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Expectancy effects on marital interaction: rejection sensitivity as a critical moderator.
Dominik Schoebi1, Meinrad Perrez, Thomas N Bradbury
1Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Rue de Faucigny 2, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland. dominik.schoebi@unifr.ch
Summary
Positive expectancies enhance relationship quality, especially during negative affect. However, benefits are reduced for those with high rejection sensitivity, highlighting the importance of self-concept for positive appraisals in relationships.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Positive expectancies can improve relationship quality.
- However, these benefits may not apply to all individuals.
- Violated expectancies might increase negative emotions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the link between end-of-workday expectancies of a partner's mood and evening interaction quality.
- To investigate rejection sensitivity as a moderator of these expectancy effects.
- To understand how expectancy violations impact interaction experiences.
Main Methods:
- Diary data from 103 couples over 10 workdays.
- Data collected at three time points daily.
- Analysis of end-of-workday expectancies and evening interaction experiences, with rejection sensitivity as a moderator.
Main Results:
- Positive expectancies about partner attitudes correlated with more positive evening interactions.
- These associations were weaker for individuals with higher rejection sensitivity.
- Contrary to hypotheses, expectancy violations were linked to more positive, not negative, interactions.
Conclusions:
- Positive expectancies are beneficial for relationship interactions, particularly on days with negative affect.
- A healthy self-concept is crucial for individuals to benefit from optimistic appraisals.
- Rejection sensitivity can attenuate the positive effects of expectancies on relationship quality.
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