Rosalba Raffagnino

Assessing Relationship Satisfaction: Development and Validation of the Dyadic-Familial Relationship Satisfaction Scale

Relationship satisfaction can be defined as a complex construct that is composed of at least two different dimensions: dyadic and familial. The aim of this research was to develop and validate a scale that can measure these different dimensions of relationship satisfaction, the Dyadic-Familial Relationship Satisfaction Scale. The validity and reliability of this scale were examined through explorative and confirmative factor analyses. Known groups validity was evaluated by comparing the scores obtained on the scale by participants who belonged to clinical and nonclinical couples. Consistent with our predictions, the Dyadic-Familial Relationship Satisfaction Scale was composed of two dimensions (dyadic and familial). It showed high reliability and good convergent and discriminant validity (estimated by composite reliability and the average variance extracted). The scale showed good known groups validity. Some gender differences were found with respect to both the dyadic and the familial subscales. Results suggest that this instrument could be usefully applied in the relationship satisfaction field of research and intervention.

Psychological Predictors of Aggressive Behavior Among Men and Women

This study examined the relationships among attitude toward violence, self-esteem, emotion dysregulation, anger, and aggression in community men and women and male inmates. Overall, 166 community men, 197 community women, and 100 male inmates completed a battery of questionnaires containing self-reported measures. Self-esteem and attitude toward violence were significant predictors of aggressive behavior, with emotion dysregulation mediating the relationship between self-esteem and the criterion variable. Anger mediated the relationship between emotion dysregulation and aggressive behavior only among community people. Among men, inmates reported a more favorable attitude toward violence, lower self-esteem, higher emotion dysregulation, more aggressive behaviors, and a lower tendency to get angry. Women showed a less favorable attitude toward violence, lower self-esteem, higher emotion dysregulation, and a higher tendency for anger than men, while no differences emerged for aggressive behavior. These findings suggest that self-related constructs and emotion regulation strategies represent key processes associated with aggressive behavior among all participants, while the role of anger is more prominent in community people. To reduce aggressive tendencies, treatment and prevention interventions might increase self-esteem, emotion regulation skills, and one’s ability to direct anger toward other goals. Moreover, programs aimed at changing attitudes toward violence could be useful.

Condivisione del tempo libero e soddisfazione di coppia

La presente ricerca si propone di valutare come la condivisione del tempo libero possa influenzare la soddisfazione di coppia e come tale associazione possa variare in rapporto a fattori quali il genere dei partner, la durata della relazione e la genitorialita. A 200 coppie eterosessuali e stato somministrato un questionario volto a misurare le variabili oggetto di studio. I risultati della path analysis mostrano un’influenza diretta della durata della relazione e un’influenza indiretta (mediata dalla qualita del tempo libero condiviso) della genitorialita sulla soddisfazione diadica. Si osserva inoltre un effetto di interazione tra durata della relazione e genere dei partecipanti sulla qualita del tempo libero condiviso. Anche la soddisfazione familiare, piu elevata tra gli uomini, risulta influenzata dalla qualita del tempo libero condiviso, su cui si rileva un effetto principale della genitorialita e un effetto di interazione tra durata della relazione e genere. I risultati indicano come la qualita del tempo libero condiviso abbia un ruolo chiaro nell’influenzare la soddisfazione di coppia. Da un punto di vista applicativo si conferma l’importanza di focalizzare eventuali interventi sulle dimensioni positive caratterizzanti la vita di una coppia.