Gwendolyn Seidman

Modeling Support Provision in Intimate Relationships

Whereas supportive interactions are usually studied from the perspective of recipients alone, the authors used a dyadic design to incorporate the perspectives of both provider and recipient. In 2 daily diary studies, the authors modeled provider reports of support provision in intimate dyads over several weeks. The 1st involved couples experiencing daily stressors (n = 79); the 2nd involved couples experiencing a major professional stressor (n = 196). The authors hypothesized that factors relating to (a) recipients (their requests for support, moods, and stressful events), (b) providers (their moods and stressful events), (c) the relationship (relationship emotions and history of support exchanges), and (d) the stressor (daily vs. major stressors) would each predict daily support provision. Across both studies, characteristics of providers, recipients, and their relationship emerged as key predictors. Implications for theoretical models of dyadic support processes are discussed.

Employee job attitudes and organizational characteristics as predictors of cyberloafing

Cyberloafing is the personal use of the Internet by employees while at work. The purpose of this study is to examine whether employee job attitudes, organizational characteristics, attitudes towards cyberloafing, and other non-Internet loafing behaviors serve as antecedents to cyberloafing behaviors. We hypothesize that the employee job attitudes of job involvement and intrinsic involvement are related to cyberloafing. In addition, we hypothesize that organizational characteristics including the perceived cyberloafing of ones coworkers and managerial support for internet usage are related to cyberloafing. We also hypothesize that attitudes towards cyberloafing and the extent to which employees participate in non-Internet loafing behaviors (e.g., talking with coworkers, running personal errands) will both be related to cyberloafing. One hundred and forty-three working professional from a variety of industries were surveyed regarding their Internet usage at work. As hypothesized, the employee job attitudes of job involvement and intrinsic involvement were negatively related to cyberloafing. Also as predicted, the organizational characteristics of the perceived cyberloafing of ones coworkers and managerial support for internet usage were positively related to cyberloafing. Finally, results showed that attitudes towards cyberloafing and participation in non-Internet loafing behaviors were positively related to cyberloafing. Implications for both organizations and employees are discussed.

Why Is Enacted Social Support Associated With Increased Distress? Using Simulation to Test Two Possible Sources of Spuriousness

Although perceiving that social support is available is often associated with psychological benefits in times of stress, there is evidence that actually receiving support is associated with increased distress. To assess whether this latter association could be spurious, the authors conducted computer simulation studies to examine two theoretical models that could give rise to it. Study 1 examined a process whereby distress leads to provision of support rather than the reverse. Study 2 examined a process whereby an adverse event increases both support and distress. In both cases, substantial spurious associations were produced only when parameter values were markedly unrealistic. It was concluded that these possible sources of spuriousness are insufficient to explain the association between support and distress found in naturalistic studies.

An international perspective on Facebook intrusion.

Facebook has become one of the most popular social networking websites in the world. The main aim of the study was to present an international comparison of Facebook intrusion and Internet penetration while examining possible gender differences. The study consisted of 2589 participants from eight countries: China, Greece, Israel, Italy, Poland, Romania, Turkey, USA. Facebook intrusion and Internet penetration were taken into consideration. In this study the relationship between Facebook intrusion and Internet penetration was demonstrated. Facebook intrusion was slightly negatively related to Internet penetration in each country.

Models of interdependent individuals versus dyadic processes in relationship research

In this article, we consider the statistical models that are appropriate to understand relationship processes between two people who are in a committed relationship. Some of these processes capture inherently individual processes where individuals happen to be interrelated and others capture inherently dyadic processes. We compare several different statistical approaches to model these phenomena, including the actor–partner interdependence model, common fate model, and a dyadic score model. We compare and contrast these models using a data set on closeness and time spent together from 201 couples where one partner is distinguished by stress associated with an upcoming professional exam. The models yield results that appear to give different interpretations of the data. We discuss situations in which each model may be preferred and invite relationship researchers to model relationship data using the statistical model that matches their conceptual framework, rather than using a rigid statistical methodology.

Partner enhancement versus verification and emotional responses to daily conflict

This study investigated the moderating role of partner enhancement and verification on couples’ emotional responses to daily conflicts. Each evening for 5 weeks, 264 couples in which one partner was under stress reported whether a conflict occurred and both positive and negative relationship feelings. Partners rated each other on relationship-central and relationship-peripheral traits before the diary period, allowing us to examine the consequences of derogation (partner views more negative than self-views) and enhancement (partner views more positive than self-views) relative to verification. Derogation on both relationship-central and relationship-peripheral traits was associated with more negative conflict responses. Enhancement on relationship-peripheral traits was associated with more negative conflict responses than verification. Although not as consistent a pattern, results suggest that enhancement on relationship-central traits was beneficial.

