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Intergenerational Transmission Of Health-Promoting Behaviors: Examining Participation In Physical Activity Between Middle-Aged Mothers And Their Younger Adult Children, Sarah T. Stahl
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Research has provided considerable evidence that participation in regular physical activity is associated with numerous physical and mental health benefits (Penedo & Dahn, 2005). Despite public health efforts to increase the activity levels adults, only 25% of the U.S. adult population is regularly active and nearly 60% remains sedentary (US Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2008). A small, but growing, area of research has examined physical activity from an intergenerational or dyadic perspective that considers how involvements in close, personal relationships influence levels of physical activity. In a sample of middle-aged mothers and their younger adult children, the …
Understanding The Expression And Implications Of Deceptive Affectionate Messages, Sean M. Horan
Understanding The Expression And Implications Of Deceptive Affectionate Messages, Sean M. Horan
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Affectionate messages are important in romantic relationships as they are linked to multiple emotional, physical, and relational benefits (e.g., Floyd, 2006a). When examining affection, it is important to distinguish that feelings of affection and the communication of affection are two unique processes that theorists argue covary. Yet, deception researchers have found that individuals routinely lie to their non-married romantic partners about their feelings (DePaulo & Kasy, 1998; DePaulo, Kashy, Kirkendol, Wyer, & Epstein, 1996). This dissertation, composed of two studies, examined how individuals in non-married romantic relationships communicated deceptive affection and the implications of such messages. Study one used a …
The Dating Game: Cultivation Effects On Relational Investment, Thomas L. Meade
The Dating Game: Cultivation Effects On Relational Investment, Thomas L. Meade
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This study investigated the relationship between high exposure to reality television dating shows (Rock of Love, The Bachelorette, etc) and higher perceptions of alternatives to a current romantic relationship as explained by Cultivation Theory (Gerbner & Gross, 1973) and the Investment Model (Rusbult, 1980). This study employs interpersonal communication strategies to study media effects. Surveys were collected from 273 students at a large university. Results indicate higher exposure to reality television dating shows may cultivate a higher perception of alternatives to a current romantic relationship, however do not cultivate a belief that one's partner believes themselves to have a high …
Stay Or Leave? The Effects Of Communicative Infidelity On Relationship Outcomes, Colleen C. Malachowski
Stay Or Leave? The Effects Of Communicative Infidelity On Relationship Outcomes, Colleen C. Malachowski
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The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of communicative infidelity (CI) motives on relationship outcomes. CI motives include jealousy, vengefulness, sexual self-esteem, sexual depression, and sexual preoccupation, while outcomes included forgiveness, reparation, voice, exit, loyalty, and neglect responses. Additionally, this study tested the relationship of commitment and satisfaction to relational outcomes. Participants were 215 undergraduate students currently involved in a romantic relationship. Participants were instructed to answer questions measuring their commitment and satisfaction levels, as well as read and respond to a CI scenario. Results indicated that commitment is positively related to voice responses and negatively related …
Measuring And Changing Negative Stuttering Stereotypes In Adolescents, Timothy W. Flynn
Measuring And Changing Negative Stuttering Stereotypes In Adolescents, Timothy W. Flynn
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Stuttering is known to carry stereotypes, e.g., that people who stutter are nervous, anxious, and shy. Research has shown that negative stereotypes about people who stutter exist within the general population. Moreover, negative stereotypes exist among teachers, students, speech-language pathologists, and even the parents of people who stutter. While public opinion of stuttering does not vary dramatically between populations, the ways in which we might change it does. Research has shown that educational videos, books, and classes about stuttering do not appear to significantly alter public opinion positively.;This study compared the effectiveness of two forms of advocacy, a live presentation …
Age Differences In Younger And Older Adults' Experience Of Interpersonal Problems, Leo Schlosnagle
Age Differences In Younger And Older Adults' Experience Of Interpersonal Problems, Leo Schlosnagle
