Machine learning uncovers the most robust self-report predictors of relationship quality across 43 longitudinal couples studies.

Given the powerful implications of relationship quality for health and well-being, a central mission of relationship science is explaining why some romantic relationships thrive more than others. This large-scale project used machine learning (i.e., Random Forests) to 1) quantify the extent to which relationship quality is predictable and 2) identify which constructs reliably predict relationship quality. Across 43 dyadic longitudinal datasets from 29 laboratories, the top relationship-specific predictors of relationship quality were perceived-partner commitment, appreciation, sexual satisfaction, perceived-partner satisfaction, and conflict. The top individual-difference predictors were life satisfaction, negative affect, depression, attachment avoidance, and attachment anxiety. Overall, relationship-specific variables predicted up to 45% of variance at baseline, and up to 18% of variance at the end of each study. Individual differences also performed well (21% and 12%, respectively). Actor-reported variables (i.e., own relationship-specific and individual-difference variables) predicted two to four times more variance than partner-reported variables (i.e., the partner's ratings on those variables). Importantly, individual differences and partner reports had no predictive effects beyond actor-reported relationship-specific variables alone. These findings imply that the sum of all individual differences and partner experiences exert their influence on relationship quality via a person's own relationship-specific experiences, and effects due to moderation by individual differences and moderation by partner-reports may be quite small. Finally, relationship-quality change (i.e., increases or decreases in relationship quality over the course of a study) was largely unpredictable from any combination of self-report variables. This collective effort should guide future models of relationships.

Social isolation and subclinical vascular pathways to cerebrovascular disease.

Social isolation and lack of social support are risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD). This study explored the relationship between measures of social support and subclinical measures of CVD risk. 58 healthy adults ages 18 to 85 years participated in this study. The Berkman-Syme Social Network Inventory (SNI) was used to assess social isolation, with higher scores signifying less isolation. Social support was defined using the 12-Item Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL-12) with a higher score signifying higher social support. Subclinical CVD measures included carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), carotid beta-stiffness index, and middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index. Path analysis models for both the SNI and ISEL appraisal domain predicting cfPWV and cerebrovascular pulsatility fit the data well. Path analyses showed significant direct paths from the SNI (ß = -.363, t = -2.91) and ISEL appraisal domain (ß = -.264, t = -2.05) to cfPWV. From cfPWV, both models revealed significant direct paths to carotid stiffness (ß = .488, t = 4.18) to carotid pulse pressure (ß = .311, t = 2.45) to MCA pulsatility (ß = .527, t = 4.64). Social isolation and appraisal of social support are related to unfavorably higher aortic stiffness, with subsequent detrimental effects on cerebrovascular hemodynamic pulsatility.

Discrimination is not just Black and White in romantic relationships: A consideration of perspective taking and self-expansion.

Interracial relationships can satisfy our human need for interpersonal bonds, but face adversity due to racial discrimination. This adversity is not parallel for the involved partners, however, in ways that have implications for relationship outcomes. As such, in the current research, we considered that discrimination may provide an avenue for positive self-expansion for a White partner, insofar as they use it to learn more about their partner's worldview and experience. This is important, as facing racial discrimination could be a reason White partners think about ending their relationship. Thus, identifying processes that mitigate adversity for the White partner could bolster relationship outcomes for both partners and enhance persistence in interracial relationships. Specifically, we tested whether White partners engaging in perspective taking could buffer against the negativity of discrimination. In Study 1 (N = 260), we found that perspective taking was associated with feeling the relationship expanded one's worldview for White partners in interracial relationships (but not for Black or non-White Hispanic partners). In Studies 2-4 (N = 531), we found that partners who engaged in perspective taking when discrimination was salient experienced greater positive self-expansion, which in turn led to greater reports of relationship quality. Collectively, these results suggest that perspective taking provides one process by which interracial relationships can be fortified against the adversity of racial discrimination. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The Reasons People Think About Staying and Leaving Their Romantic Relationships: A Mixed-Method Analysis.

Across three studies (total N = 993) with diverse methodologies (i.e., experimental studies, longitudinal in vivo sampling), we found that there are distinct reasons why individuals believe their romantic relationship will become, or did become, less committed, and reasons why individuals believe their relationships will become, or became, more committed. Whereas the strongest endorsed reasons to stay (e.g., satisfaction) are the same as the strongest endorsed reasons to leave (e.g., dissatisfaction), there are many constructs that are more strongly endorsed as either leave reasons (e.g., quality of alternatives) or stay reasons (e.g., love). These reasons are important glimpses into the process that occurs when someone is deciding whether to stay or leave a relationship, and results empirically confirm a core tenet of Interdependence Theory that until now has been only theoretical (i.e., some outcomes contribute more motivation to staying in the current relationship, whereas others contribute more motivation to leaving).

The Diverging Effects of Need Fulfillment Obtained from Within and Outside of a Romantic Relationship.

People have diverse psychological needs that they seek to have fulfilled to maximize their well-being. Romantic relationships are the primary source individuals use for need fulfillment, but fulfillment can come from other sources as well-friends, family, strangers, vocation, and recreation. Whereas having a bevy of available sources puts individuals at an advantage in terms of ensuring their needs are met, which source they utilize may ironically decrease the quality of their valued romantic relationship. Across three studies (total N = 5,169) with diverse methodologies (i.e., nationally representative, cross-sectional, longitudinal), we found that when people achieve psychological need fulfillment from sources other than their romantic partner, they view their relationship less positively (Study 1), perceive greater quality of alternatives to their romantic relationship, and think more about ending the relationship (Studies 2 and 3). Demonstrating robustness, these associations hold independent of the amount of fulfillment provided by the romantic partner.

Self-other overlap: A unique predictor of willingness to work with people with disability as part of one's career.

BACKGROUND: People with disability (PWD) often rely on others, both for direct support and for the creation of enabling environments to meet their needs. This need makes it crucial for professionals to be willing to work with PWD, and for people to pursue careers that focus on supporting PWD. OBJECTIVES: To explore self-other overlap as a unique predictor of willingness to work with PWD as part of one's career, using three studies. METHODS: Studies 1 and 2 used cross-sectional surveys of college undergraduates to explore: 1. whether an association between self-other overlap and willingness to work with PWD exists, and 2. whether self-other overlap is a unique predictor, controlling for attitudes and empathy. Study 3 investigated whether self-other overlap is associated with the groups with whom the students indicated they want (and do not want) to work as part of their career. RESULTS: Across the three studies, self-other overlap was uniquely associated with students' willingness to work with PWD as part of one's profession, even when controlling for attitudes and empathy. CONCLUSIONS: Self-other overlap may be an important additional factor to take into consideration when developing interventions targeted toward promoting working with PWD.