Cultural and Personality Predictors of Facebook Intrusion: A Cross-Cultural Study

The increase in the number of users of social networking sites (SNS) has inspired intense efforts to determine intercultural differences between them. The main aim of the study was to investigate the cultural and personal predictors of Facebook intrusion. A total of 2628 Facebook users from eight countries took part in the study. The Facebook Intrusion Questionnaire, the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, and the Singelis Scale were used. We found that two variables related to Country were significantly related to Facebook intrusion: uniqueness (negatively) and low context (positively); of the personality variables, conscientiousness, and emotional stability were negatively related to the dependent variable of Facebook intrusion across different countries, which may indicate the universal pattern of Facebook intrusion. The results of the study will contribute to the international debate on the phenomenon of SNS.

Romantic Relationship-Oriented Facebook Activities and the Satisfaction of Belonging Needs.

Facebook plays a role in the development and maintenance of romantic relationships. Theoretically, individuals are motivated to use Facebook in their relationships to increase feelings of belongingness, which is a fundamental human need. Yet, past studies have neither examined the perceptions of Facebook’s influence on increasing closeness in romantic relationships, nor simultaneously examined a wide range of Facebook behaviors that involve romantic partners. Using a belongingness/connection framework, 2 studies examined associations between romantic relationship-oriented Facebook activities, relationship satisfaction, and the perceived effects of Facebook on relationships. Study 1 (N = 93) and Study 2 (N = 255) both illustrated that relationship satisfaction was positively associated with publicly displaying one’s relationship on Facebook but was negatively correlated with displaying more affection on Facebook than the participants normally display offline (excessive displays). Study 2 showed that public displays and private communication on Facebook were positively associated with the perception that Facebook had improved the relationship, and excessive displays of the relationship were perceived as beneficial only for those reporting low relationship satisfaction. Additionally, for those who experienced low levels of jealousy, monitoring was associated with perceptions that Facebook had helped their relationships. For those who experienced high levels of jealousy on Facebook, monitoring was unrelated to perceptions that Facebook improved the relationship. Findings provide evidence that feelings of disconnection from one’s partner could motivate excessive relationship displays on Facebook and that the perceived effect of Facebook on romantic relationships depends on how Facebook is used, which could promote or hinder relationship quality.

Adolescent Romantic Relationship–Oriented Facebook Behaviors: Implications for Self-Esteem:

Despite the consistent, high use of Facebook among adolescents, few studies have examined how adolescents use Facebook when forming and maintaining romantic relationships. Based on the Internet-enhanced self-disclosure hypothesis, romantic relationship–oriented Facebook behaviors are likely to relate to adolescent self-esteem. The goal of this study is to examine romantic relationship–oriented Facebook behaviors (private exchanges, monitoring, public displays, and oversharing information) between adolescents and their romantic partners or crushes, and then test how these behaviors relate to self-esteem. Data come from an online survey of adolescents from the Midwestern United States who are current Facebook users. Results demonstrated that the most common romantic relationship–oriented Facebook behavior was monitoring. Regression analyses revealed that monitoring predicted lower adolescent self-esteem. Relationship satisfaction moderated the association between self-esteem and both private exchanges and oversharing information. Implications for adolescent romantic relationship development are discussed.

The Big 5 and relationship maintenance on Facebook

The current study examined associations between the Big 5, relationship maintenance activities on Facebook (public displays and partner surveillance), and Facebook-related relationship difficulties (conflict and jealousy). Two hundred fifty-seven individuals currently involved in romantic relationships completed an online survey assessing Facebook activity and the Big 5. Greater extraversion and conscientiousness were associated with higher frequency of displays of dyadic photographs and posts on one’s own or one’s partner’s Facebook page. High extraversion, low openness, and low conscientiousness were associated with engaging in excessive public displays on Facebook. High extraversion and neuroticism were associated with greater partner surveillance and Facebook-related conflict. Neuroticism was also associated with more Facebook-induced jealousy. Surveillance mediated the associations between these two traits and these negative outcomes. Openness and conscientiousness were associated with experiencing fewer negative outcomes of Facebook use.