Commitment, Forgiveness, and Relationship Self-Regulation: An Actor Partner Interdependence Model of Relationship Virtues and Relationship Effort in Couple Relationships.

Dyadic data from 679 committed couples were used to examine associations between commitment, forgiveness, and perceptions of partner's relationship self-regulation (RSR) behaviors-that is effort and strategies that partners exert to maintain the relationship. We found that for both partners, higher self-reports of commitment and forgiveness were associated with higher perceptions of their partner's RSR. For females, higher commitment and forgiveness were associated with higher male perceptions of her RSR, and higher male forgiveness was associated with higher female perceptions of his RSR.

Conflict Resolution Styles as Mediators of Female Child Sexual Abuse Experience and Heterosexual Couple Relationship Satisfaction and Stability in Adulthood.

Trauma from female incestuous child sexual abuse may result in negative psychological consequences affecting adult relationships. This study explored relational consequences of incestuous child sexual abuse, focusing on conflict resolution styles, relationship satisfaction, and relationship stability. Using the RELATionship Evaluation dataset, 457 heterosexual couples in which female partners experienced incestuous child sexual abuse were compared to a group of 1,827 couples with no sexual abuse history.

Gender differences in couple attachment behaviors as predictors of dietary habits and physical activity levels.

This study used an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model to examine the relationship between attachment behaviors and health practices, as measured by physical activity levels and dietary habits. The sample included 1031 married couples, the majority of which is Caucasian (83.8%).

Relationship effort, satisfaction, and stability: differences across union type.

Relationship satisfaction and stability are two commonly studied outcomes in marriage and family research. Majority of studies address socio demographic variability and differences across union type in these outcomes. We extend this literature by addressing how the amount of effort one puts into their relationship is associated with stability and satisfaction.

Contempt and defensiveness in couple relationships related to childhood sexual abuse histories for self and partner.

This study examined the relationship between a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) for one or both members of a romantic couple and perceptions of contempt and defensiveness for self and partner. Data from the Relationship Evaluation (RELATE) were analyzed for 10,061 couples. The findings suggest that when either or both partner(s) has a history of CSA, contempt and defensiveness in the couple relationship are greater than when neither reports a history of CSA.

Partner traits that predict relationship satisfaction for neurotic individuals in premarital relationships.

The purpose of this study was (a) to examine the degree of consensus between self-reports of neuroticism and partner reports of neuroticism, (b) to explore how neuroticism is related to relationship satisfaction for both partners, and (c) to identify partner traits and skills that predict relationship satisfaction in committed premarital relationships in which one partner has neurotic traits. The results from 198 single, young adult couples who completed the Relationship Evaluation indicated the length of the relationship and their perceptions of their partners' empathy, flexibility, and clear-speaking skills predicted relationship satisfaction for neurotic women. Predictors of relationship satisfaction for neurotic men included perceptions of their partners' lack of criticism and flooding as well as high levels of kindness and empathy.

Implicit family process rules in eating-disordered and non-eating-disordered families.

Family environment has been shown to be one of the factors related to the presence of eating disorders among young-adult females. Clinical experience and theories about eating disorders postulate that implicit family rules are an intricate part of family process that may have a great effect on the creation and maintenance of such problems. This study compared implicit family process rules (specifically rules pertaining to kindness; expressiveness and connection; constraining thoughts, feelings, and self; inappropriate caretaking; and monitoring) in families with a young-adult female diagnosed with an eating disorder-either anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or eating disorder not otherwise specified-and families with a young-adult female without an eating disorder diagnosis.

The RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE) with therapist-assisted interpretation: short-term effects on premarital relationships.

This study assessed participant satisfaction with two interpretation formats and the effects of taking the RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE) on single young adults' premarital relationships. Thirty-nine engaged or seriously dating couples were assigned to one of three groups: (a) those who took RELATE and interpreted the results themselves, (b) those who took RELATE and participated in an interpretation session with a therapist, or (c) a control group. Results showed that taking RELATE with therapist assistance had a significant positive effect on perceived relationship satisfaction, commitment, opinions about marriage, feelings about marriage, and readiness for marriage.

A review of three comprehensive premarital assessment questionnaires.

Three comprehensive premarital assessment questionnaires (PAQs) are described, evaluated on their psychometric characteristics, and compared. They include the PREmarital Preparation and Relationship Enhancement (PREPARE) questionnaire, the Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study (FOCCUS) questionnaire, and the RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE). Recommendations for using each PAQ are discussed.