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Differences between younger (N=78) and older (N=78) adults' frequency of experience of interpersonal problems were examined. Previous research has shown age-related declines in contact frequency and negative interactions (Akiyama, et al., 2003; Carstensen, 1992). Aging has also been associated with concurrent increases in emotional closeness and relationship satisfaction with social partners (Birditt, et al., 2005; Lang & Carstensen, 2002), and social self-efficacy and problem-solving effectiveness (Artistico, Cervone, and Pezzuti, 2003; Blanchard-Fields, Mienaltowski, & Seay, 2007; Lachman, 1986). In the current study, older adults reported experiencing interpersonal problems significantly less often than younger adults. Older adults also reported less contact frequency …
When Two Become One: Marital Couples' Public Performances And Couple Identity, Carrie D. Kennedy-Lightsey
When Two Become One: Marital Couples' Public Performances And Couple Identity, Carrie D. Kennedy-Lightsey
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Communication researchers know little about marital couples' public performances, or how marital couples communicate as a nonsummative whole when in the presence of important others (e.g., friends, family, co-workers). Two studies were conducted to examine marital couples' public performances from a Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) (Hecht, 1993) framework. In the first study, 153 marital couples completed self-report measures to assess how marital couples' attachment styles and relationship awareness are related to identity gaps during public performances as well as how identity gaps relate to a variety of outcomes including communication satisfaction, feelings of being understood, conversational appropriateness, relationship satisfaction, …
Motivation In Sport: Bridging Historical And Contemporary Theory Through A Qualitative Approach, Daniel J. Leidl
Motivation In Sport: Bridging Historical And Contemporary Theory Through A Qualitative Approach, Daniel J. Leidl
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From intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to attributions and goal orientation, theory and study related to motivation in sport abound. However, theorists such as Adler (Adler, 1998), Frankl (1984), and Maslow (Maslow, 1962) detail broader motivational frameworks that focus on a human impulse to derive meaning and purpose by extending beyond the self. While such theories take prominent positions within psychology, there applicability to sport has seemingly been overlooked. In an effort to explore more traditional motivational constructs in sport, a qualitative analysis of elite lacrosse coaches (n=7) was conducted. Through semi-structured interviews, coaches shared their motivation to coach and how …
Leadership And Organizational Culture Transformation In Professional Sport, Joe Frontiera
Leadership And Organizational Culture Transformation In Professional Sport, Joe Frontiera
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Schein (1992) defined organizational culture as "a pattern of shared basic assumptions that the group learned as it solved its problems of external adaptation and internal integration" (p. 12), and organizational culture has long been recognized as a moderator to performance in business (Baalthazard, Cooke, & Potter, 2006; Kotter & Heskett, 1992; Smerek & Denison, 2007). The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the phenomena of organizational culture change in professional sport (National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, and National Football League). Of the 32 teams that met criteria for inclusion, six agreed to participate. Specifically, leaders (owners …
Dialectical Tensions In Stroke Survivor Relationships, Kimberly N. Leezer
Dialectical Tensions In Stroke Survivor Relationships, Kimberly N. Leezer
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Stroke is an unpredictable and life-altering medical occurrence which causes immediate change in stroke survivors' relationships. Previous communication researchers have focused on the dialectical tensions experienced by stroke survivors themselves. This study sought to discover dialectical tensions experienced by spouses of stroke survivors, how those dialectical tensions compare to those experienced by stroke survivors, and how time affects the dialectical tensions experienced by spouses of stroke survivors. Sixteen spouses of stroke survivors participated in interviews, and five tensions were ultimately discovered: self-preference -- partner-preference, realism -- idealism, freedom constraint, fear -- content, and emotional release -- emotional reservation. Three dialectical …
The Impact Of Exposure To Violent Music On Undergraduate College Males' State Anger, Affective, Physiological, And Aggressive Behavioral Action Responses, Kristee Hamm Treadwell
