Complex assessment of relationship quality within dyads
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 25, 2011
Maija Reblin1, Allison A Vaughn2, Wendy C Birmingham3
1Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida.
Abstract:
Higher quality relationships have been linked to improved outcomes; however, the measurement of relationship quality often ignores its complexity and the possibility of co-occurring positivity and negativity across different contexts. The goal of this study is to test the added benefit of including multiple dimensions, contexts, and perspectives of relationship quality from both individuals in predicting marital functioning. The Social Relationships Index assessed positive and negative dimensions of relationship quality under neutral, positive, and support-seeking contexts for 183 heterosexual married couples. Models showed that the inclusion of multiple dimensions of relationship quality across all three contexts improved prediction of marital functioning for both women and men. The use of multidimensional multicontextual relationship quality assessments is highly recommended.
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