Applying relational turbulence theory to examine partner (under)accommodation during conversations about relational stressors

Abstract

AbstractUtilizing the prepositions of relational turbulence theory (RTT), the present study proposes that relational uncertainty and partner interference assessed before the conversation about a relational stressor may polarize perceptions of partner (under)accommodation during the conversation, and those perceptions may further associate with global evaluations of relationships as turbulent measured post conversation. Fifty heterosexual couples (100 individuals) participated in the pre‐survey, lab visit, and post‐survey. Findings uncovered that for men, perceptions of partner (under)accommodation mediated the association between relational uncertainty and relational turbulence, and perceptions of partner accommodation mediated the association between partner interference and relational turbulence. Further, for women, perceptions of partner underaccommodation mediated the association between relational partner interference and relational turbulence. The results extend the utility of RTT in examining perceptions of partners' (under)accommodative behaviors during conversations about relational stressors.