A Relational Turbulence Model of Partner Responsiveness and Relationship Talk Across Cultures

Abstract

This study applies the relational turbulence model to identify characteristics of romantic relationships that predict perceptions of relationship talk across cultures. Relational uncertainty and interference from partners were examined as predictors of perceived partner responsiveness and relationship talk in South Korean and American romantic relationships. We surveyed 294 individuals from South Korea (N = 138) and the United States (N = 156) about their romantic relationship. The results of a structural equation model (SEM) indicated that (a) relational uncertainty was negatively associated with perceived partner responsiveness and enacted relationship talk, and positively associated with the threat of relationship talk; (b) interference from partners was positively associated with the perceived threat of relationship talk and enacted relationship talk; and (c) perceived partner responsiveness was negatively associated with the perceived threat of relationship talk and positively associated with the enactment of relationship talk. Cultural differences emerged in paths linking relational uncertainty with the perceived threat of relationship talk and partner interference with enacted relationship talk. The results are discussed in terms of implications for extending the relational turbulence model and for understanding the dynamics of romantic relationships across cultures.

Keywords:

• Cross-Cultural
• Interference
• Relational Turbulence Model
• Relational Uncertainty
• Relationship Talk
• Responsiveness

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Scott Choi for his assistance on this project.

Notes

Note. Correlations above the diagonal are for the American sample and correlations below the diagonal are for the South Korean sample. The final column of the table reports the independent sample t-tests for each variable with 295 degrees of freedom.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Independent samples t-tests indicated significant differences across the two samples in terms of respondent age (t ₍₂₉₁₎ = 12.32, p < .001) and relationship status (t ₍₂₉₁₎ = 5.15, p < .001). In terms of age, Americans (M = 20.18) were significantly younger than Koreans (M = 22.93). In terms of relationship status, Koreans (M = 3.04) had less established relationships than Americans (M = 3.60).

We conducted a multiple groups analysis on the measurement model to ensure that the resulting factor structure fit both samples appropriately. We constrained the measurement weights to be equal across the two models. Results indicated that the constrained model (, p < .001; χ²/df = 1.72; CFI = .91; RMSEA = .05) and the unconstrained model (, p < .001; χ²/df = 1.70; CFI = .92; RMSEA = .05) were statistically invariant.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jennifer A. Theiss

Jennifer A. Theiss (PhD, University of Wisconsin–Madison) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Rutgers University.

Mary E. Nagy

Mary E. Nagy (PhD, Rutgers University) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Bloomsburg University.