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Prayer and satisfaction with sacrifice in close relationships
Abstract
Three studies document the effect of prayer on satisfaction with sacrifice in close relationships. Study 1 (n = 771) demonstrated that prayer for partner predicted later satisfaction with sacrifice. In Study 2 couples discussed a disagreement and then prayed or engaged in a control activity. Praying increased satisfaction with sacrifice, couple identity and emergent goals, both of which mediated the relationship between prayer for partner and sacrifice. Study 3 (n = 37) showed that objective observers rated those who were randomly assigned to pray for a partner over a four-week period as being more satisfied with sacrifice than those who daily engaged in positive thoughts about their partner.
... Unity is another relational health variable that has been commonly assessed in the prayer literature. Unity frequently refers to "a measure of emotional 'oneness' of a couple or a group" expressed in shared values, beliefs, goals, experiences, practices, and so forth (Lambert, Fincham, LaVallee, & Brantley, 2012, p. 2) and has been operationally defined as trust (i.e., interpersonal belief in the reliability and trustworthiness of another; Rempel et al., 1985) and commitment (i.e., dedication to the relationship; Fincham & Beach, 2014;Lambert, Fincham, LaVallee, et al., 2012) and satisfaction with sacrifice for the couple identity and reduction in conflicting goals (Lambert, Fincham, & Stanley, 2012). In the literature, trust has often been measured using items developed by Rempel et al. (1985), whereas commitment has been measured using the four-item Commitment Inventory (Stanley & Markman, 1992). ...
... er predicted future relational health. Fincham et al. (2008) found that partner-focused prayer predicted relationship satisfaction but not vice versa. found that partner-focused prayer predicted future extradyadic romantic behavior (e.g., infidelity) beyond the predictive value of relationship satisfaction or previous extradyadic romantic behavior . Lambert, Fincham, and Stanley (2012) found that partner-focused prayer predicted unity in the form of satisfaction with sacrifice. ...
... Studies most often involved romantic partners, including married and not married couples, but some studies only required participants to pray for their most important interpersonal relationship, which might be a romantic partner (studies from Lambert, Fincham, LaVallee, et al., 2012), a close friend (Study 2 from , or a close friend or romantic target (Studies from Lambert et al., 2013). Lambert, Fincham, and Stanley (2012) specifically assessed whether or not the type of close relationship moderated the effects and found that it did not. All romantic couples appeared to be heterosexual couples. ...
This meta-analysis aimed to assess the relational health correlates and intervention effects of partner-focused prayer. Database, backward, and forward searches yielded 1,932 works, resulting in the inclusion of 20 correlational and 17 experimental studies. Standard meta-analytic methods were employed for data analysis. Correlational results showed a significant, small-to-medium, heterogeneous association of partner-focused prayer with relational health (n = 20, r = .215, 95% CI [.174, .255], p < .001, I² = 0.50). Metaregression showed that marital status and age moderated this association, with partner-focused prayer having larger association for older married couples. The results of experiments on partner-focused prayer compared with passive controls showed a significant, medium, homogeneous effect on relational health outcomes (n = 6, d = .474, 95% CI [.263, .686], p < .001, I² = 0.00). Compared with active controls (e.g., thinking positive thoughts about partner or prayer, not specifically for partner), partner-focused prayer showed a significant, medium, homogeneous effect on relational health outcomes (n = 11, d = .582, 95% CI [.405, .759], p < .001, I = 0.00). Of the relational health outcomes, fostering forgiveness (d = .723) and preventing infidelity (d = .742) were the most affected. Overall, partner-focused prayer holds promise as a simple and effective practice to improve relational health outcomes in close relationships. Future research would benefit from focus on partner-focused prayer with adults of all ages, married samples, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and other participants.
... They discuss how these times of prayer may draw attention to both short and long term shared goals rather than personal goals. A similar study examining satisfaction with sacrifice in close relationships revealed comparable results (Lambert, Fincham, & Stanley, 2012). 6 Those that prayed for someone close to them were more satisfied with sacrifices made on that person's behalf. ...
