Relationship Talk Research Articles

Dynamic and Daily Partner-Specific Processes of Relationship Uncertainty and Enacted Relationship Talk

Guided by relational turbulence theory (RTT), this intensive longitudinal study examined how within-person daily fluctuations in relationship uncertainty corresponded with individuals’ decisions to engage in daily enacted relationship talk. Using a person-specific approach, this study also examined how individuals’ attachment insecurity predicted within-person differences in month-long processes predicted by RTT. College-aged dating partners ( N = 202, between-person) reported their attachment proclivities in a pre-test survey and subsequently reported on their relationship uncertainty and enacted relationship talk once per day over a period of 30 consecutive days ( N = 5,240, within-person). Results indicated that on days when individuals experienced elevated relationship uncertainty, they engaged in less relationship talk than they typically did. Additionally, we found that individuals with more volatility (intraindividual variability) and inertia (day-to-day carryover) in relationship uncertainty throughout the month enacted less relationship talk on average. Finally, results indicated that attachment insecurity predicted person-specific month-long processes consistent with RTT.

(035) EndoCouples: Working with Couples Struggling with Painful Sex Due to Endometriosis

Abstract Introduction Endometriosis (endo) is a chronic gynecological illness that affects millions of women. Endo has three main symptoms that are often the trigger for diagnosis though diagnosis can only be confirmed through laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to view the organs in the abdomen and the presence of endometriosis. The third most common symptom of endometriosis after infertility and dysmenorrhea (painful periods) is dyspareunia or pain with intercourse. Presentations with dyspareunia are typically first thought to be psychological and related to instances of childhood sexual abuse, frigidity, relationship issues, or sexual inexperience without consideration of a biological impact. The majority of the medical literature on endometriosis addresses the physical impact of endometriosis and quality of life as well as infertility, but the emotional impact on the couple relationship is often overlooked and under researched. Objectives The goal of this study was to explore the specific impact of dyspareunia due to endometriosis on the intimate relationship from the lived experience of couples. Methods With this goal in mind, it was best to use a qualitative phenomenological methodology. By choosing to use a qualitative approach and a smaller sample, this study explored in-depth all the variables that each couple brings to their experiences of the same symptoms of the same chronic illness – dyspareunia due to endometriosis. Results All ten couples talked about how the dyspareunia had affected the intimate and sexual parts of their relationships in varying degrees ranging from occasional pain with penetration to the complete inability to have intercourse. The couples talked about how the pain has changed the way they have intercourse and the learning curve they have experienced in continuing to try to have a fulfilling sexual relationship. Conclusions Couples with dyspareunia due to endometriosis are not all destined to a relationship without sex or intimacy. Relationship talk, creativity, alternatives to intercourse, and communication about boundaries during sex have provided these couples with opportunities to intimately connect. These couples demonstrate examples of resilience and exhibit skills to be incorporated in developing a therapeutic treatment model for couples with endo. Disclosure No.

Attachment avoidance and anxiety impacting dyadic coping and communication in patients with metastatic sarcoma and their family caregivers.

e24002 Background: In research, how people act in close relationships is described as “attachment styles” which are composed of multiple attachment style dimensions (ASDs). Attachment avoidance is characterized by the need to isolate from the relationship (i.e. withdrawing and increased independence) while attachment anxiety is defined as needing reassurance and higher dependence. These two insecure ASDs are correlated with reduced quality of life for cancer patients (PT) and the family caregivers (CG). In ovarian cancer, PT and CG ASDs were correlated to dyadic coping, however 27% of PTs were disease-free. Attachment insecurity may be exacerbated by active treatment and uncertain prognosis. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between ASDs, and CG and PT reported dyadic coping and illness-specific communication. Methods: Metastatic sarcoma PTs and their CGs were recruited prospectively for a longitudinal, survey study investigating dyadic coping at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center from Feb. 2022 – Dec. 2022. Participation rate for eligible PTs was 42% and 68% for CGs. Results are of participants who identified as intimate partners (individuals and dyads were allowed to participate). Attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety were measured via Relationship Structures Questionnaire. Dyadic coping and communication were measured via Dyadic Coping Inventory and Illness-Specific Relationship Talk (ISRT), respectively. Results: Sixty-nine participants enrolled: 43 PTs and 26 CGs (25 dyads). Participants were primarily non-Hispanic and white (91% PTs; 85% CG) with mean age 64 years ( SD= 13.1; range = 26-89). 61% of PTs identified as men; 60% of CGs identified as women. CGs with attachment anxiety were more likely to report worse coping and less ISRT, while PTs with attachment anxiety were more likely to report only worse coping (See Table 1). However, PTs with attachment avoidance were more likely to report both worse coping and ISRT. Conclusions: Advance cancer PTs and their CGs with insecure ASDs report worse coping and communication. Screening for insecure ASDs may identify PTs and CGs who would benefit from supportive care, including psychotherapy. Future research should investigate this in a larger, more heterogenous population at earlier in the rare cancer trajectory and the effect of ASDs on PT, CG, and clinician communication. [Table: see text]

