect effect on the differentiation of self, which, in turn, directly and indirectly relates to adults’ psychosocial functioning through couple relationship satisfaction. The theory was also supported by the findings of this study showing that the differentiation of self has a significant predictive value for psychosocial functioning with a large effect size as well as that interparental relationship quality has a direct effect on adult children’s psychosocial functioning. These findings highlight the importance of considering the family-of-origin interactional background while analyzing adults’ psychosocial functioning.

Well-being of people diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: the role of attachment style, parental treatment and couple relationship

ABSTRACTThis study compares levels and psychosocial predictors of well-being among 73 persons diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) and 80 matched non-clinical (NC) controls. Findings show that the NC group scored higher on well-being, experiences of parental care, and couple relationship satisfaction; whereas the SSD group scored higher on both avoidant and anxious attachment styles, parental overprotection, and parental differential treatment (reporting being favored more than their siblings). Low scores on insecure attachment and parental care were key predictors of well-being among the NC group; couple relationship satisfaction mediated the association between avoidant attachment and well-being in both groups. The results warrant interventions that factor in attachment styles when patients diagnosed with SSD begin therapy that aims to improve their well-being.

Couples' catastrophizing and co-rumination: Dyadic diary study of patient fatigue after cancer.

Fatigue is a prevalent and long-lasting symptom among patients with cancer that is known to be worsened by patients' catastrophizing thoughts about their fatigue. Spouses are also burdened by patient fatigue, which may lead them to catastrophize as well. Based on the dyadic coping literature, this study hypothesized that patient and spouse catastrophizing translate into worse fatigue through co-rumination-couples' communications dwelling on the negative aspects of fatigue (H1). While maladaptive for fatigue, co-rumination also was expected to foster couple relationship satisfaction (H2). Posttreatment patients with cancer and their spouses (n = 101 dyads) completed daily diaries for 14 days. Patients reported on their momentary fatigue severity. Both couple members reported on their catastrophizing about the patients' fatigue, co-rumination, and their momentary relationship satisfaction. Multilevel structural equation modeling was applied to test within-person actor- and partner-effects between catastrophizing, co-rumination, and changes in fatigue (H1) and between co-rumination and changes in relationship satisfaction (H2). Whereas patient catastrophizing was directly related to their fatigue (b = 0.52, 95% credibility interval [CI] [0.09, 0.95]), as hypothesized, the effect of spouse catastrophizing on patient fatigue was mediated through co-rumination (indirect effect = 0.32, 95% CI [0.07, 0.60]). Unexpectedly, patient- and spouse-reported co-rumination were unrelated to both couple members' relationship satisfaction. Spouse catastrophizing contributes to patient fatigue severity through couples' ruminative communications. Co-rumination was not related to relationship satisfaction. Reducing patient and spouse catastrophizing and fostering adaptive dyadic communication in daily life could be targets for future interventions aiming to relieve fatigue in patients after completion of cancer treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Relationship Behaviors across the Transition to Parenthood

The transition to parenthood (TTP) often is associated with declines in couple relationship satisfaction. The current study evaluated changes in three relationship behaviors, namely communication, dyadic coping and relationship self-regulation, across the TTP and the association of those behaviors with relationship satisfaction. One hundred and three couples completed questionnaires twice before and three times after the birth of their first child. Prenatally, all behaviors were stable, except negative communication that declined. Postnatally, positive relationship behaviors decreased in both genders, and negative communication increased in men. Negative behaviors were associated with relationship satisfaction throughout the TTP. Furthermore, relationship self-regulation strategies and males’ negative dyadic coping prospectively predicted male relationship satisfaction, while men’s supportive dyadic coping predicted female relationship satisfaction. Enhancing positive relationship behaviors through relationship education programs might help couples successfully adjust to parenthood.

The Impact of Personality Disorders on Longitudinal Change in Relationship Satisfaction in Long-Term Married Couples.

Personality disorders (PDs) are significantly, negatively related to marital satisfaction. We examine how maladaptive personality is related to change in marital satisfaction over time utilizing data from the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network (SPAN), a longitudinal, community-based study of personality and health in older adults. Participants were assessed at baseline for PD (self-report, informant-report, and structured interview); self- and spouse-reported relationship satisfaction assessed at baseline and five follow-ups was analyzed with latent growth curve modeling. Higher levels of PD at baseline were associated with lower self and spouse relationship satisfaction at baseline. On average, satisfaction did not change significantly over the study period, but there was significant individual variability. Higher levels of schizoid PD were protective of declines in partner's perception of satisfaction. Findings suggest that partners in long-term married unions may have adapted to the presence of their own or their spouse's level of personality pathology.

Parents’ Couple Relationship, Parent-Child Relationship and Emotion Regulation among Malaysian Children

Studies have found the importance of parent couple relationship and parent child relationship in relation to children’s emotional regulation. Nevertheless, these findings are based on isolated studies which do not really reflect the extent to which each factor relates with each other as well as to their children’s emotional regulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactions between parents’ couple relationship satisfaction, parent-child relationship and children’s emotion regulation among children in Malaysia. Couple Satisfaction Index (CSI)-4 was used to measure satisfaction level in couple relationship, PACHIQ-R for parent-child relationship and Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC) for children’s emotion regulation. Cluster sampling was used to select the sample and a total of 357 parents responded to the questionnaires. The analyses have found that all variables are significantly and positively correlated with each other. In other words, the findings suggest that parent-child relationship is related to parents’ couple relationship and children’s emotional regulation is related to both of these variables.

Does Relationship Satisfaction Always Mean Satisfaction? Development of the Couple Relationship Satisfaction Scale

AbstractThis article presents the development of an instrument measuring relationship satisfaction, based on the theory that separates ‘relationship quality’ from ‘satisfaction’ concerning the semantic meaning of the concepts, and to evaluate psychometric properties of the new measure. Two studies were conducted in order to investigate the psychometric properties of the new scale, with 372 and 1,185 participants taking part in Study 1 and Study 2 respectively. Results revealed that the new scale has two-factor structure, adequate internal consistency reliability, and convergent, discriminant and known-groups validity.