... 6 Those that prayed for someone close to them were more satisfied with sacrifices made on that person's behalf. This finding may be interpreted through goal theory as a movement from individual goals to couple goals in which the individual is more satisfied with sacrifices made on behalf of his or her partner because they serve such joint goals (Lambert, Fincham, & Stanley, 2012). Lambert et al. (2013) further support goal theory with five studies that find that prayer for a partner promotes cooperative behavior with that partner 7 . ...
... Various mechanisms influencing this relationship have been proposed-some with a good degree of support (e.g., goal theory; Fincham & Beach, 1999;Lambert, Fincham, LaVallee, et al., 2012;Lambert, Fincham, & Stanley, 2012), others with little or none (e.g., moral intuitions)-and many of these proposed mechanisms are not mutually exclusive (e.g., sanctification and self-control). Indeed, they may overlap considerably. ...
The practice of prayer is common to many individuals across religious traditions. Research investigating the effects of prayer has also identified a relationship between prayer and prosocial behavior. Though several studies support this relationship, the precise mechanisms by which prayer may influence prosocial behavior are less clear. The present paper critically reviews evidence for theorized mechanisms that link intercessory prayer to prosocial behavior and uses Leffel’s model of spiritual transformation as an organizing framework. Despite the existence of several studies exploring prayer’s effects, the present review brings to light the need for further investigation in order to understand the specific effects intercessory prayer has on various psychological constructs. In particular, much further research is needed to discern how prayer may produce diverse effects, prayer’s effects on intuitive cognition, and how religious beliefs and motivations may influence the effects of prayer.
... Lastly, religious/spiritual communities refer to the relationship with social networks of couples, which also contribute to marital quality since a community can be a source of support for the couples (Aman et al., 1975;Olson et al., 2015). In other words, the role of religion and prayer motivate couples to resolve couple conflicts, increase the inclination to forgive each other (Lambert et al., 2012;Fincham & May, 2017;Mahoney, 2010). Further, religious beliefs assist the couples to consider each other needs, encourage them to be loving, forgiving, supportive, and treat each other respectfully (Fincham & Beach, 2014). ...
... The current study also suggested that couples, who attended religious service and shared religious values, were more likely to be satisfied with their marriages. As explained by the relationship spirituality framework, religiosity may help develop a stable individual character that possesses forgiveness, acceptance, tolerance, and loving (Lambert et al., 2012;Mahoney, 2010). Additionally, belonging to a religious community can be considered as social support. ...
The current study set out to examine the influence of religiosity on the relationship between interracial Black-White (IBW) couples’ perceived discrimination and marital satisfaction. Data from 178 Black-White couples were used to test a common fate moderation model. Results revealed a negative association between partners’ perceived discrimination and marital satisfaction. Also, White partners’ religiosity was found to moderate the effects of discrimination on satisfaction, whereby a higher level of religiosity contributed to higher satisfaction when couples experienced discrimination. Results suggested that religiosity may be an important resource to help Black-White couples manage discrimination stress.
... This behavior may help individuals feel proactive in regard to extradyadic stress and thereby decrease the negative impact of such stress on their behavior toward their partner (and subsequent intradyadic stress). Such coping has already been identified as a predictor of relationship behaviors and feelings about relationship behaviors (Lambert, Fincham, & Stanley, 2012b). Self-focused petitionary prayer is linked to health (Ferguson, Willemsen, & Castañeto, 2010), but in the context of couples, partner-focused petitionary prayer has been identified as a form of coping that predicts later commitment and relationship quality (Fincham & Beach, 2014). ...
... The researchers focused on a sample of African American couples in their second study, again demonstrating effects in a population in which prayer is entrenched in cultural values and daily life. Lambert, Fincham, and Stanley (2012b) were also able to apply this intervention in the context of conflict, a common source of daily intradyadic stress. Individuals assigned to PFPP (or prayer for their close friend) were more satisfied with sacrifice for their relationship. ...
