ABSTRACT
This study extends prior research on the intergenerational transmission of relationship instability by examining parents' history of on-off relationships as a predictor of emerging adults' own cycling (i.e., breaking up and renewing with the same romantic partner). Data were collected at a large mid-western university from 702 emerging adults (18-25 years old). Multinomial logistic regression was used to predict the likelihood that participants had cycled in a past or current relationship. Results show that parental cycling increased the likelihood of offspring cycling in a past or current relationship relative to never cycling, and greater uncertainty about the future of the relationship was a mechanism through which such transmission occurred. Findings from this study demonstrate that parental relationship instability can even be consequential for the transient relationships within emerging adulthood, making family history a productive area to explore for practitioners working with cyclical partners and/or emerging adults.
Subject(s)
Intergenerational Relations , Parents , Humans , Adult , Adolescent , Young AdultABSTRACT
Divorce is considered distressing for many individuals (Sbarra et al., Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2015, 24, 109); however, individuals in poor-quality relationships may experience certain benefits of leaving an unstable union (Amato & Hohmann-Marriott, Journal of Marriage and Family, 2007, 69, 621). On-off relationship cycling, or the breakup and reconciliation of a relationship, is a salient indicator of poor relationship quality and a common form of relationship instability (Dailey et al., Personal Relationships, 2009, 16, 23) that is associated with distress (Monk et al., Family Relations, 2018, 67, 523). In line with divorce-stress-adjustment and relational turbulence theory perspectives, we hypothesized that those whose relationships were characterized by on-off instability would experience less distress during the separation and divorce process. Given gender inequality in marriage (e.g., Dempsey, Journal of Sociology, 2002, 38, 91; Monin & Clark, Sex Roles, 2011, 65, 320), we also hypothesized that this association would be more pronounced for women. Using data from 98 divorced or separating couples, we found that relationship cycling prior to the separation and divorce process was associated with fewer distress symptoms for women. Conversely, a history of relationship cycling was associated with more distress symptoms for men. Our study provides support and extends prior investigations illustrating that, for some, those in unions characterized by more turmoil, may experience relief following a termination.
El divorcio se considera angustiante para muchas personas (Sbarra et al., 2015); sin embargo, las personas que tienen relaciones de mala calidad pueden percibir ciertos beneficios al romper una unión inestable (Amato & Hohmann-Marriott, 2007). El ciclo intermitente de las relaciones, o la separación y la reconciliación de una relación, es un indicador prominente de la mala calidad de la relación y una forma común de inestabilidad relacional (Dailey et al., 2009) que está asociada con el distrés (Monk et al., 2018). En consonancia con las perspectivas de adaptación al estrés por el divorcio y de la teoría del estrés relacional, planteamos la hipótesis de que aquellas personas cuyas relaciones se caracterizaban por la inestabilidad intermitente sufrirían menos distrés durante la separación y el proceso de divorcio. Dada la desigualdad de género en el matrimonio (p. ej.: Dempsey, 2002; Monin & Clark, 2011) también planteamos la hipótesis de que esta asociación sería más marcada para las mujeres. Utilizando datos de 98 parejas divorciadas o que se estaban separando, descubrimos que el ciclo relacional anterior a la separación y al proceso de divorcio estuvo asociado con menos síntomas de distrés en las mujeres. Contrariamente, un historial de ciclo relacional se asoció con más síntomas de distrés en los hombres. Nuestro estudio ofrece respaldo y amplía investigaciones previas demostrando que algunas personas que están en uniones caracterizadas por más confusión pueden sentir alivio después de una separación.
