Dana A. Weiser

Self-Efficacy in Romantic Relationships: Prediction of Relationship Attitudes and Outcomes

ABSTRACT Three studies examine discriminant and predictive validity of a self-report measure of self -efficacy in romantic relationships (Self-Efficacy in Romantic Relationships; SERR). Study 1 indicates SERR scores predict relationship anxiety and expectations of relationship success when general self-efficacy, self-esteem, social desirability, and efficacy beliefs about relating to specific relationship partners are considered. Study 2 indicates SERR scores predict later relationship satisfaction and commitment when relationship type and length are considered. Study 3 indicates that SERR scores predict later relationship outcomes when other self-efficacy indicators are considered. The SERR assesses broad feelings of relationship self-efficacy, independent of specific relationships or partners.

Barack Obama vs Bristol Palin: why the President’s sex education policy wins

The federal government has exponentially increased funding for abstinence‐only sex education over the last few decades, a position supported by former vice‐presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol. Unfortunately, empirical research indicates that abstinence‐only education is ineffective and may have negative consequences for adolescents. Despite encouragement of abstinence, adolescents continue to engage in sexual relationships, indicating that a different approach to sex education should be supported. This situation raises a number of justice issues because it is important for the government to fund sex education curricula that instruct adolescents on how to protect themselves from pregnancy and STDs. The majority of parents also disagree with the federal funding of abstinence‐only education and support more comprehensive education. This indicates that funding abstinence‐only education is diametrically opposed to community sentiment. Federal funding of abstinence‐only sex education is also problematic as such policies violate a number of adolescents’ constitutional rights. Therefore, the federal government must revise its current sex education policies. President Obama’s proposed plan has the potential to overcome many of these issues associated with abstinence‐only education.

Testing a Model of Communication Responses to Relationship Infidelity

How partners communicate following a serious relationship transgression helps determine whether a relationship continues or dissolves. The current study utilized the exit-voice-loyalty-neglect (EVLN) and investment models to explore how individuals (n = 146) would communicate upon learning of a partners infidelity. Individuals were more likely to actively respond to infidelity using exit and voice in the EVLN model. As infidelity increased in seriousness, individuals were also more likely to communicate in a relationship destructive manner and less likely to respond in a relationship constructive manner. Commitment, satisfaction, investment size, and relationship length emerged as consistent predictors of communication responses.

Family Background and Propensity to Engage in Infidelity

The current study explored how a variety of family-of-origin experiences are related to individuals’ infidelity history. A survey was completed by 294 participants and we found that parental infidelity, parental marital status, parental conflict, and parental marital satisfaction were associated with the likelihood of offspring having ever engaged in infidelity. When considered together, parent infidelity and parent satisfaction were uniquely related to offspring infidelity. Additionally, parental marital status moderated the relationship between parent infidelity and offspring infidelity, as individuals who experienced neither event were particularly unlikely to have ever engaged in infidelity. Little evidence was found that individuals’ infidelity beliefs were linked with their family-of-origin experiences or their own infidelity behavior. Results indicate that family-of-origin experiences are related to individuals’ infidelity behavior, a finding that has implications for future research as well as clinical intervention.