Burgeoning research investigating the effects of daily stress on romantic relationships has paved the way for identifying a variety of means of buffering the negative effects of stress. This article reviews the literature on stress spillover from outside the relationship (extradyadic) on relationship behaviors for both partners to stress inside the relationship, or intradyadic stress, as well as crossover of stress from one partner to another. Analysis of studies on daily stress spillover and crossover in dyads highlights mediators and moderators that can shape future research. Finally, an area central to the life of many people, religious beliefs and behaviors is considered. A meaning‐making process is identified, partner‐focused petitionary prayer, that could buffer the spillover of extradyadic stress on intradyadic stress, as well as the crossover to partner stress, ultimately having an impact on relationship outcomes. The potential to develop interventions around existing daily behaviors is explored.
... Religious worship takes different forms in various religions of the world, one of the most essential of which is prayer (Lambert, Fincham, Stillman, Graham, & Beach, 2010). Prayer is a common phenomenon (Lambert, Fincham, Dewall, Pond, & Beach, 2013) and an important activity (Lambert, Fincham, & Stanley, 2012) in most religions of the world. Special emphasis is placed on prayer in Islam. ...
The aim of the present study was to determine the role of sanctification of marriage and prayer for the spouse in reducing marital infidelity. The present study was a causal-comparative study design. Two hundred and twenty-three individuals were selected as the sample through the available sampling method among those referred to three counselling centres in the city of Tehran, Iran. To evaluate the variables, the Prayer for the Spouse Questionnaire, the Manifestation of God in Marriage Scale and the Infidelity Scale were used. For data analysis, descriptive and regression analyses were used. The results indicated that sanctification of marriage and prayer for the spouse are negatively correlated with marital infidelity. The study findings also indicated that sanctification of marriage and prayer for the spouse can be considered as suitable predictive factors for reducing the probability of individuals’ engagement in marital infidelity.
... Aynı zamanda kişinin fedakârlık davranışında bulunma motivasyonunu pekiştirmektedir (Kogan vd., 2010). Yapılan araştırmalar ilişki kalitesi, kendini açma, adanmışlık (Stanley ve Markman, 1992;Van Lange vd., 1997) gibi ilişki dinamikleri ile partnerin ve ilişkinin iyi oluşu için dua etme gibi dinsel pratiklerin (Lambert, Fincham ve Stanley, 2012) fedakârlıktan alınan doyumla pozitif yönde ilişkili olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Türkiye'de de fedakârlığı ve fedakârlıktan alınan doyumu incelemeye dönük çeşitli araştırmaların yapıldığı görülmektedir. ...
The first aim of this study was to explore which kind of sacrifice behaviours are performed in marital relationship and whether or not they differentiate into gender. The second was to examine the relationship between satisfaction with sacrifice and agapic love, and the mediating effect of transformative power of suffering on this relationship. Data were collected from 318 married individuals. The findings based on the first aim of this study revealed that sacrifice behaviours were grouped under two themes, daily sacrifices (such as errands, communication and interaction) and major sacrifices (such as changing job and home city). The findings based on the second aim of this study showed that there were positive relationships between agapic love, transformative power of suffering, and satisfaction with sacrifice. Also, it was found that agapic love directly and indirectly (through the mediating effect of transformative power of suffering) predicted satisfaction with sacrifice.
... In both laboratory-and field-based experiments, Lambert et al. (2012b) found that individuals assigned to petitionary prayer for their partner (or close friend) were more satisfied with sacrifice for their relationship, even in comparison to individuals instructed to engage daily in positive thought about their partner. Such findings support the benefits of PFPP for coping with marital stress, and prayer in general as a potential means of promoting relationship functioning and cardiovascular health. ...
This study examined daily partner-focused petitionary prayer (PFPP) on relationship communication and quality as well as novel indices of cardiovascular functioning in a sample of 90 adults. PFPP was compared to waitlist and meditation conditions over a 4-week period. Aortic hemodynamics via pulse wave analysis were assessed before and after the intervention. Factorial repeated measures analyses indicated that for those in the prayer condition, there were significant improvements in coronary perfusion, decreased left ventricular work, and increased coronary blood flow. Additionally, the perceived positive aspects of one’s relationship improved for those in the prayer condition. Similar changes did not occur in waitlist and meditation conditions. Findings suggest that daily PFPP improves relationship quality and cardiovascular efficiency via improving protective cardiovascular mechanisms. Practical implications are briefly discussed.
