Approach-avoidance goals and relationship problems, communication of stress, and dyadic coping in couples

Springer Science and Business Media LLC - Tập 41 - Trang 576-590 - 2017
Monika Kuster1, Sabine Backes1, Veronika Brandstätter1, Fridtjof W. Nussbeck2, Thomas N. Bradbury3, Dorothee Sutter-Stickel4, Guy Bodenmann4
1Department of Psychology - Psychology of Motivation, Volition, and Emotion, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
2Department of Psychology, Psychological Methods and Evaluation, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
3Department of Psychology - Clinical Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
4Department of Psychology - Clinical Psychology for Children/Adolescents, and Couples/Families, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Tóm tắt

Partners in romantic relationships differ in the extent to which they are oriented towards positive outcomes (e.g., intimacy) or away from negative outcomes (e.g., conflict). The present study examines these approach-avoidance relationship goals in relation to self-reported relationship problems, stress communication, and dyadic coping. Hypotheses were tested on a dyadic level (Actor-Partner Interdependence Model) using data from 368 couples. As expected, people endorsing approach goals reported fewer relationship problems, more effective stress communication, and better dyadic coping. People endorsing avoidance goals reported more relationship problems and poorer dyadic coping. Further, approach-oriented people tended to perceive their partner as being more communicative and more supportive, whereas avoidance-oriented people tended to perceive their partner as more communicative but less supportive. Reports by partners agreed with the self-reports of approach- and avoidance-oriented spouses concerning stress communication and dyadic coping. These findings highlight motivational factors in general, and orientation towards approach-avoidance goals in particular, as key features in understanding relationship maintenance.

Tài liệu tham khảo

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