Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in:

16-09-2015 | Original Paper

Relationship Self-Regulation and Relationship Quality: The Moderating Influence of Gender

Auteurs: Kevin Shafer, Spencer L. James, Jeffry H. Larson

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies | Uitgave 4/2016

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Relationship quality, as measured by relationship satisfaction and stability, is important to understanding how happy a couple is and the chances their relationship will end. Prior research has linked two aspects of relationship self-regulation (RSR), effort and strategies to improve a relationship, to increased levels of satisfaction and stability, but has not yet examined if gender moderates this association. Our paper addresses how both aspects of RSR are associated with increases in satisfaction and stability for male and female partners using data from the RELATionship Evaluation Survey. In the sample of 8006 men and women in a variety of romantic unions, we find that both aspects of RSR are positively associated with both aspects of relationship quality, but that this association is stronger for women’s reports of satisfaction than men’s. Additionally, relationship effort has a slightly stronger association with stability for women than men. Both clinical and research applications of these findings are discussed.
Literatuur
go back to reference Amato, P. R., & Booth, A. (1997). A generation at risk: Growing up in an era of family upheaval. Cambridge: Harvard Univ Press. Amato, P. R., & Booth, A. (1997). A generation at risk: Growing up in an era of family upheaval. Cambridge: Harvard Univ Press.
go back to reference Amato, P. R., Booth, A., Johnson, D. R., & Rogers, S. J. (2007). Alone together: How marriage in America is changing. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Amato, P. R., Booth, A., Johnson, D. R., & Rogers, S. J. (2007). Alone together: How marriage in America is changing. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
go back to reference Bernard, J. (1982). The future of marriage. Yale: Yale University Press. Bernard, J. (1982). The future of marriage. Yale: Yale University Press.
go back to reference Blow, A. J., Sprenkle, D. H., & Davis, S. D. (2007). Is who delivers the treatment more important than the treatment itself? The role of the therapist in common factors. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 33(3), 298–317.CrossRefPubMed Blow, A. J., Sprenkle, D. H., & Davis, S. D. (2007). Is who delivers the treatment more important than the treatment itself? The role of the therapist in common factors. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 33(3), 298–317.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Bradbury, T. N., Fincham, F. D., & Beach, S. R. H. (2000). Research on the nature and determinants of marital satisfaction: A decade in review. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(4), 964–980.CrossRef Bradbury, T. N., Fincham, F. D., & Beach, S. R. H. (2000). Research on the nature and determinants of marital satisfaction: A decade in review. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(4), 964–980.CrossRef
go back to reference Brown, S. L. (2000). Union transitions among cohabitors: The significance of relationship assessments and expectations. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62, 833–846.CrossRef Brown, S. L. (2000). Union transitions among cohabitors: The significance of relationship assessments and expectations. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62, 833–846.CrossRef
go back to reference Brown, S. L., & Booth, A. (1996). Cohabitation versus marriage: A comparison of relationship quality. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 58(3), 668–678.CrossRef Brown, S. L., & Booth, A. (1996). Cohabitation versus marriage: A comparison of relationship quality. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 58(3), 668–678.CrossRef
go back to reference Busby, D. M., Holman, T. B., & Taniguchi, N. (2001). RELATE: Relationship evaluation of the individual, family, cultural, and couple contexts. Family Relations, 50(4), 308–316.CrossRef Busby, D. M., Holman, T. B., & Taniguchi, N. (2001). RELATE: Relationship evaluation of the individual, family, cultural, and couple contexts. Family Relations, 50(4), 308–316.CrossRef
go back to reference Canary, D. J., Stafford, L., & Semic, B. A. (2002). A panel study of the associations between maintenance strategies and relational characteristics. Journal of Marriage and Family, 64(2), 395–406.CrossRef Canary, D. J., Stafford, L., & Semic, B. A. (2002). A panel study of the associations between maintenance strategies and relational characteristics. Journal of Marriage and Family, 64(2), 395–406.CrossRef
go back to reference Cole, C. L., & Cole, A. L. (1999). Boundary ambiguities that bind former spouses together after the children leave home in post-divorce families. Family Relations, 48(3), 271–272.CrossRef Cole, C. L., & Cole, A. L. (1999). Boundary ambiguities that bind former spouses together after the children leave home in post-divorce families. Family Relations, 48(3), 271–272.CrossRef
go back to reference Culp, L. N., & Beach, S. R. (1998). Marriage and depressive symptoms. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 22(4), 647–663.CrossRef Culp, L. N., & Beach, S. R. (1998). Marriage and depressive symptoms. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 22(4), 647–663.CrossRef