... In a relationship context, outward prayers such as partnerfocused petitionary prayer have been associated with relationship satisfaction (Fincham, Beach, Lambert, Stillman, & Braithwaite, 2008), satisfaction with sacrifice (Lambert, Fincham, & Stanley, 2012), increase in forgiveness (Lambert, Fincham, Stillman, Graham, & Beach, 2010), and commitment . Likewise, praying together has been found to be associated with trust and unity (Lambert, Fincham, LaVallee, & Brantley, 2012). ...
In the present article we explored how family prayer reportedly influenced family relationships. We conceptualized family prayer as a family ritual in religious families and used a qualitative methodology to interview a religiously, ethnically, and geographically diverse sample of 198 families ( N = 476). Analysis of data revealed 7 related themes. Family prayer served important functions and influenced relationships in various ways including (a) as a time of family togetherness and interaction; (b) as a space for social support; and (c) as a means for intergenerational transmission of religion. Further, family prayer (d) involved issues and concerns of individuals and the family; (e) helped reduce relational tensions; (f) provided feelings of connectedness, unity, and bonding. Finally, (g) families struggled to pray together when there was disunity. Implications, applications, and future directions are addressed.
... Sample items include: I pray for the well-being of my romantic partner; I pray that good things will happen for my partner." This instrument was used in previous studies (Fincham, Lambert, & Beach, 2010;Lambert, Fincham, & Stanley, 2012). ...
This study examined the mediating effects of relationship satisfaction, prayer for a partner, and morbidity in the relationship between attachment and loneliness, infidelity and loneliness, and psychological morbidity and loneliness, in college students involved in a romantic relationship. Participants were students in an introductory course on family development. This study examined only students (n = 345) who were involved in a romantic relationship. The average age of participants was 19.46 (SD = 1.92) and 25 % were males. Short-form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8), (Hays and DiMatteo in J Pers Assess 51:69-81, doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa5101_6, 1987); Relationship Satisfaction Scale (Funk and Rogge in J Fam Psychol 21:572-583, doi:10.1037/0893-3200.21.4.572, 2007); Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (De Haes et al. in Measuring the quality of life of cancer patients with the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL): a manual, Northern Centre for Healthcare Research, Groningen, 1996); Prayer for Partner Scale, (Fincham et al. in J Pers Soc Psychol 99:649-659, doi:10.1037/a0019628, 2010); Infidelity Scale, (Drigotas et al. in J Pers Soc Psychol 77:509-524, doi:10.1037/0022-3514.77.3.509, 1999); and the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale-short form (Wei et al. in J Couns Psychol 52(4):602-614, doi:, 2005). Results showed that relationship satisfaction mediated the relationship between avoidance attachment and loneliness and between infidelity and loneliness. Physical morbidity mediated the relationship between anxious attachment and psychological morbidity. Psychological morbidity mediated the relationship between anxious attachment and physical morbidity. The present results expand the literature on attachment by presenting evidence that anxious and avoidant partners experience loneliness differently. Implications for couple's therapy are addressed. Future research should replicate these results with older samples and married couples.
... For example, individuals who are highly committed to their relationship are more likely to sacrifice their self-interest in that relationship (Van Lange, Rusbult, et al., 1997) and less likely to perpetrate close relationship violence (Gaertner & Foshee, 1999; Slotter et al., 2012). Likewise, satisfaction with sacrifice is related to having a stronger sense of couple identity (Lambert, Fincham, & Stanley, 2012 ). Thus, believing that one can work toward the long-term well-being of a relationship may relate to individuals experiencing greater satisfaction with making sacrifices for their relationship partners. ...
People differ in what they think makes for a successful relationship, but it is unclear how these beliefs relate to the perpetration of violence. Four studies (N = 2,591) examined the relationship between growth beliefs and the perpetration of violence in close relationships. Specifically, the current work tested the hypothesis that growth beliefs mitigate against close relationship violence, possibly due to increased satisfaction with sacrificing one's own self-interest for the betterment of the relationship. Studies 1 and 2 provided cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence that growth beliefs predicted less perpetration of close relationship violence. Studies 3 and 4 showed that the relationship between growth beliefs and lower perpetration of violence was mediated by satisfaction with sacrifice within one's relationship. All effects of growth beliefs remained significant after controlling for destiny beliefs. Discussion centers on the importance of implicit theories of relationships for understanding the perpetration of violence in close relationships.
