Michael R. Langlais

Characterizing Mother’s Dating After Divorce

Mothers dating after divorce is a dynamic process, where not all mothers date the same way after divorce. However, few studies have examined the different ways that mothers date after divorce, which should influence maternal well-being, risk behaviors, and the quality of their relationships. This study characterizes four different approaches to mothers’ repartnering (referred to as repartnering histories): no dating, dating one partner monogamously, dating multiple partners serially, and dating multiple partners simultaneously. Each repartnering history is characterized by demographic variables, relationship quality, and maternal well-being. Implications of the study are discussed.

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.

Mothers’ Dating after Divorce

Abstract Purpose The goal of this chapter is to examine (1) how children’s rapport with dating partners predicts mothers’ dating stability; (2) how characteristics of dating partners are associated with children’s problem behaviors; and (3) how mothers’ lingering attachment to the former spouse predicts relationship quality of dating relationships. Methodology/approach Data comes from a multimethod, multi-informant longitudinal study of postdivorce dating relationships (N = 319 mothers, n = 178 children, n = 153 dating partners). Hierarchical linear modeling techniques were used to test consequences of breakup of mothers’ dating relationships for children’s behaviors, children’s rapport with dating partners for mothers’ dating relationship stability, and mothers’ lingering attachment for quality of dating relationships. Findings We found that children’s rapport with dating partners was positively associated with dating breakup; more antisocial traits and drunkenness of mothers’ dating partners was positively associated with children’s problem behaviors at breakup; and lingering attachment was positively associated with poorer relationship quality with dating partners. Research limitations/implications Because the focus of this chapter is divorced mothers with children, future studies are recommended to examine fathers’ postdivorce dating relationships. Future research should delineate dating, cohabiting, and remarried relationships after divorce. Originality/value This chapter presents empirical data examining the influence children have on mothers’ dating relationships, the influence of mothers’ dating relationships on children’s behaviors, and the effects of mothers’ lingering attachment to the former spouse on quality of mothers’ dating relationships. Information from this research is crucial for researchers and practitioners to assist mother’s and children’s postdivorce adjustment.

Differentiating declining commitment and breakup using commitment to wed

ABSTRACT The relationship literature describes that declining commitment leads to breakup. The goal of this article is to distinguish declining commitment and breakup to clarify this claim to better understand relationship processes. Data comes from a longitudinal study of heterosexual dating couples (N = 180). Both individuals in the relationship independently graphed changes in commitment to wed their partner and reported reasons for each change monthly for eight consecutive months. Frequency and intensity of decreased interaction, relational uncertainty, and alternative partners were measured across periods of stability (increased or stable levels of commitment to wed) and declining commitment (decreased commitment to wed that was at least one month in duration). Hierarchical linear models revealed that more frequent reports of these characteristics were associated with declining commitment rather than stability. Using survival analyses, intensity of each characteristic predicted breakup versus declining commitment. Implications for relationship processes are discussed.

Accommodating Different Learning Styles Using YouTube: An Approach to Helping Students Understand Ecological Systems Theory

Theories of the family, specifically ecological systems theory, can be difficult for students to grasp, particularly when instructors only use lecture methods. The activity this article discusses proposes a personalized experiential learning activity that appeals to students with various learning styles. The activity should help all students understand and apply early models of ecological systems theory, which includes microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. After discussing each subsystem and bi-directional influences between individuals and the environment with students, instructors have students watch a popular YouTube video portraying family conflict or support. Students work in pairs or small groups to analyze family behavior depicted in the video, according to each ecological systems theory subsystem. Students write responses and discuss them with the class. Formal and informal evaluations conducted after using this YouTube-based approach demonstrate students’ understanding and retention of, and interest in, ecological systems theory.

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.

Experiential Learning in Family Life Education Methodology: Low, Medium, and High Dosage Projects

Background: Family Life Education Methodology (FLEM) is an integral component of the family science collegiate curriculum. Given the range of topics and that material is not immediately interesting to students, teaching FLE courses is consistently reported as difficult. Purpose: The goal of this study is to evaluate an experiential learning approach to FLEM that addresses these pedagogical issues by expanding on the low, medium, and high dosage projects as proposed by Vaterlaus and Asay. Methodology/Approach: This approach was implemented with four FLEM classes in a midsize university (N = 120). Students completed a low, medium, and high dosage project throughout each course, and completed written evaluations after each project, which were analyzed using qualitative analysis. Findings/Conclusions: Students reported multiple benefits for each project. The low dosage project was associated with learning what FLEM is, finding, and building on passions. The medium dosage project was associated with tangible and self-learning. The high dosage project was associated with outside learning and making a difference in the community. Implications: The proposed approach utilized multiple opportunities for experiential learning that appear beneficial for student learning. Replication is needed in other collegiate contexts to validate the approach.

Divorced Young Adult Mothers’ Experiences of Breakup: Benefits and Drawbacks

The goal of the current study is to examine the consequences of postdivorce dating breakup for young adult divorced mothers, ages 21–29. First, we hypothesized that breakup would be negatively related to maternal well-being. Second, we predicted that relationship quality would moderate this relationship. Third, we hypothesized that forming and maintaining new subsequent relationships after breakup would promote maternal well-being. Using monthly surveys completed by young adult divorced mothers over a 2-year period after divorce (N = 51), we used hierarchical linear modeling techniques to test the changes in intercept and slope of breakup for maternal well-being. The event of breakup did not predict the changes in maternal well-being, whereas remaining single after breakup was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Relationship quality and forming subsequent romantic relationships after breakup did not predict the changes in maternal well-being. Implications for maternal adjustment are discussed.