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Let it go: Relationship autonomy predicts pro-relationship responses to partner transgressions
Benjamin W Hadden1, Zachary G Baker1, C Raymond Knee1
1University of Houston.
Journal of Personality
|November 25, 2017
Summary
Relationship autonomy, or self-determined commitment, predicts positive responses to relationship transgressions. Partner autonomy also fosters forgiveness and accommodation, enhancing relationship resilience.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Relationship Science
- Intrapersonal Psychology
Background:
- Relationship commitment can be based on autonomous (self-determined) or controlled (external pressure) reasons.
- Understanding factors that promote constructive responses to relationship conflict is crucial for relationship maintenance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of relationship autonomy in fostering pro-relationship responses to transgressions.
- To examine how both individual and partner relationship autonomy influence forgiveness and accommodation.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional and weekly diary designs (N=471) assessed associations between relationship autonomy and pro-relationship responses.
- Dyadic designs (N=950 individuals in 475 couples) further examined actor and partner effects of relationship autonomy.
Main Results:
- Relationship autonomy consistently predicted pro-relationship responses to general and specific transgressions.
- Actor-partner interdependence models confirmed that both one's own and partner's relationship autonomy promote pro-relationship responses.
- Individuals perceive partners with higher relationship autonomy as responding more constructively to transgressions.
Conclusions:
- The self-determination underlying relationship commitment is a significant predictor of constructive responses to transgressions.
- Relationship autonomy offers unique insights into relationship functioning beyond general commitment levels.
- Fostering autonomy within romantic relationships may enhance partners' ability to navigate conflict effectively.
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