We conducted a systematic review of research on relational sacrifices in romantic relationships from 2002 to 2021 [N = 115 studies] to answer three questions: Q1: Whose voices and vantage points are represented in the research?; Q2: What types of questions are valued?; Q3: What are the reflections and connections about relational sacrifices that were learned during the review? To address Q1, we coded sample demographics of study participants on geographical location, race/ethnicity, education/income/SES, gender (i.e., gender differences explored and beyond gender binaries), sexual orientation, age, and disability, using a coding system of 1 (exclusion/absence) to 5 (focus on context‐relevant experiences for underrepresented samples). Results for Q1 showed that the most frequent codes were 1 (exclusion/absence) for information about the samples' disability status, education/income/SES, and both codes for gender (i.e., gender differences explored and beyond gender binaries); when demographic information was reported, the most frequent codes were 2 (compensatory addition) for age, sexual orientation, geographical location, and race/ethnicity. To address Q2, we coded for aspects of the study designs and conceptual dimensions of sacrifice. Results for Q2 showed that a majority of the studies in our review used quantitative and close‐ended measures emphasizing behavioral frequency of sacrifice. For Q3, we include our own reflections and connections about relational sacrifices, questioning research methods, and challenging assumptions drawn from existing research to move toward a more inclusive science.
In this study, we aimed to review the literature on the relationship between religiosity and intimate relationship functioning. Since religious approaches put the relationship and the life of the couple in a broader perspective and give it a special character, religiosity may have a significant influence on the relationship of religious couples. Scientific research in recent years has widely confirmed the long-standing observation that religiosity is manifested in the relationship of religious couples, and this is reflected in both positive and negative aspects. In a positive context, religiosity plays a supportive role in relationships and has a positive effect on the stability and quality of the relationship as well as on the physical and psychological well-being of the couple and other family members. We present three theoretical frameworks which, in the past few years, have greatly contributed to understanding the effects of religiosity on relationships and facilitated the clarification of the diverse context of the topic. These are 1) the role of sanctification 2) marital relationship as a way of being religious and 3) marriage and religiosity as attachment-based phenomena. As a conclusion , we evaluate the major strengths and biases of the existing research, and theorize and suggest future domains for investigation.
O presente artigo buscou compreender as percepções de professores universitários acerca da sua satisfação conjugal (SC), bem como da influência que o trabalho exerce sobre a sua conjugalidade. Realizou-se um estudo de natureza qualitativa, por meio de entrevistas a seis docentes (três de cada sexo e idades variando de 34-50 anos). A análise de conteúdo das entrevistas gerou três categorias: (i) SC: Definição e Avaliação; (ii) Sobre as rotinas de trabalho próprio e do(a) companheiro(a); e (iii) Relação Conjugalidade - Trabalho Docente. Verificou-se que a SC foi definida a partir de diferentes elementos (companheirismo, sexualidade, confiança) e que foi avaliada positivamente pelos docentes. A rotina de trabalho (própria e do/a companheiro/a) foi descrita como bastante intensa, limitando o tempo destinado à vida conjugal e familiar. A distância física, o tempo passado longe dos filhos e do/a cônjuge e a necessidade de levar trabalho para casa foram mencionados como obstáculos à SC. Conclui-se que se constitui um desafio para esse profissional tentar conciliar vida conjugal/familiar e trabalho, duas esferas centrais ao bem-estar humano.
The aim of the present study was to determine the role of sanctification of marriage and prayer for the spouse in reducing marital infidelity. The present study was a causal-comparative study design. Two hundred and twenty-three individuals were selected as the sample through the available sampling method among those referred to three counselling centres in the city of Tehran, Iran. To evaluate the variables, the Prayer for the Spouse Questionnaire, the Manifestation of God in Marriage Scale and the Infidelity Scale were used. For data analysis, descriptive and regression analyses were used. The results indicated that sanctification of marriage and prayer for the spouse are negatively correlated with marital infidelity. The study findings also indicated that sanctification of marriage and prayer for the spouse can be considered as suitable predictive factors for reducing the probability of individuals’ engagement in marital infidelity.