The Impact Of Exposure To Violent Music On Undergraduate College Males' State Anger, Affective, Physiological, And Aggressive Behavioral Action Responses, Kristee Hamm Treadwell
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The current study addresses the potential negative impact of exposure to violent lyrical music on West Virginia University undergraduate college males' state anger, affective, physiological and aggressive behavioral action responses. In addition, relationships between the following variables were also examined: (a) level of trait anger and aggressive behavioral action responses, (b) level of trait anger control and aggressive behavioral action responses, (c) level of trait anger expression and aggressive behavioral action responses, (d) overall anger expression index and aggressive behavioral action responses, (e) daily music listening and aggressive behavioral action responses, and (f) prior music exposure and aggressive behavioral action …
Social Status And Behavioral Observations Of Children Exhibiting Comorbid Anxiety And Adhd Symptoms, Daniel B. Chorney
Social Status And Behavioral Observations Of Children Exhibiting Comorbid Anxiety And Adhd Symptoms, Daniel B. Chorney
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The development of strong and positive relationships early in childhood is key to later social adjustment. Many behaviors have been shown to be related to children's status among their peers, defining whether they will be seen as popular, rejected, neglected, controversial, or of average status in the child's peer group. Children who display anxious behaviors are often overlooked by their peers, while aggressive and disruptive behaviors can lead to rejection. A small proportion of students display both symptoms of anxiety and ADHD, and prior research fails to show what peer status group most represents these children, or what social interaction …
The Development Of A Typology For Interracial Relationships, Juan M. D'Brot
The Development Of A Typology For Interracial Relationships, Juan M. D'Brot
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The purpose of this study was to determine whether Foeman and Nance's (1999) model of interracial relationship development could be adapted into a generalizable interracial relationship typology and whether there would be distinct differences in the affective, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions of each stage. Long-table analysis of four focus group interviews confirmed differences among the four stages of Foeman and Nance's model. Further examination of focus group transcripts revealed differences between the affective, cognitive, and behavioral dimension of each stage, but few differences between the affective and cognitive dimensions across stages. Implications for the study of relationship development, limitations, and …
College Dating And Social Anxiety: Using The Internet As A Means Of Connecting To Others, Sarah B. Stevens
College Dating And Social Anxiety: Using The Internet As A Means Of Connecting To Others, Sarah B. Stevens
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With the advent and widespread use of the Internet, various online media are being used to connect and maintain social relationships in individuals of all ages. Social relationships are vital to healthy development, and individuals with social and/or dating anxiety may have marked difficulty in establishing appropriate, supportive relationships due to fear of negative evaluation by others. For these individuals, the Internet may open up avenues of communication, and provide an outlet through which relationships can be formed and preserved. This study investigated the characteristics of computer and Internet use in young adults, to determine whether individuals who were high …
Effects Of Social Support And Heterosexism On The Psychological Well-Being Of Diverse Adults, S. Melinda Spencer
Effects Of Social Support And Heterosexism On The Psychological Well-Being Of Diverse Adults, S. Melinda Spencer
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During emerging adulthood, individuals struggle to form an identity and must develop personal resources to help them cope with life stressors. Lesbian and gay (LG) adults must do this from within a context of heterosexist discrimination, which can negatively influence multiple aspects of psychological well-being. The specific aims of this study were to examine: (1) differences by gender and sexual orientation in psychological well-being, (2) the role of individual characteristics (gender and sexual orientation) and personal resources (mastery and social support) in explaining psychological well-being, and (3) the influence of heterosexism and personal resources on psychological well-being of LGB individuals. …
Action Research Analysis Of The Forces Affecting Farmer Participation In A West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Farmer Education Program, John Robert Edalgo
Action Research Analysis Of The Forces Affecting Farmer Participation In A West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Farmer Education Program, John Robert Edalgo