“Some days are much holier than others”: Relational uncertainty and partner influence in Christian dating couples' sexual intimacy negotiation

AbstractWhen intrafaith couples' religion strictly prohibits premarital sexual intercourse, negotiating sexual intimacy can become a multilayered process of identity negotiation that compounds the difficulty of sexual communication. Through the lens of relational turbulence theory, this study explored how devout Christian couples negotiate sexual intimacy by reanalyzing qualitative interview data the first author collected in 2017 from 16 self‐identified Christians (8 heterosexual couples). Seven themes revealed how relational uncertainty, partner interference, and partner facilitation manifested in the context of sexual intimacy negotiation. Themes of relational uncertainty experience and prevention included assumption of shared values, relationship talk, and sexual behaviors as an uncertainty catalyst. Partner facilitation and interference emerged as themes of sexual escalation and de‐escalation including snowball effect, pinpointing underlying motivations for boundary violations, gatekeeping sexual temptation, and drawing from shared values of sacrifice and prayer. These interpretive findings advance the literature on relational turbulence theory and provide Christian dating couples with practical advice for how to negotiate sexual intimacy in committed premarital 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.

Interdisciplinary simulation for nursing and medical students about final conversations: Catalyzing relationships at the end of life (CAREol)

Final conversations (FCs) go beyond how patients want to be cared for at the end of life (EOL) and focus on messages of love, identity specific, and unique to an individual and relationship that requires self-examination, everyday talk that normalizes a difficult situation, religious/spiritual messages, and if needed, difficult relationship talk to heal broken relationships. The purpose of the Catalyzing Relationships at the End of Life (CAREol) program was to provide interdisciplinary education to nursing and medical students and clinical faculty about facilitating FCs among patients and families. This two-part, quasi-experimental program consisted of a cognitive (online) and experiential (live simulation) curriculum experience. Program curriculum, including video vignettes, readings, and live simulation (utilizing actors), was developed by the study team. Reflective journaling and researcher designed pre- and post-tests were used to assess comfort, confidence, importance, and distress regarding FCs and collaboration with other disciplines. The pre-/post-test questions demonstrate statistical significance based on a paired t-test with effect sizes supporting the practical importance of the findings for effect size. Preliminary content and thematic analysis of qualitative responses describe categories of the mock team meeting experience and interaction with the actors to change patient and family outcomes. Early intervention with the CAREol program provides a framework to help students and clinical faculty facilitate FCs that may result in peace and comfort for patients and families during a difficult time.

Relationship Talk in Cyclical and Non-Cyclical Relationships: Applying the Theory of Motivated Information Management

This study employed the Theory of Motivated Information Management (TMIM) to understand romantic partners’ relationship talk in couples that vary in relational uncertainty: cyclical (on-again/off-again) and non-cyclical. Despite differing on most individual TMIM variables, the model operated similarly for both relationship types. Negative emotions about discrepancies in desired relationship information were associated with less efficacy, and efficacy and outcome expectancies were linked with relationship talk. We additionally included motivated ambiguity regarding relationship status in the model, which played a stronger role for non-cyclical partners. Findings generally suggested that differences by relationship type occurred in the initial phases of the model.

