Consequences of interpersonal spin on couple-relevant goal progress and relationship satisfaction in romantic relationships

Bibliographic Data

ID6205569
AuthorsGentiana Sadikaj (0000-0002-7245-2845, McGill University), Lance M Rappaport (0000-0002-3265-0898, McGill University), D S Moskowitz (0000-0001-7035-4996, McGill University), David C Zuroff (0000-0002-8328-5165, McGill University), Richard Koestner (0000-0002-8416-0057, McGill University), Theodore A Powers (0000-0002-8501-0472, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth), Theodore Powers
Year2015
Volume109
Issue4
Pages722-737
Publication date2015-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/pspp0000043
PMID25938700
OpenAlexW2285737255
LanguageEN
Citations received11

Large fluctuations in a person's interpersonal behavior across situations and over time are thought to be associated with poor personal and interpersonal outcomes. This study examined 2 outcomes, relationship satisfaction and goal progress, that could be associated with individual differences in dispersion of interpersonal behavior (interpersonal spin) in romantic relationships. Need satisfaction and perceived autonomy support for goal pursuit from the partner were examined as mediator variables. Spin was measured using an event-contingent recording (ECR) methodology with a sample of 93 cohabiting couples who reported their interpersonal behavior in interactions with each other during a 20-day period. Relationship satisfaction and goal completion were measured at the end of the ECR procedure (T2) and approximately 7 months after the ECR (T3). Need satisfaction and perceived autonomy support were measured at T2. In both genders, higher spin was associated with lower T2 relationship satisfaction. There was also a decline in relationship satisfaction from T2 to T3 among men with high spin partners. In both genders, higher spin was associated with lower need satisfaction, and lower need satisfaction was associated with a decline in relationship satisfaction from T2 to T3. In both genders, higher spin was associated with lower perceived autonomy support, and lower support was associated with decreased progress in goal completion from T2 to T3. The effects of spin were independent of the effects of mean levels of behavior. These findings extend the understanding of the detrimental consequences of dispersion in interpersonal behavior to the disruption of the person's romantic relationships

Autonomy · Developmental psychology · Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal relationship · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Psychology · Social Psychology