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This study uses action research principles and Kurt Lewin's field theory to investigate the forces dictating farmer participation in the Decision Enabling Data Collection and Management System Initiative (DEDCMSI). These forces were classified in Chapter IV under the following project categories: Hardware, Software, Perception of DEDCMSI, Perception of Technology, and Sociocultural. This West Virginia University Cooperative Extension Service (WVUCES) initiative organized four farm finance groups located in the following counties: Ohio, Jefferson, Mineral, and Monroe. Data collection methods used to identify forces occurring within this seven-month pilot project is listed here as follows: structured, semi-structured, and un-structured interviews. A total …
Understanding Mindfulness: Implications For Instruction And Learning, Todd Lyle Stoops
Understanding Mindfulness: Implications For Instruction And Learning, Todd Lyle Stoops
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This Dissertation examines the literature concerning Mindfulness as it relates to Educational Psychology and overviews a research study conducted to add empirical research on Mindfulness instruction and learning. The literature review is divided into three categories of Mindfulness which are defined and discussed according to applications and implications for education. These three categories are (a) Mindfulness as a meditative practice for teachers and in its use in teacher education programs, (b) clinical and therapeutic applications of Mindfulness in contemporary psychology, and (c) Mindfulness in Educational Psychology. Established constructs from the literature of psychology and education are related to the concepts …
The Effects Of Contextual Factors On Dyadic Everyday Problem Solving In Adulthood, Tara L. Neely
The Effects Of Contextual Factors On Dyadic Everyday Problem Solving In Adulthood, Tara L. Neely
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The present study examined individual and dyadic everyday problem solving in 45 younger, middle-aged, and older adult married couples. The goal of the study was to investigate the effects of age, gender, collaboration, marital characteristics, and basic cognition on everyday problem-solving. Two research questions were addressed. First, were there group differences across three phases of problem solving? Second, what was the frequency of individual change, and which factors predicted improvement, stability, or decline? When addressing the first question, there was a significant four-way interaction, F (4, 78) = 2.83, p < .05, eta = .12, between participant age, gender, problem-solving condition, and problem-solving phase, emphasizing the multidimensionality of everyday cognition. When addressing the second question, a larger percentage of individuals who collaborated reliably improved compared to individuals who worked alone. Furthermore, basic cognitive abilities, education, and marital factors significantly accounted for individual reliable change in everyday problem solving.
Communication Patterns Following The Acquisition Of A Sexually Transmitted Infection, Courtney Vail Fletcher
Communication Patterns Following The Acquisition Of A Sexually Transmitted Infection, Courtney Vail Fletcher
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This study examines the relationship between personality traits and communication patterns following the contraction of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Participants were 148 college students (46 men, 104 women) attending a large Mid-Atlantic University. Seventy-four of the participants reported having had an STI. Participants completed the Communication Competence Scale (Wiemann, 1977), the Interpersonal Trust Scale (ITS: Rotter, 1967), the Revised Self-Disclosure Scale (Wheeless & Grotz, 1976), the conscientious factor of the NEO Personality Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992), the Health Locus of Control Scale (Wallston, Wallston, Kaplan, & Maides, 1976), and the interpersonal anxiety factor of the Personal Report of …
Gossip As An Interpersonal Communication Phenomenon, Elycia M. Taylor
Gossip As An Interpersonal Communication Phenomenon, Elycia M. Taylor
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Two studies were conducted for the purpose of validating Foster's (2004) Gossip Functions Questionnaire (GFQ) which measures the reasons why people gossip (i.e., the functions of gossip). The GFQ originally consisted of four subscales that measured the functions of gossip: information, entertainment, friendship, and influence. In Study One, an exploratory factor analysis failed to reveal the four subscales Foster originally conceptualized. However, three factors were apparent that seemed to measure three separate functions of gossip: trivial gossip, influential gossip, and behavioral guidance gossip. In Study Two, a confirmatory factor analysis of a second data set failed to validate the 3-factor …
