An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model of Irritations in Romantic Relationships

Authors:

• Jennifer A. Theiss (Rutgers University)
• Leanne K. Knobloch (Univ of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)

Abstract:

This study examined the ways in which actors' appraisals of relational irritations were influenced by their own and their partner's perceptions of relationship characteristics. Individuals and their romantic partners completed questionnaires about the characteristics of their relationship once per week for six weeks. Results of the longitudinal study indicated that the severity of relational irritations was positively associated with one's own perceptions of relational uncertainty and interference from partners. In addition, a partners' relational uncertainty, relational irritations, and directness of communication about irritations were positively associated with the severity of actor's relational irritations after controlling for the actor's own perceptions of relationship characteristics. Our findings highlight the complex interdependence that exists between partners who are negotiating a romantic relationship.