Relationship Talk With Partners and Friends During Emerging Adulthood: The Role of Relationship Satisfaction

Research indicates that discussing one’s romantic relationship with one’s partner benefits individual well-being and reduces uncertainty about the future of the relationship. Implications of relationship talk with friends remain less clear, though talking with friends may actually increase uncertainty about the relationship (e.g., by making one’s partner jealous of these friends), particularly for emerging adults. Relationship talk with friends may be especially likely to promote relational uncertainty for couples who are already unsatisfied in their relationships. In this study, we explored whether relationship talk with one’s partner and one’s friends would each be uniquely associated with depressive symptoms and uncertainty about the relationship, specifically in the form of perceived partner jealousy of one’s friends and whether these associations would be moderated by relationship satisfaction. Results from a series of path models using data from 202 romantically involved emerging adults in the United States revealed that associations between relationship talk and outcomes were indeed moderated by relationship satisfaction. For example, only in unsatisfied relationships was relationship talk with friends positively associated with a partner's jealousy and negatively associated with depressive symptoms. This research expands our understanding of relationship talk by differentiating between talk with partners versus friends, while considering the contextual role of relationship satisfaction.

Does it matter whether we or I talk aboutus? Distinguishing we-talk in couples’ conflict discussions and partners’ private thoughts before and after conflict

According to extensive evidence, we-talk—couples’ use of first-person, plural pronouns—predicts better relationship quality and well-being. However, prior work has not distinguished we-talk by its context, which varies widely across studies. Also, little is known about we-talk’s consistency over time. To assess the stability and correlates of we-talk in private versus conversational contexts, 43 married couples’ language was captured during a marital problem discussion and in each partner’s privately recorded thoughts before and after conflict. Participants were asked to describe any current thoughts and feelings in the baseline thought-listing and to focus on their reaction to the conflict itself in the post-conflict sample. Couples repeated this protocol at a second study visit, approximately 1 month later. We-talk in baseline and post-conflict thought-listings was largely uncorrelated with we-talk during conflict discussions, but each form of we-talk was consistent between the two study visits. Their correlates were also distinct: more we-talk during conflict was associated with less hostility during conflict, whereas more baseline we-talk predicted greater closeness in both partners, as well as lower vocally encoded arousal and more positive emotion word use in partners after conflict. These novel data reveal that we-talk can be meaningfully distinguished by its context—whether language is sampled from private thoughts or marital discussions, and whether the study procedure requests relationship talk. Taken together, these variants of we-talk may have unique implications for relationship function and well-being.

Does Talking at the End of Life Matter?: Exploring the Associations between Final Conversations (Fcs) and Coping Strategies

ABSTRACT The purpose of this investigation was to quantitatively examine associations between retrospectively recalled final conversations (FCs) with the outcome of coping strategies. Two-hundred thirty-six individuals participated in an online survey. Correlations revealed significant, positive associations between the FCs factors with coping strategies. Moreover, multiple regressions revealed the following: messages of identity significantly predicted positive reappraisal and cognitive monitoring; difficult relationship talk significantly predicted self and other distancing; and, messages of spirituality significantly predicted the use of faith as a coping tool. Overall, results suggest that retrospectively recalled engagement in FCs are associated with coping strategies after the death of a relational partner. Theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Socialization processes within adolescents' relationships with parents and peers predicting couples' intimate partner violence in adulthood: A social learning perspective.

Previous studies have established that individual characteristics such as violent behavior, substance use, and high-risk sexual behavior, as well as negative relationships with parents and friends, are all risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV). In this longitudinal prospective study, we investigated whether violent behavior, substance use, and high-risk sexual behavior in early adulthood (ages 22-23 years) mediated the link between family conflict and coercive relationship talk with friends in adolescence (ages 16-17 years) and dyadic IPV in adulthood (ages 28-30 years). A total of 998 individuals participated in multimethod assessments, including observations of interactions with parents and friends. Data from multiple reporters were used for variables of interest including court records, parental and self-reports of violence, self-reports of high-sexual-risk behaviors and substance use, and self- and romantic partner-reports of IPV. Longitudinal mediation analyses showed that violent behavior during early adulthood mediated the link between coercive relationship talk with friends in adolescence and dyadic IPV in adulthood. No other mediation paths were found and there was no evidence of gender differences. Results are discussed with attention to the interpersonal socialization processes by which IPV emerges relative to individual risk factors.