Although prayer is central to most religions, little is known about its impact on family life. This chapter therefore describes a theoretical framework for investigating prayer and a programme of research on colloquial, intercessory prayer for an intimate other. This type of prayer was shown to increase relationship protective factors by facilitating forgiveness and sacrificing selfish interests for the good of the partner and the relationship. Similarly, it decreased relationship risk factors by lowering the rate of infidelity. The implications of these findings for preventive interventions, couple counselling and social policy are outlined. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the limitations of the research described and the challenges of implementing spiritually or religiously infused relationship interventions.
One of the major challenges involved in the transition to parenthood is maintaining a high quality relationship between the child’s parents or guardians. The research of Dr. John Gottman, who based his research on observations of hundreds of couples interacting with each other, is used as a foundation for discussing key concepts and principles in maintaining relationship quality. His concepts and ideas are subsumed under two three-part models, the first of which includes “maximizing positive affect,” “regulating conflict constructively,” and “avoiding development or escalation of destructive patterns and attitudes.” The second model, identified as the “triangle model,” uses moral values and character as a foundational and responding creatively and specially to your partner as a capstone, with relationship principles in the middle. The chapter concludes with an appendix that links Gottman’s concepts and principles with similar ideas and patterns from Jewish and Christian ancient scriptures, hinting at no small degree of continuity over the millennia for what does or does not work well in close relationships. Case history examples are presented throughout the chapter for discussion.
In 2 studies, the Inclusion of Other in the Self (IOS) Scale, a single-item, pictorial measure of closeness, demonstrated alternate-form and test–retest reliability; convergent validity with the Relationship Closeness Inventory (E. Berscheid et al, 1989), the R. J. Sternberg (1988) Intimacy Scale, and other measures; discriminant validity; minimal social desirability correlations; and predictive validity for whether romantic relationships were intact 3 mo later. Also identified and cross-validated were (1) a 2-factor closeness model (Feeling Close and Behaving Close) and (2) longevity–closeness correlations that were small for women vs moderately positive for men. Five supplementary studies showed convergent and construct validity with marital satisfaction and commitment and with a reaction-time (RT)-based cognitive measure of closeness in married couples; and with intimacy and attraction measures in stranger dyads following laboratory closeness-generating tasks. In 3 final studies most Ss interpreted IOS Scale diagrams as depicting interconnectedness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Three studies examine the role of spirituality, specifically prayer for the partner, in the development of young adult relationships. In Study 1 (N = 302) we examine longitudinal relationships to establish ordering over time; prayer for the partner predicted later relationship satisfaction but not vice versa. In Study 2 (N = 191) we examine whether it is prayer for the partner or simply prayer in general that ac-counts for effects on satisfaction. We also establish that prayer for the partner ac-counts for unique variance in satisfaction beyond that contributed by positive and negative dyadic behavior. Finally, in Study 3 (N = 360) we examine three plausible mediators of the impact of prayer for the partner on young adult relationships and find that increased commitment mediates the effect of prayer for the partner on re-lationship satisfaction. Results are interpreted as consistent with the view that prayer for the partner influences commitment by priming a longer–term perspec-tive, a key developmental task in young adult relationships. Potential negative impacts of prayer and the need for experimental investigation are also discussed. Survey research reveals that around 90% of Americans pray at least occasionally (McCullough & Larson, 1999) and many people use prayer spontaneously to cope with their problems (Barnes et. al., 2004; McCaffrey et al., 2004). Given the obvious similarity of prayer
The investigation of marital conflict has reached a crossroads. Over 25 years of research on marital conflict behavior yields a relatively clear picture of its topography, but its relevance for changing the marital relationship remains controversial. We can continue to amass observations in a relatively atheo-retical manner and hope that patterns capable of guiding clinical activity will emerge, or we can begin creating a unified theoretical framework to indicate new directions for clinical activity and empirical investigation. Before ex-ploring the latter option, this chapter reviews briefly the impact of marital conflict on mental, physical, and family health and what is known about the nature of conflict in marriage. After highlighting some recent theoretically grounded advances, we illustrate how conceptualizing marital conflict be-havior as goal directed provides an integrative theoretical framework for treatment, prevention, and marital conflict research.
