ABSTRACT Money, power, and mental health are highly interrelated in romantic unions. To further extend the literature, we integrated the family stress model and feminist perspective as theoretical frameworks. Three‐wave, dyadic data were collected from 1093 U.S. different‐gender couples before, during, and after the COVID‐19 pandemic (a period marked as heightened economic and social inequality). By conducting a Random‐Intercept, Actor‐Partner Interdependence, Cross‐lagged Panel Model (RI‐APIM‐CLPM), we first investigated how changes in husbands' and wives' financial distress, power distribution, and depressive symptoms beget future changes in one another across time. Then, we tested the moderating roles of income‐to‐need ratios. Two major patterns emerged. First, across the whole sample, husbands' increased depressive symptoms predicted wives' increased powerlessness. Second, only in financially disadvantaged families, husbands' increased power equity predicted wives' decreased depressive symptoms; husbands' increased depressive symptoms predicted wives' increased financial distress. Collectively, our analyses highlighted the necessity of addressing depressive symptoms and power distributions in preventing the downward spiral that was more often experienced in low‐income households. Such findings can be informative in the context of global economic adversity today.
ABSTRACT Individuals not in romantic relationships (i.e., singles) represent an emerging focus in close relationship research. Gender has been recognized as an important demographic variable in understanding singles' experiences, with some existing Western literature suggesting that single women report higher levels of well‐being than single men. However, the cross‐cultural generalizability of these findings remains unclear, such as in Eastern contexts like China. China presents a compelling case for examining these gender differences due to its unique tension between traditional Confucian values that link female worth to marriage and an evolving societal shift toward individualism. As such, the present study recruited 1629 Chinese‐speaking never‐married singles ( M age = 29.41 years) via Credamo , a nationally representative data platform, and assessed multiple dimensions of well‐being. Results indicated that single women reported higher well‐being than single men, showing greater life satisfaction, relationship status satisfaction, lower desire for a partner, and fear of being single, but no differences in family satisfaction. Further analyses revealed that these gender differences remained largely robust across age, urbanization, and geographical regions. Overall, these data suggest the potential that there are culturally universal patterns in the relation between gender and singles' well‐being, whereby women are happier single than men.
ABSTRACT Previous research has consistently identified a negative association between the experience of partner phubbing and individuals' life satisfaction. However, limited attention has been given to the contextual factors that may intensify or mitigate these impacts. Grounded in relative deprivation theory, this study examines how a partner's family performance moderates the effects of partner phubbing on focal employees' life satisfaction and proactive behavior at work. We hypothesize that personal relative deprivation mediates the impacts of partner phubbing on the deterioration of life satisfaction and proactive behavior at work. Furthermore, these negative effects are expected to be buffered when partners exhibit high levels of family performance. We tested our model using an experience sampling method with a daily diary design, collecting 728 within‐person data points from 84 employees. Results from hierarchical linear modeling revealed that partner phubbing indirectly impaired focal employees' life satisfaction and proactive behavior at work through relative deprivation. This negative indirect effect was less pronounced when partners' family performance was high compared to when it was low. These findings contribute to the literature by extending relative deprivation theory to the family–work interface and empirically demonstrating how positive family dynamics can mitigate the cross‐domain detriments of digital incivility.
ABSTRACT Shared reality, the experience of a perceived commonality of inner states, is hypothesized to play a central role in romantic relationships. Shared reality can be established within intimate relationships through engagement in shared practices. One common practice among romantic couples is watching TV together; however, how this activity relates to partners' shared reality has not been documented. The current study examined the effects of shared TV watching on daily shared reality construction among intimate partners, using dyadic daily diaries ( N days = 21, N couples = 84). We found that daily shared TV watching was associated with a greater experience of shared reality. This association was stronger when couples communicated with each other after (but not during) watching. In contrast, shared reality was not associated with the extent to which the watching experience was reported as emotionally intensive.