Exploring intergenerational patterns of infidelity: Intergenerational infidelity

Three studies explored how parental infidelity is related to offspring’s infidelity behavior and used social learning theory to test potential mechanisms. In Study 1, parental infidelity was positively associated with offspring infidelity; trust and relationship self-efficacy did not mediate the association. In Study 2, infidelity was associated with parental infidelity and more positive infidelity beliefs. In Study 3, parental infidelity was positively associated with offspring infidelity. Study 3 revealed that parental infidelity is associated with offspring reports of receiving negative messages about fidelity and positive messages about infidelity from their family of origin. These communications are linked to more positive and accepting infidelity beliefs. The results of these studies support the conclusion that parent infidelity is associated with an individual’s own infidelity. Infidelity has a number of consequences for the victim, the transgressor, and their relationship. Victims of infidelity report an array of negative emotions including hurt and anger, as well as increased levels of self-doubt, depression, and anxiety (Allen et al., 2005; Becker, Sagarin, Guadagno, Millevoi, & Nicastle, 2004; Cano & O’Leary, 2000). Transgressors may also experience negative emotions such as guilt and shame, as well as psychological distress, as a result of their own infidelity (Hall & Fincham, 2009). As for the relationship, infidelity is the single most common reason for relationship dissolution in both dating relationships and marriages (Amato & Previti, 2003; Hall & Fincham, 2006). Moreover, approximately Dana A. Weiser, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University; Daniel J. Weigel, Department of Human Development and Family Studies/Cooperative Extension, University of Nevada, Reno. Study 3 of the current manuscript was completed in fulfillment of the first author’s dissertation. We thank Dr. Colleen Murray, Dr. Heidi Riggio, Dr. Gwen Hullman, and Dr. Melissa Burnham who served as members of the dissertation committee and gave extensive and helpful feedback for this program of research. Correspondence should be addressed to Dana A. Weiser, Texas Tech University, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Lubbock, TX 79409-1230, e-mail: dana.weiser@ttu.edu. 22%–25% of married men and 11%–15% of married women report having engaged in sexual infidelity (Allen et al., 2005), and 75% of male college students and 68% of female college students report having engaged in some form of infidelity in their dating relationships (Wiederman & Hurd, 1999). Infidelity is a complex behavior to study due to the numerous and diverse ways individuals may personally conceptualize infidelity. It may be broadly defined as any type of secret emotional, sexual, or romantic behavior that violates the exclusivity norms of a romantic relationship (Glass, 2002). Other researchers have focused on the presence of specific behaviors such as flirting, kissing, and sexual intercourse (Luo, Cartun, & Snider, 2010). In a recent prototype analysis, Weiser, Lalasz, Weigel, and Evans (2014) found that laypeople tend to focus less on the presence of specific behaviors and instead conceptualize infidelity in terms of the concealment of behaviors and the resulting emotional fallout. In the United States, infidelity is particularly viewed as unacceptable for romantic relationships (Druckerman, 2007; Wiederman & Allgeier, 1996), likely due to its often-hurtful nature. However, as Druckerman (2007) notes, other cultures are far more endorsing of infidelity.

Maintaining Relationships: The Role of Implicit Relationship Theories and Partner Fit

Implicit relationship beliefs provide the basis for how people understand, predict, and sustain their relationships, and such beliefs may help explain why some individuals are more motivated to engage in relationship maintenance than others. Extending past research on relationship maintenance, we investigated the role of growth and destiny relationship beliefs and partner fit in predicting the use of maintenance behaviors. Data collected from 187 romantically involved individuals revealed that a growth belief was positively associated with the use of positivity, assurances, and tasks but a destiny belief was only associated with the use of networks. The perceived degree to which one’s partner was seen as an ideal fit moderated the effects on the use of positivity, assurances, and tasks.

Commitment Messages Communicated in Families of Origin: Contributions to Relationship Commitment Attitudes

Despite the wealth of research on relationship commitment, surprisingly little has examined the contributions communication in families of origin makes to perceptions of commitment. Data from a survey of 145 individuals revealed three types of individuals based on reports of commitment-related communication in families of origin: optimist, structural-optimist, and cautious. Results revealed that these three types of individuals differed on their beliefs, models, and expectations about commitment and romantic relationships. The study contributes to our understanding of the developmental origins of perceptions of commitment in relationships and the contributions communication in families of origin makes to those perceptions.

Testing a Motivational Model of Relationship Maintenance: The Role of Approach and Avoidance Relationship Goals

Goals individuals have toward their romantic relationships may help explain why some people are more motivated to engage in relationship maintenance than others. This study tested a motivational model of relationship maintenance based on approach and avoidance goals. Data collected from 184 romantically involved individuals revealed that approach goals were associated with greater use of positivity, openness, assurance, networks, and tasks but avoidance goals were not associated with any of the maintenance behaviors. These maintenance behaviors also mediated the association between goals, satisfaction, and disillusion. These findings demonstrate that relationship goals play an important role in the relationship maintenance process.