Relational turbulence processes among avoidant and anxious spouses

ABSTRACT

Relational turbulence theory (RTT) articulates processes that explain why spouses evaluate their marriages as chaotic. Specifically, RTT predicts that relational uncertainty biases cognitive appraisals about the marriage and that partner interference with daily routines heightens negative emotions toward the spouse, both of which, culminate in relational turbulence. Our study confirmed these theoretical processes in marriage. However, by integrating attachment theory predictions into RTT to further inform these processes, we demonstrated that RTT’s mechanisms were not the same for all spouses as they were dependent upon individuals’ attachment dimensions. Results of a latent profile analysis with distal outcomes indicated that RTT’s relationship parameters differed among spouses’ attachment styles, and results of conditional process models revealed that spouses who were higher in both attachment avoidance and anxiety experienced the most relational turbulence through theorized processes. Because RTT’s relationship parameters and processes differed by spouses’ attachment, our results speak to the importance of considering the moderation of RTT’s mechanistic pathways with particular emphasis on partners who vary in relationship security and interpersonal vulnerabilities

KEYWORDS:

• Relational turbulence theory
• attachment theory
• relational uncertainty
• interdependence
• marriage

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. We also considered the possibility that avoidance and anxiety served as second-stage moderators (i.e., moderating the effect of threat appraisals on relational turbulence and the effect of negative emotions on relational turbulence). Joint interaction terms revealed no evidence second-stage additive moderation (ΔR² due to both interactions = .003; F(2, 496) = .984, p = .374) of threat appraisals on relational turbulence controlling for relational uncertainty. Joint interaction terms also revealed no second-stage moderation (ΔR² due to both interactions = .007; F(2, 496) = 2.440, p = .088) of the effect of negative emotions on relational turbulence controlling for partner interference. Therefore, we retained our original conditional process models specifying first-stage additive moderated mediation.

Additional information

Funding

This research was generously supported by Peggy Rardin McConnell Research Chair funding.

Notes on contributors

Alan K. Goodboy

Alan K. Goodboy (Ph.D., West Virginia University, 2007) is a Professor and Peggy Rardin McConnell Research Chair of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.

San Bolkan

San Bolkan (Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin, 2007) is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at California State University, Long Beach.

Matt Shin

Matt Shin (M.A., California State University, Fullerton, 2020) is a doctoral student in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.