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to delve into the nuanced and subjective experiences of married couples at various family life cycles regarding relational sacrifices within the cultural landscape of Türkiye. To accomplish this, we conducted a qualitative study with 16 Turkish married couples, addressing three research questions: “How do married individuals perceive their and their spouses' relational sacrifices?”, “What are the sacrifice behaviors and motives of married couples?” and “What are the consequences of relational sacrifices for spouses and their marriage?” We conducted a thematic analysis using a codebook approach with MAXQDA. We identified seven themes: Assigning meaning to sacrifice, engaging in sacrifices across life domains, reflecting on the underlying motives for sacrifices, being seen or unseen in sacrifices, experiencing the benefits of sacrifices, experiencing the costs of sacrifices, and inheriting cultural and familial sacrifices. We concluded that personal attributions, inherited family values, societal norms, and cultural characteristics shape individuals' understanding and practice of relational sacrifices. We also highlighted that some sacrifices may go unrecognized and can be perceived as burdensome despite their benefits. This study contributes to the understanding of relationships in a non‐WEIRD context, offering a more inclusive and culturally informed perspective on relational sacrifices.
ABSTRACT In dyadic daily life research, one is interested in how dyads navigate daily life events. A challenge in such research is how to make sure that dyad members report on the same events. We propose a novel open question design in which one dyad partner concisely describes an event; afterwards this description is automatically sent to the other partner by the data collection software. We tested the feasibility of this novel design in a three‐week daily diary study in 107 romantic couples. Each day, one partner was asked to concisely describe the most negative event of that day that involved both partners and to rate the negativity of this event on a 0–100 scale. Next, the other partner was prompted with this event description and asked to rate recognition and their experienced negativity. The couple‐wise compliance (i.e., both partners completed the diary) was high ( M = 89%). Partners recognized 97% of the events described by their partner. The experience of the chosen events was moderately negative with a higher intensity for the senders ( M = 41.10) than for the receivers ( M = 32.98). Overall, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of this method to report on shared daily life events.
ABSTRACT All trusting relationships come with a risk: that of experiencing betrayal. Most of the existing research, however, has focused on the perspective of the trustor—the person who was betrayed. In contrast, the perspective of the trustee, or betrayer, has largely been overlooked. This oversight leaves a gap in the psychological understanding of the reasons and circumstances that can lead a person to betray their close ones. This paper contributes to addressing this gap. Building on the betrayal narrative procedure, we collected more than 1100 betrayal narratives from the point of view of the betrayer, among community participants and university students across three languages and five countries (France, Germany, Switzerland, the USA, the UK). We provide here an analysis of these narratives, investigating the typology of betrayal as well as the type of relationship, behavioral response of the person betrayed, and causal attributions offered by the betrayer. Our results highlight a variety of types of betrayal and of relationships in which these occur. They also illustrate the different developments of such incidents, ranging from forgiving to cutting ties or taking revenge. As such, these results contribute to developing a better typology of betrayal in personal relationships.
ABSTRACT Drawing on Uses and Gratifications Theory, this study investigates the link between social media self‐disclosure and self‐presentation and perceived interpersonal benefits. Whereas self‐disclosure involves communicating personal facts, self‐presentation describes selectively using self‐enhancing information to influence others' impressions. We conducted a cross‐sectional survey with participants from Brazil ( n = 216) and Indonesia ( n = 227), examining whether findings from predominantly individualistic samples generalize to collectivistic contexts. Taking the novel approach of considering self‐presentation and self‐disclosure simultaneously, we aimed to clarify their distinct contributions. Both were positively associated with perceived interpersonal outcomes: relationship maintenance, initiation, closeness, attention, validation, popularity, social support. An exploratory examination of behavioral dimensions (e.g., valence, honesty, intimacy) revealed further nuances and highlighted conceptual differences between the two. Our study extends previous literature by replicating findings in collectivistic contexts and furthers understanding of how social media behaviors support interpersonal goals.