go back to reference Davis, S. D., Lebow, J. L., & Sprenkle, D. H. (2012). Common factors of change in couple therapy. Behavior Therapy, 43(1), 36–48.CrossRefPubMed Davis, S. D., Lebow, J. L., & Sprenkle, D. H. (2012). Common factors of change in couple therapy. Behavior Therapy, 43(1), 36–48.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference England, P. (2000). Marriage, the costs of children, and gender inequality (pp. 320–342). The ties that bind: Perspectives on marriage and cohabitation. England, P. (2000). Marriage, the costs of children, and gender inequality (pp. 320–342). The ties that bind: Perspectives on marriage and cohabitation.
go back to reference Gabriel, B., Beach, S. R., & Bodenmann, G. (2010). Depression, marital satisfaction and communication in couples: Investigating gender differences. Behavior Therapy, 41(3), 306–316.CrossRefPubMed Gabriel, B., Beach, S. R., & Bodenmann, G. (2010). Depression, marital satisfaction and communication in couples: Investigating gender differences. Behavior Therapy, 41(3), 306–316.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Glenn, N. D. (1998). The course of marital success and failure in five American 10-year marriage cohorts. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 60(3), 569–576.CrossRef Glenn, N. D. (1998). The course of marital success and failure in five American 10-year marriage cohorts. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 60(3), 569–576.CrossRef
go back to reference Halford, W. K. (2011). Marriage and relationship education: What works and how to provide it. New York: The Guilford Press. Halford, W. K. (2011). Marriage and relationship education: What works and how to provide it. New York: The Guilford Press.
go back to reference Halford, W. K., Lizzio, A., Wilson, K. L., & Occhipinti, S. (2007). Does working at your marriage help? Couple relationship self-regulation and satisfaction in the first 4 years of marriage. Journal of Family Psychology, 21(2), 185–194. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.21.2.185.CrossRefPubMed Halford, W. K., Lizzio, A., Wilson, K. L., & Occhipinti, S. (2007). Does working at your marriage help? Couple relationship self-regulation and satisfaction in the first 4 years of marriage. Journal of Family Psychology, 21(2), 185–194. doi:10.​1037/​0893-3200.​21.​2.​185.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Halford, W. K., Sanders, M. R., & Behrens, B. C. (1994). Self-regulation in behavioral couples’ therapy. Behavior Therapy, 25(3), 431–452.CrossRef Halford, W. K., Sanders, M. R., & Behrens, B. C. (1994). Self-regulation in behavioral couples’ therapy. Behavior Therapy, 25(3), 431–452.CrossRef
go back to reference Hawkins, D. N., & Booth, A. (2005). Unhappily ever after: Effects of long-term, low-quality marriages on well-being. Social Forces, 84(1), 451–471.CrossRef Hawkins, D. N., & Booth, A. (2005). Unhappily ever after: Effects of long-term, low-quality marriages on well-being. Social Forces, 84(1), 451–471.CrossRef
go back to reference Heaton, T. B. (2002). Factors contributing to increasing marital stability in the United States. Journal of Family Issues, 23(3), 392–409.CrossRef Heaton, T. B. (2002). Factors contributing to increasing marital stability in the United States. Journal of Family Issues, 23(3), 392–409.CrossRef
go back to reference Hoffmann, J. P., & Shafer, K. (2015). Linear regression analysis: Assumptions and applications. Washington, D.C.: NASW Press. Hoffmann, J. P., & Shafer, K. (2015). Linear regression analysis: Assumptions and applications. Washington, D.C.: NASW Press.
go back to reference Jackson, J. B., Miller, R. B., Oka, M., & Henry, R. G. (2014). Gender differences in marital satisfaction: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family, 76(1), 105–129.CrossRef Jackson, J. B., Miller, R. B., Oka, M., & Henry, R. G. (2014). Gender differences in marital satisfaction: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family, 76(1), 105–129.CrossRef
go back to reference James, S. L. (2015). Variation in trajectories of women’s marital quality. Social Science Research, 49(1), 16–30.CrossRefPubMed James, S. L. (2015). Variation in trajectories of women’s marital quality. Social Science Research, 49(1), 16–30.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Johnson, D. R., & Young, R. (2011). Toward best practices in analyzing datasets with missing data: Comparisons and recommendations. Journal of Marriage and Family, 73(5), 926–945.CrossRef Johnson, D. R., & Young, R. (2011). Toward best practices in analyzing datasets with missing data: Comparisons and recommendations. Journal of Marriage and Family, 73(5), 926–945.CrossRef
go back to reference Monin, J. K., & Clark, M. S. (2011). Why do men benefit more from marriage than do women? Thinking more broadly about interpersonal processes that occur within and outside of marriage. Sex Roles, 65(5–6), 320–326. doi:10.1007/s11199-011-0008-3.CrossRef Monin, J. K., & Clark, M. S. (2011). Why do men benefit more from marriage than do women? Thinking more broadly about interpersonal processes that occur within and outside of marriage. Sex Roles, 65(5–6), 320–326. doi:10.​1007/​s11199-011-0008-3.CrossRef
