• 326-01 - Latent Profiles of Time Adequacy for Work, Parenting, and Partner Roles
  Presented by: Soomi Lee, David Almeida, Kelly Davis
• 326-02 - Sense of Entitlement in Couple Relationships
  Presented by: Noa Vilchinsky, Sivan George, Rami Tolmacz, Eshkol Rafaeli, Morris Mosseri, Khaskia Abed, Hod Hanoch
• 326-03 - Couple Intimacy and Relationship Satisfaction in Long-term Marriages: A Longitudinal Study
  Presented by: Hana Yoo, Anastasia Snyder
• 326-04 - Use of Computer Mediated Communication in Romantic Relationships and Adult Attachment
  Presented by: Martha Perry, Ronald Werner-Wilson
• 326-05 - Romantic Relationships Mediated by Technology
  Presented by: Rakel Delevi, Robert Weisskirch

Abstracts

Latent Profiles of Time Adequacy for Work, Parenting, and Partner Roles

Presented by: Soomi Lee, David Almeida, Kelly Davis

The current study used latent profile analysis (LPA) to examine time adequacy for paid-work, children, and a spouse/partner in a sample of employed parents (N=880). LPA revealed three classes based on levels of time adequacy in three roles-high, moderate, and low. Multinomial logistic regression analyses suggested that quality of roles and work-to-family conflict was associated with employed parents' membership in the latent classes. Our findings suggest that work-to-family conflict is the most critical issue for the Low-Time-Pressure group, whereas lack of spouse/partner support is an essential issue for the High-Time-Pressure group.

Sense of Entitlement in Couple Relationships

Presented by: Noa Vilchinsky, Sivan George, Rami Tolmacz, Eshkol Rafaeli, Morris Mosseri, Khaskia Abed, Hod Hanoch

Sense of Entitlement (SE), the perception of what one deserves from others, is especially relevant with regard to the provision and utilization of partner care; however, no study to date has targeted SE in a dyadic context. We examined the associations among SE, distress, relationship satisfaction and support among 100 couples. Maladaptive SE was found to associate with more distress and less relationship satisfaction. Maladaptive SE and adaptive SE were found to associate differently with one's provided support, one's partner's provided support, and one's perceptions of partner's provided support. The contribution of SE to family research is discussed

Couple Intimacy and Relationship Satisfaction in Long-term Marriages: A Longitudinal Study

Presented by: Hana Yoo, Anastasia Snyder

Research consistently demonstrates that long-wed couples tend to report high levels of relationship satisfaction. However, relatively less is known about what makes couples satisfied in long-term marriages. This study examines marital relationship satisfaction among couples whose marriages lasted for more than 15 years, using data from a nationally representative sample from the National Survey of Families and Households. Couple intimacy, assessed in both emotional and sexual domains, is tested as the predictor of relationship satisfaction. The results demonstrate that spouses’ relationship satisfaction predicts their own and their partner’s emotional and sexual intimacy during the earlier phases of marriage. However, many of these associations disappear as the couples stay married longer. This study also finds that spouses’ perceived emotional and sexual intimacy predict their own, but not their partner’s, relationship satisfaction. The mediation analysis further demonstrates that spouses’ relationship satisfaction during the earlier phases of marriage predicts their own and their partner’s later relationship satisfaction (15 years later) through their own emotional and sexual intimacy. Lastly, this study finds that husbands’ and wives’ emotional intimacy does not predict their own sexual intimacy over time, and their sexual intimacy does not predict their own emotional intimacy, either. However, when the between-spouse associations are tested, wives’ sexual intimacy is significantly predicted by husbands’ emotional and sexual intimacy, while husbands’ emotional and sexual intimacy are not predicted by their wife’s intimacy. Findings support the idea that emotional and sexual intimacy are related yet distinct constructs, and are associated with relationship satisfaction in longer-term marriages. These findings also highlight the importance of dyadic analysis when studying couple relationship outcomes.

Use of Computer Mediated Communication in Romantic Relationships and Adult Attachment

Presented by: Martha Perry, Ronald Werner-Wilson

This study investigates the relationship between the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC), preference for use of CMC with a romantic partner and adult attachment. Results suggest that significant relationships exist between the use of CMC and preoccupation with and discomfort in relationships. Preference for using CMC with one’s partner is related to a need for approval, preoccupation and discomfort with relationships.

Romantic Relationships Mediated by Technology

Presented by: Rakel Delevi, Robert Weisskirch

The literature in the area of the impact of technology on romantic relationships is limited. Therefore, in this symposium, we aim at highlighting the different ways romantic relationships are now shaped by technology. Our hope is to bring awareness to researchers and clinicians of how technology is impacting the course of romantic relationships. One of the papers in this symposium (Delevi & Weisskirch) examines sexting behaviors and relationship intimacy and engagement in sexting.  In the second paper, Weisskirch and Delevi explore the use of technology in relationship dissolution.