ABSTRACT Self‐control determines well‐being in individuals, but also plays an important role in close relationships. However, only few studies investigated self‐control in dyads before. Therefore, from a dyadic perspective, our study aims at better understanding how average levels and differences in two relationship partners' self‐control are related to their personal and relational well‐being in daily life. We evaluate three competing accounts, positing that well‐being in couples might be highest when both partners exhibit (1) complementing (great partner differences), (2) similar (small partner differences), or (3) overall higher levels (high partner averages) of self‐control. To evaluate these hypotheses, 53 mixed‐gender couples ( M age = 24.29 years) individually completed daily diaries across 21 days. Multilevel dyadic score modeling largely showed evidence for Hypothesis 3 (totality): High partner averages in self‐control were related to more positive affect between and within couples, less negative affect and higher overall relationship quality between couples, and more life satisfaction within couples. However, similarity (i.e., Hypothesis 2) in self‐control was related to more closeness within couples. Together, our findings underline the importance of considering different levels of analyses (i.e., individual vs. dyad, between‐couple vs. within‐couple, global vs. specific assessments of psychosocial functioning) when studying self‐control in close relationships.
ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors (i.e., financial damage due to the pandemic, exposure to COVID‐19, and prior stressful life events), and family‐related protective factors (i.e., cohesion and flexibility) on marital, parental, and financial stress experienced by married heterosexual Palestinians in Israel during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A total of 480 participants completed self‐report questionnaires. A structural equation model examined the predictors of marital, parental, and financial stress. Notable differences were seen between predictors of marital and parental stress and those of financial stress. Marital and parental stress were primarily predicted by protective factors, mainly family coherence, whereas risk factors and sociodemographic characteristics predicted these outcomes only to a lesser extent. For financial stress, risk factors, particularly financial damage related to COVID‐19 and prior stressful life events, were the primary predictors. It therefore appears that during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and potentially in other crises, better family functioning reduced marital and parental stress. However, this effect did not extend to financial stress, although protective factors contributed to its reduction to some extent. Given that family cohesion plays a more significant role in resilience compared to flexibility in a collectivist society, culturally sensitive interventions focusing on strengthening family cohesion are essential.
ABSTRACT Assessing relationship satisfaction—as an outcome, predictor, or control variable—is almost mandatory in studies on romantic relationships. This research was aimed at testing the psychometric properties of the German version of the Couple Satisfaction Index‐4 (GCSI‐4) by obtaining validity evidence based on internal structure, measurement invariance, and relationships with other variables. Data from five samples ( N total = 1526), including individuals and couples in romantic relationships of diverse sexual orientations, were analyzed. Across samples, we found excellent model fit in confirmatory factor analyses, high reliabilities, and good evidence for convergent and discriminant validity. Further, the scale scores were measurement invariant across gender and sexual orientation. Nomological validity was supported by examining intrapersonal and interpersonal links with 43 constructs, ranging from self‐related dispositions, relational beliefs, love and well‐being, influence and coercive decision‐making, as well as relationship behaviors. Criterion validity was demonstrated through negative links with conflict frequency and intentions to engage in infidelity. Altogether, these findings support the good psychometric properties of the GCSI‐4 and broaden the validity testing of the CSI in general. We encourage researchers to adopt the GCSI‐4 as a reliable and valid instrument for assessing relationship satisfaction in German‐speaking samples.
Do people have their psychological needs fulfilled uniformly or unevenly within romantic relationships? We measured fulfillment of seven psychological needs and used latent profile analysis to identify potential heterogeneity in need fulfillment (NF) across two convenience samples: a sample of dating college students (Study 1: N = 688) and a sample of cohabiting participants recruited from Prolific (Study 2: N = 294). Five profiles consistently emerged: low fulfillment of all needs except independence (independence NF driven); greater fulfillment of personal needs than relational needs (personal NF driven); greater fulfillment of relational needs than personal needs (relational NF driven); moderate fulfillment of all needs (moderate NF); and high fulfillment of all needs (high NF). All these profiles differed from one another in relationship commitment and satisfaction, except that the personal NF driven profile was not significantly different from the relational NF profile in commitment in both studies and in relationship satisfaction in Study 2. The current research introduces a novel use of a person-centered approach to advance understanding of individual differences in need fulfillment in romantic relationships.