Exploring the Connection Between End-of-Life Relational Communication and Personal Growth After the Death of a Loved One.

The purpose of the current investigation was to examine associations between final conversations (FCs; i.e., relational communication with a terminally ill individual from the moment of terminal diagnosis to death) with the outcome of personal growth (PG). A total of 236 individuals who had previously engaged in FCs with a deceased loved one participated in an online survey. Analyses revealed significant, positive associations between the six FCs factors (i.e., messages of love, messages of spirituality/religion, messages of identity, everyday talk and routine interactions, difficult relationship talk, and instrumental death talk) with the PG factors. Implications are discussed along with limitations and future directions.

Accounts and Attributions Following Marital Infidelity

Twenty-five individuals who had experienced infidelity in their marriage were interviewed to determine the relationship between the account, attribution, and outcome of the infidelity for the marriage. Denial, although typically considered an aggravating account, was often used initially by transgressors who were motivated to save their marriage. However, concessions proved to be the account most preferred by victims. Beyond a concession, relationship talk and remedial work appeared to largely impact whether the relationship was salvaged or terminated.

Behind closed doors: How advanced cancer couples communicate at home

Objective: Describe communication between patients with advanced cancer and their spouse/partner caregivers. Design: Prospective observational study. Sample: 83 advanced cancer patient–spouse caregiver couples.Methods: Couples completed surveys and recorded naturalistic communication for one day. Descriptive analysis was performed on self-report and observational communication data.Findings: Both patients and caregivers self-reported high likelihood of engaging in positive interactions. The majority of observed communication was logistical or social small-talk. Cancer and relationship talk was highly skewed; many couples had no talk in these domains.Conclusion: This study is one of the first to assess continuous naturalistic observation of communication in the homes of couples coping with advanced cancer. We found that routine aspects of daily life continue even when couples are facing important challenges.Implications for Psychosocial Providers: There appear to be few naturalistic cues encouraging couples to discuss potentially difficult topics. More work is needed to determine appropriate levels of communication.

Testing the impact of sliding versus deciding in cyclical and noncyclical relationships

AbstractThis study investigates longitudinally predictors and outcomes of sliding (a desire to avoid clarifying the status of a romantic relationship; measured as relationship talk avoidance) among emerging adults (N = 244) in cyclical (ending and renewing a relationship) and noncyclical romantic relationships. Avoidance of relationship talk was positively associated with relationship uncertainty 7 weeks earlier and negatively related to dedication and satisfaction 7 weeks later, through decreased relationship maintenance (measured by constructive communication). We hypothesized that sliding would both predict and be predicted by lower dedication. Dedication did not predict later sliding for cyclical partners, but was associated with lower sliding for noncyclical partners, suggesting dedication may buffer the negative impact of uncertainty for noncycling partners.

Predicting sexual coercion in early adulthood: The transaction among maltreatment, gang affiliation, and adolescent socialization of coercive relationship norms.

This study tested a transactional hypothesis predicting early adult sexual coercion from family maltreatment, early adolescent gang affiliation, and socialization of adolescent friendships that support coercive relationship norms. The longitudinal study of a community sample of 998 11-year-olds was intensively assessed in early and middle adolescence and followed to 23-24 years of age. At age 16-17 youth were videotaped with a friend, and their interactions were coded for coercive relationship talk. Structural equation modeling revealed that maltreatment predicted gang affiliation during early adolescence. Both maltreatment and gang affiliation strongly predicted adolescent sexual promiscuity and coercive relationship norms with friends at age 16-17 years. Adolescent sexual promiscuity, however, did not predict sexual coercion in early adulthood. In contrast, higher levels of observed coercive relationship talk with a friend predicted sexual coercion in early adulthood for both males and females. These findings suggest that peers have a socialization function in the development of norms prognostic of sexual coercion, and the need to consider peers in the promotion of healthy relationships.