On the basis of an interdependence analysis, it is proposed that commitment to a close relationship is associated with cognitive interdependence—a mental state characterized by a pluralistic, collective representation of the self-in-relationship. A cross-sectional survey study and a 2-wave longitudinal study revealed that strong commitment to a romantic relationship is associated with greater spontaneous plural pronoun usage, greater perceived unity of self and partner, and greater reported relationship centrality. Commitment and cognitive interdependence operate in a cycle of mutual influence, such that earlier commitment predicts change over time in cognitive interdependence, and earlier cognitive interdependence predicts change over time in commitment. Links between commitment and cognitive interdependence were weak or nonsignificant for relationships among best friends, suggesting that this phenomenon may be unique to romantic relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved). (from the journal abstract)
Because religion and/or spirituality is integral to the lives of a majority of the world population, we conducted 3 studies on the role of prayer in romantic relationships. Study 1 (N = 375) showed that prayer for the partner predicted lower levels of extradyadic romantic behavior over a 6-week period, over and beyond relationship satisfaction, and initial levels of extradyadic romantic behavior. In Study 2 (N = 83), we used an experimental design to show that participants assigned to pray for each day for 4 weeks engaged in lower levels of extradyadic romantic behavior during that time, compared with those who engaged in daily positive thoughts about the partner or a neutral activity. Perception of the relationship as sacred mediated the relation between experimentally manipulated prayer and later infidelity. Study 3 (N = 23) showed that objective observers rated participants who had been praying for their partner for 4 weeks as more committed to their romantic relationship than control participants. The implications of these results are then discussed.
Previous research has repeatedly shown that writing about an important value, compared with writing about an unimportant value, reduces defensiveness in response to self-threatening information, but has not identified why. Study 1 showed that participants who wrote about an important value reported more positive other-directed feelings, such as love and connection, than participants who wrote about an unimportant value. Study 2 replicated this effect, and showed that loving and connected feelings, but not positive or negative self-directed feelings, completely accounted for the effect of a values-affirmation manipulation on smokers' acceptance of information indicating that smoking harms health. These studies, in concert with previous research, suggest that values affirmation reduces defensiveness via self-transcendence, rather than self-integrity (i.e., self-worth or self-images).
The authors advance an interdependence analysis of willingness to sacrifice. Support for model predictions was revealed in 6 studies (3 cross-sectional survey studies, 1 simulation experiment, 2 longitudinal studies) that used a novel self-report measure and a behavioral measure of willingness to sacrifice. Willingness to sacrifice was associated with strong commitment, high satisfaction, poor alternatives, and high investments; feelings of commitment largely mediated the associations of these variables with willingness to sacrifice. Moreover, willingness to sacrifice was associated with superior couple functioning, operationalized in terms of level of dyadic adjustment and probability of couple persistence. In predicting adjustment, willingness to sacrifice accounted for significant variance beyond commitment, partially mediating the link between commitment and adjustment; such mediation was not significant for persistence.
The present work advances and tests an interdependence-based model of the associations among commitment, pro-relationship behavior, and trust. Findings from two longitudinal studies revealed good support for model predictions. Commitment-inspired acts such as accommodation and willingness to sacrifice provide diagnostic information regarding a partner's pro-relationship motives. Individuals come to trust their partners when they perceive that their partners have enacted pro-relationship behaviors, departing from their direct self-interest for the good of the relationship. The results of mediation analyses are consistent with a model of mutual cyclical growth in which (a) dependence promotes strong commitment, (b) commitment promotes pro-relationship acts, (c) pro-relationship acts are perceived by the partner, (d) the perception of pro-relationship acts enhances the partner's trust, and (e) trust increases the partner's willingness to become dependent on the relationship. Auxiliary analyses revealed that self-reported attachment style does not account for substantial variance beyond the features of interdependence that form the basis for the present model.