Regulatory focus, a person's approach to pursuing gains and avoiding hazards, has been mostly linked to self-regulatory processes, leaving the related interpersonal mechanisms poorly understood. We tested hypotheses on the association between regulatory focus and dyadic empathy-the empathic tendencies between romantically involved partners-and relationship satisfaction. Two hundred and twenty-seven Greek couples reported on promotion and prevention regulatory goals, dyadic empathic concern and perspective taking, and relationship satisfaction. Results from initial Actor-Partner Interdependence Models found that promotion focus was positively related to actors' empathic concern and perspective taking toward the other, as well as partners' empathic concern and higher actor relationship satisfaction. Results from Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Models indicated that partners' empathic concern and perspective taking separately mediated the relationship between promotion focus and relationship satisfaction, with varying patterns of actor and partner indirect effects for each mediator. Prevention focus was not associated with either empathic concern or perspective taking but was negatively associated with both actors' and partners' relationship satisfaction. The findings shed light on the interpersonal processes through which regulatory focus is linked to the relationship functioning in romantic relationships.
We examined whether individual differences related to a sense of choice in being single-ranging from broad psychological needs to contextualized relationship motivations-explain variability in single people's well-being. In a sample of 445 single adults (Mage = 52.91, Msinglehood = 20.43 years) recruited from Qualtrics, we tested whether basic need satisfaction, attachment orientation, sociosexuality, and reasons for being single (low capacity for courtship, freedom, previous constraints, and personal constraints) were associated with well-being. Results for need satisfaction and attachment replicated in a pooled sample, including 545 younger singles (Mage = 18.87, Msinglehood = 7.87 years) from a university subject pool. Satisfying basic needs was consistently linked to greater life satisfaction, singlehood satisfaction, and fewer depressive symptoms; attachment anxiety predicted more depressive symptoms and lower singlehood satisfaction (the latter in the pooled sample). Sociosexuality did not predict outcomes beyond basic need satisfaction and attachment. Valuing personal freedom predicted higher satisfaction, whereas perceiving constraints from previous relationships predicted greater depressive symptoms. These findings demonstrate that individual differences related to choice at different levels of specificity provide incremental validity: one who generally feels autonomous may still benefit from secure attachment and valuing their singlehood. Findings underscore integrating general and contextualized predictors to understand single people's well-being.
Although romantic relationships are often idealized, many individuals find satisfaction in being single. Evidence shows social networks influence commitment within romantic relationships-with network approval being a boon, and disapproval a detractor-but whether this social network effect extends to commitment to being single remains unclear. This study examined whether perceived approval from parents and friends predicts commitment to singlehood and fear of being single, and if associations differ according to one's sexual orientation. Single US adults (N = 501, 47% women, 50% White) identifying as heterosexual (n = 256) and sexually diverse (e.g., gay, pansexual; n = 245) completed an online survey assessing aspects of singlehood. Network approval-especially from friends-is related to higher commitment and lower fear. After including covariates, approval was no longer associated with commitment or fear in either group. Combining heterosexual and sexually diverse participants, parent and friend approval remained significant predictors of lower fear, even after covariates were included. Subjective norms, calculated as opinions weighted by motivation to comply, showed little consistency in their associations. Approval from friends appears especially important for sexually diverse singles, who may rely more on their chosen family for social support. Findings extend understanding of the nuanced nature of the social network effect when applied to singlehood.
Drawing on the complementarity perspective of romantic attraction, we examined dyadic initial attraction in a speed-dating context among individuals characterized by light and dark personality traits. As hypothesized, analyses of dating success, involving over 1.400 heterosexual dates with 128 participants, showed that Machiavellianism was negatively related to dating success, and this relationship significantly interacted with the light triad personality traits exhibited by their dating partners. Although individuals with light personalities were not especially attracted to partners scoring high on Machiavellianism, they did not dislike them as strongly as others did. The same data pattern was found for sadism. In contrast, narcissism and psychopathy were not related to dating success, and light triad personality traits did not moderate these relationships. This pattern suggests that individuals with light personalities are less likely to reject those who are generally rejected by others. These results illuminate the dynamics of the early stages of dating, raising the question of whether individuals with light personalities deliberately give partners who are generally rejected a chance, or whether they simply fail to recognize their partners' Machiavellian and sadistic traits.