Perceptions Of Mothers Labeled Adolescent Or Adult And Their Infants, Nichole L. Elliott
Perceptions Of Mothers Labeled Adolescent Or Adult And Their Infants, Nichole L. Elliott
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The aim was to examine how adolescent and/or unmarried mothers and their infants are perceived. Negative appraisals by others of adolescent and/or unmarried mothers and their infants may contribute to the difficulties they encounter. Psychology students viewed videotapes of adult mothers labeled as adolescent or adult and as unmarried or married interacting with their infants. Participants were asked to rate the infants, the mothers and their interactions. Results show that there were cases in which those labeled adolescent and unmarried were seen less positively than those labeled adult and married. There were also instances of counterintuitive findings of lower ratings …
Specific Aspects Of Social Anxiety Related To Children's Peer Sociometric Status, Abby H. Friedman
Specific Aspects Of Social Anxiety Related To Children's Peer Sociometric Status, Abby H. Friedman
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The present study examined the association between specific aspects of social anxiety and sociometric status. Participants included 268 children in grades 4, 5, and 6. The children completed the Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised (SASC-R) and the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children (SPAI-C). A sociometric nomination procedure was used to categorize participants into sociometric status groups (i.e., neglected, rejected, controversial, popular, and average). Results replicated and extended previous literature. Neglected children scored the highest on both measures of social anxiety, followed by rejected children. This was one of the first investigations to associate socometric status with SPAI-C factor …
Factors Underlying Stalking And Harassing Behavior In A College Population, Jill Johansson-Love
Factors Underlying Stalking And Harassing Behavior In A College Population, Jill Johansson-Love
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At the high end of unwanted pursuit behavior is stalking. This study, using questionnaires, investigated a sample of 48, college females, identified as potential stalkers. Factors examined included: demographic information, social desirability, psychological functioning, attachment, motive, rape myth acceptance, adversarial sexual beliefs, criminal thinking styles, and the actual unwanted pursuit behavior. Hypotheses regarding the criminal thinking styles of the individuals engaging in harassing and stalking behavior were supported at the .05 level. These findings indicate that harassers and stalkers exhibit criminal thinking patterns, such as sacrificing internal control to exert control over the external environment and justifying behavior by externalizing …
Adolescents' Perceptions Of Interparental Conflict And The Impact On Their Aggressive Communication Traits, Christine E. Kunkle
Adolescents' Perceptions Of Interparental Conflict And The Impact On Their Aggressive Communication Traits, Christine E. Kunkle
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This study examines the relationship between interparental conflict and adolescents' aggressive communication while utilizing tolerance for disagreement as a mediating variable. Participants were 159 high school students. Participants completed a modified version of the Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale (Grych, Seid, & Fincham, 1992), the Argumentativeness Scale (Infante & Rancer, 1982), the Verbal Aggressiveness Scale (Infante & Wigley, 1986), and the Revised Tolerance for Disagreement Scale (Teven, Martin, & Neupauer, 1998). No significant relationships were found between perceived interparental conflict and adolescents' tendencies to approach arguments, adolescents' tendencies to avoid arguments, and adolescents' verbal aggressiveness. When controlling for tolerance …
Does Video -Based And Live Attribution Training Improve College Freshman Performance On Academic -Based Tasks?, Tasneem Doctor
Does Video -Based And Live Attribution Training Improve College Freshman Performance On Academic -Based Tasks?, Tasneem Doctor
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This study examined the effects of attribution training (an intervention designed to increase motivation and achievement) on undergraduate students' effort and performance. The sample consisted of 93 undergraduate, freshman students enrolled in a study strategies course during the fall semester. The attribution training was varied for each student by attribution training mode (live, video, or control), time of semester (beginning or end), and gender of script reader (male or female). Other independent variables examined included gender of the participant (male or female) and ACT and SAT scores (low versus high). Change Scores (post minus pre) served as dependent variables for …