Relationship partners have shared scripts for conversations about the relationship: A replication and extension

The first experimental study of relationship talk (N = 42 couples) showed that when couples read stories about spouses who talked to each other about their relationships, such talk had different outcomes for the spouses, depending on the context and which partner was speaking. We replicated and improved upon this study in a number of ways (e.g. sample size and composition, new dependent variable, more standardized materials, more sophisticated and appropriate statistical techniques). Findings were almost identical to those of the earlier study including three-way interactions. Results (N = 238 couples) showed that when spouses talked about their relationship with each other, they were seen to have more positive outcomes, including closeness, than when they did not talk about their relationship. Further, relationship talk appeared to be especially positive in conflictive situations, but the effects of such talk were much weaker in pleasant situations. These findings were conceptualized as evidence of share...

Shame, guilt, and communication in lung cancer patients and their partners.

Lung cancer patients report the highest distress levels of all cancer groups. In addition to poor prognosis, the self-blame and stigma associated with smoking might partially account for that distress and prevent patients from requesting help and communicating with their partners. The present study used innovative methods to investigate potential links of shame and guilt in lung cancer recovery with distress and marital adjustment. A specific emphasis was an examination of the impact of shame on partner communication. Lung cancer patients (n = 8) and their partners (n = 8) completed questionnaires and interviews that were videotaped. We report descriptive statistics and Spearman correlations between shame and guilt, relationship talk, marital satisfaction, distress, and smoking status. We coded the interviews for nonverbal expressions of shame. Greater self-reported shame was associated with decreased relationship-talk frequency and marital satisfaction, and with increased depression and smoking behaviour. Nonverbal shame behaviour also correlated with higher depression and increased smoking behaviour. Guilt results were more mixed. More recent smoking behaviour also correlated with higher depression. At a time when lung cancer patients often do not request help for distress, possibly because of shame, our preliminary study suggests that shame can also disrupt important partner relationships and might prevent patients from disclosing to physicians their need for psychosocial intervention and might increase their social isolation. Even if patients cannot verbally disclose their distress, nonverbal cues could potentially give clinicians an opportunity to intervene.

Creating the Final Conversations Scale: A Measure of End-of-Life Relational Communication with Terminally Ill Individuals

Final conversations (FCs) are defined as the communicative interactions, both verbal and nonverbal, that occur between terminally ill patients and relational partners. In this study, the “Final Conversations Scale” was developed and tested. A total of 152 participants that had engaged in final conversations with individuals that were terminally ill completed the newly developed instrument. Factor analysis produced a five-factor structure, including: messages of spirituality/religion; expressions of love; proactive difficult relationship talk; everyday communication; and talk about illness/death. Participants' perceptions of the relational closeness and difficulty with the deceased significantly influenced the individuals' recalled frequency of FCs messages. Practical and scholarly implications focus on the needs of the family members regarding their communication with terminally ill individuals, as well as directions for future research with the FCs Scale.

Cancer-specific Relationship Awareness, Relationship Communication, and Intimacy Among Couples Coping with Early Stage Breast Cancer.

If couples can maintain normalcy and quality in their relationship during the cancer experience, they may experience greater relational intimacy. Cancer-specific relationship awareness, which is an attitude defined as partners focusing on the relationship and thinking about how they might maintain normalcy and cope with cancer as a couple or "team", is one factor that may help couples achieve this goal. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between cancer-specific relationship awareness, cancer-specific communication (i.e., talking about cancer's impact on the relationship, disclosure, and responsiveness to partner disclosure), and relationship intimacy and evaluate whether relationship communication mediated the association between relationship awareness and intimacy. Two hundred fifty four women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and their partners completed measures of cancer-specific relationship awareness, relationship talk, self-and perceived partner disclosure, perceived partner responsiveness, and relationship intimacy. Results indicated that patients and spouses who were higher in cancer-specific relationship awareness engaged in more relationship talk, reported higher levels of self-disclosure, and perceived that their partner disclosed more. Their partners reported that they were more responsive to disclosures. Relationship talk and perceived partner responsiveness mediated the association between cancer-specific relationship awareness and intimacy. Helping couples consider ways they can maintain normalcy and quality during the cancer experience and framing coping with cancer as a "team" effort may facilitate better communication and ultimately enhance relationship intimacy.