Cognitive jealousy, which involves thoughts and suspicions of a partner's infidelity, is linked to various negative outcomes. Yet, little is known about how it fluctuates over time or across different relationships. This longitudinal study examined 891 young, unmarried adults in romantic relationships over 5 years (11 assessment points), capturing 1507 total relationships. About 42% of participants reported being in more than one relationship during the study period. The study examined how cognitive jealousy varies within individuals, across different relationships, in relation to individual traits such as neuroticism, attachment anxiety, and gender, and in relation to experiences of extradyadic sexual involvement (either self- or partner-reported). Results showed that while 28.2% of the variance in cognitive jealousy was due to differences between individuals, the largest proportion (39.8%) was due to differences between relationships. Within a particular relationship, initial levels of cognitive jealousy remained relatively stable over time. Higher levels of neuroticism, attachment anxiety, and experiences of extradyadic sexual involvement (both self- and partner-reported) were associated with greater cognitive jealousy. Men reported higher initial levels of cognitive jealousy than women. These findings suggest that relationship-specific dynamics as well as individual differences play a crucial role in the experience of cognitive jealousy.
This study employs attribution theory to examine how adult daughters from low-income backgrounds perceive and manage low-quality daughter-mother relationships. Using in-depth interviews and flexible coding, we analyzed how daughters (n = 42) attribute locus, responsibility, specificity, and stability. Daughters often located control internally within their mothers, citing enduring traits as sources of conflict while noting external influences such as trauma or substance abuse. Responsibility was frequently self-assumed despite blaming mothers, positioning attribution as a means of asserting agency. Many saw their relationships as uniquely difficult and consistent, reinforcing perceptions of stability and specificity. Our study extends attribution theory to long-term family bonds, portraying adult daughters as active agents in meaning-making across the life course.
Attitudes toward singlehood have been operationally and methodologically framed in different ways, with some focused on desire for relational pursuit, some on satisfaction or contentment with singlehood, and others focused on negative affect or experiences associated with singlehood. The present research explores whether measures such as fear of being single (FOBS), desire for a relationship (DFR), and satisfaction with relationship status (SWRS) represent distinct perspectives associated with singlehood experiences or, conversely, a general attitude toward relationship status. In two samples of singles (N-1A = 172, N-1B = 257), the three measures loaded onto distinct factors. Exploratory analyses revealed distinct associations with well-being, relationship pursuit tendencies, and perceived rewards/costs of singlehood and relationships. Results suggest that unique experiences of singlehood and relationships associated with FOBS, DFR, and SWRS reflect distinct motivational underpinnings. Careful consideration of research goals and implications should be used when selecting different operational and methodological framings of attitudes toward relationship status.
LGB people have historical and contemporary experiences of discrimination, stigma, and violence. Research on social groups suggests that norms, rules, and expectations for group conduct emerge to provide responses to group threats, for example, oppression of LGB individuals, and arise from cultural expectations and agreements between partners. While previous research demonstrated that norm content , specific rules, and expectations in relationships established by LGB people differ from their heterosexual counterparts, it is unclear if norm strength (i.e., when norms are clearly articulated, shared, binding) and its role for relationship satisfaction vary across sexual orientations. Using multilevel meta-analysis, we synthesized effects from four independent samples (total N = 1171) containing data on sexual orientation, relationship norm strength, and satisfaction. We tested whether (a) norm strength and (b) its association with satisfaction were dependent on sexual orientation and/or particular forms of norm strength. Contrary to expectations, we found no differences in norm strength across sexual identities or forms of norm strength. Our findings suggest similar degrees of norm strength govern LGB relationships. Limitations include cross-sectional MTurk samples and mono-informant data that prevent examination of dyadic processes. Future research should distinguish which normative mechanisms (e.g., the content of/conformity to norms) are responsible for shaping relationships.