Factors Influencing Older Adult Collaboration On Health Problems, Kelly L. Snyder
Factors Influencing Older Adult Collaboration On Health Problems, Kelly L. Snyder
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The current study examined the factors (i.e., gender, marital status, domain and severity of the problem) that influence older adults' strategy ratings on health-related problems. One hundred twenty-eight community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older (M = 71.4 years, SD = 7.21) rated strategies to solve four hypothetical health problems in two domains: heart, arthritis (one mild problem and one severe problem in each domain). Overall, results suggest that gender and marital status, as well as the domain, and severity of health problems impact older adults' rating of strategies to solve health-related problems. The effects of gender, marital status and severity …
Examining Predictors Of Marital Satisfaction Among Age-Similar And Age-Discrepant Older Couples, Kristi A. Barnes
Examining Predictors Of Marital Satisfaction Among Age-Similar And Age-Discrepant Older Couples, Kristi A. Barnes
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Sociocultural and demographic trends suggest the importance of examining the marital experience among older adults, and those who are in non-traditional marriages in particular. The current study examined the marital experiences of middle-aged and older individuals who are involved in long-term (15 yrs. or longer) age-similar (n = 35) and age-discrepant marriages (n = 35). All information was gathered through telephone interviews. Analysis of variance tests examined mean differences as a function of type of marriage (2; ADM and AS) and gender (2). These analyses revealed no differences between marriage types on a number of measures of marital satisfaction. However, …
Contextual Variability In Early Adolescents' State Masculinity, Femininity And Peer Interaction Goals, Jennifer Kristen Pickard
Contextual Variability In Early Adolescents' State Masculinity, Femininity And Peer Interaction Goals, Jennifer Kristen Pickard
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The purpose of the study was to investigate how early adolescents' gender-typed behaviors (i.e., masculinity, femininity, goals for interacting with peers) changed as a function of the social context. Eighty early adolescents (40 boys and 40 girls, 7th--8th graders; Mean age = 13.14; SD = .65) worked with both a same- and an other-sex peer on a collaborative or a competitive block building task. Individual attributes such as participant sex, and contextual features such sex of partner affected early adolescents' reported masculinity, femininity, and their goals for a peer interaction. Boys reported greater femininity when interacting with an other-sex peer …
Social Contagion Of Eating Attitudes And Behaviors Among First Year College Women Living In Residence Hall Communities, Jeffrey S. Vanlone
Social Contagion Of Eating Attitudes And Behaviors Among First Year College Women Living In Residence Hall Communities, Jeffrey S. Vanlone
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The present investigation was designed to examine the development of disturbed eating patterns among college women. More specifically, this researcher investigated the social contagion of eating attitudes and behaviors among first year college women living in residence hall communities. The results demonstrated that college women developed eating attitudes and behaviors similar to those of other women in their small friendship clusters. Similarities in eating attitudes and behaviors were not found among participants in the study when residence hall floor membership was used as the independent variable. This study also found significant relationships between student adjustment to college and disturbed eating …
Emotion-Based Personality Traits And Associations With Conflict Tactics And Relationship Satisfaction In Romantic Relationships, Christine A. Rudnicki
Emotion-Based Personality Traits And Associations With Conflict Tactics And Relationship Satisfaction In Romantic Relationships, Christine A. Rudnicki
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The purpose of this study was to assess the role that emotion based personality traits play in conflict tactic choice and relationship satisfaction in romantic relationships. The researchers proposed that emotional intelligence and affective orientation influenced the choice of verbally aggressive or reasoning tactics use and their subsequent affects on overall relationship satisfaction. 159 participants, 84 men and 75 women, from a large Mid-Atlantic university participated in this study. Results showed that emotional intelligence and affective orientation were significantly correlated (r = .58), and that affective orientation in combination of the participants' perceptions of their partner's use of verbally aggressive, …