go back to reference Olson, D. H., Russell, C. S., & Sprenkle, D. H. (2004). Circumplex model of marital and family systems: Vl. Theoretical update. Family Process, 22(1), 69–83.CrossRef Olson, D. H., Russell, C. S., & Sprenkle, D. H. (2004). Circumplex model of marital and family systems: Vl. Theoretical update. Family Process, 22(1), 69–83.CrossRef
go back to reference Proulx, C. M., Helms, H. M., & Buehler, C. (2007). Marital quality and personal well-being: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family, 69(3), 576–593.CrossRef Proulx, C. M., Helms, H. M., & Buehler, C. (2007). Marital quality and personal well-being: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family, 69(3), 576–593.CrossRef
go back to reference Shafer, K., Jensen, T. M., & Larson, J. H. (2014a). Relationship effort, satisfaction, and stability: Differences across union type. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 40(2), 212–232.CrossRefPubMed Shafer, K., Jensen, T. M., & Larson, J. H. (2014a). Relationship effort, satisfaction, and stability: Differences across union type. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 40(2), 212–232.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Shafer, K., Jensen, T. M., & Larson, J. H. (2014b). An actor-partner model of relationship effort and marital quality. Family Relations, 63(5), 654–666.CrossRef Shafer, K., Jensen, T. M., & Larson, J. H. (2014b). An actor-partner model of relationship effort and marital quality. Family Relations, 63(5), 654–666.CrossRef
go back to reference Simon, R. W. (2002). Revisiting the relationships among gender, marital status, and mental health. American Journal of Sociology, 107(4), 1065–1096.CrossRef Simon, R. W. (2002). Revisiting the relationships among gender, marital status, and mental health. American Journal of Sociology, 107(4), 1065–1096.CrossRef
go back to reference Skinner, K. B., Bahr, S. J., Crane, D. R., & Call, V. R. (2002). Cohabitation, marriage, and remarriage—a comparison of relationship quality over time. Journal of Family Issues, 23(1), 74–90.CrossRef Skinner, K. B., Bahr, S. J., Crane, D. R., & Call, V. R. (2002). Cohabitation, marriage, and remarriage—a comparison of relationship quality over time. Journal of Family Issues, 23(1), 74–90.CrossRef
go back to reference Sprenkle, D. H., & Blow, A. J. (2004). Common factors and our sacred models. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 30(2), 113–129.CrossRefPubMed Sprenkle, D. H., & Blow, A. J. (2004). Common factors and our sacred models. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 30(2), 113–129.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Sweeney, M. M. (2002). Remarriage and the nature of divorce: Does it matter which spouse chose to leave? Journal of Family Issues, 23(3), 410–440.CrossRef Sweeney, M. M. (2002). Remarriage and the nature of divorce: Does it matter which spouse chose to leave? Journal of Family Issues, 23(3), 410–440.CrossRef
go back to reference Thompson, L., & Walker, A. J. (1995). The place of feminism in family studies. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57(4), 847–865.CrossRef Thompson, L., & Walker, A. J. (1995). The place of feminism in family studies. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57(4), 847–865.CrossRef
go back to reference Twenge, J. M., Campbell, W. K., & Foster, C. A. (2003). Parenthood and marital satisfaction: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Marriage and Family, 65(3), 574–583.CrossRef Twenge, J. M., Campbell, W. K., & Foster, C. A. (2003). Parenthood and marital satisfaction: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Marriage and Family, 65(3), 574–583.CrossRef
go back to reference Umberson, D., & Williams, K. (2005). Marital quality, health, and aging: Gender equity? Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 60(2), S109–S113.CrossRef Umberson, D., & Williams, K. (2005). Marital quality, health, and aging: Gender equity? Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 60(2), S109–S113.CrossRef
go back to reference Umberson, D., Williams, K., Powers, D. A., Liu, H., & Needham, B. (2006). You make me sick: Marital quality and health over the life course. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 47(1), 1–16.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Umberson, D., Williams, K., Powers, D. A., Liu, H., & Needham, B. (2006). You make me sick: Marital quality and health over the life course. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 47(1), 1–16.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Wilson, K. L., Charker, J., Lizzio, A., Halford, K., & Kimlin, S. (2005). Assessing how much couples work at their relationship: The behavioral self-regulation for effective relationships scale. Journal of Family Psychology, 19(3), 385–393. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.19.3.385.CrossRefPubMed Wilson, K. L., Charker, J., Lizzio, A., Halford, K., & Kimlin, S. (2005). Assessing how much couples work at their relationship: The behavioral self-regulation for effective relationships scale. Journal of Family Psychology, 19(3), 385–393. doi:10.​1037/​0893-3200.​19.​3.​385.CrossRefPubMed
Metagegevens
Titel
Relationship Self-Regulation and Relationship Quality: The Moderating Influence of Gender
Auteurs
Kevin Shafer
Spencer L. James
Jeffry H. Larson
Publicatiedatum
16-09-2015
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Child and Family Studies / Uitgave 4/2016
Print ISSN: 1062-1024
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2843
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0294-4