Mediation is said to occur when a causal effect of some variable X on an outcome Y is explained by some intervening variable M. The authors recommend that with small to moderate samples, bootstrap methods (B. Efron & R. Tibshirani, 1993) be used to assess mediation. Bootstrap tests are powerful because they detect that the sampling distribution of the mediated effect is skewed away from 0. They argue that R. M. Baron and D. A. Kenny's (1986) recommendation of first testing the X --> Y association for statistical significance should not be a requirement when there is a priori belief that the effect size is small or suppression is a possibility. Empirical examples and computer setups for bootstrap analyses are provided.
Relationship quality is studied in a variety of disciplines, yet widely accepted practices promulgate a lack of conceptual clarity. We build on a conceptually simple and theoretically advantageous view of relationship quality and suggest a shift to conceptualizing it as two distinct yet related dimensions—positive and negative evaluations of relationships. We introduce item response theory as a powerful tool for measure development, demonstrating how relationship quality can be optimally pursued in the context of modern test theory, thus leading to better theory development. Recognizing the limitations of self-reported relationship quality, we extend this two-dimensional conceptualization further by drawing on developments in the derivation of implicit measures. After briefly introducing such measures, we illustrate their application to assessment of relationship quality.
We proposed and tested a theory of the associations among relationship commitment, perceived harmfulness of relationship sacrifices to the self, and relationship and individual well-being. Results from a cross-sectional study of 145 couples provided reliability and validity data for a measure of the extent to which relationship sacrifices are perceived to be harmful to the self. As predicted, greater perceived sacrifice harmfulness was associated with lower relationship commitment, poorer couple functioning, and higher depressive symptomatology. However, commitment was more robustly predictive of perceived sacrifice harmfulness for males than females; in women, the association was weaker and could be accounted for by partner commitment and relationship satisfaction. Perceived sacrifice harmfulness partially mediated the association between commitment and relationship functioning in males.
It is argued that this book (see record 1999-04118-000) contains some interesting overview-type chapters that identify one aspect of self-reports and that provide researchers with findings that either help them to design their questionnaires so that they obtain more veridical self-reports or at least help them to interpret self-report findings accurately. However, some chapters put heavy emphasis on self-report in medical contexts and clinical practice. Researchers who work in other domains of the behavioral and social sciences may be disappointed to find that they book does not contain, among others, chapters on self-reports of stereotypes, attitudes, evaluations, and self-esteem. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
A model for conceptualizing relationship commitment is presented and the development of a measure corresponding to this model described. Commitment is considered as two constructs: personal dedication and constraint commitment. In study one, items developed for the Commitment Inventory (CI) were given to a sample of 141 subjects. Item analyses resulted in selection of the items for the inventory. In study two, 279 subjects yielded data used in further testing of the CI. Tests were conducted on the reliability of the subscales, the factor structure of the CI, and the associations between the CI and various other measures of commitment. Further, the CI was examined in relation to various demographic variables and various measures of other relationship constructs. Overall, the research demonstrated that the CI shows promise as a reliable and valid instrument for measuring commitment. Implications are discussed for both the CI and the concept of commitment.
Addresses the religious and spiritual phenomenon of prayer. Basic social–psychological findings regarding the use of prayer in the general population are summarized. The authors review the quantitative empirical research on the relationship between various aspects of prayer (including frequency of prayer, use of prayer for coping with stress, and types of prayer) and various measures of mental health and well-being. Recommendations are made on how practitioners might assess, discuss, and possibly encourage prayer in their work with clients. The chapter is, in large part, grounded in the assumption that much about prayer can be learned by examining the quantitative empirical research on how it operates in people's lives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
examine the role of conscious thought on at least 2 facets of attitude strength: attitude extremity (polarization) and the attitude-behavior link / in both cases the concern is the mechanisms by which thought has its impact / because thought about particular attitude objects is consequential, it is important to understand what initiates and directs thought to focus on one object rather than another / address this question
mere thought polarizes attitudes / how thought changes attitudes [thought changes cognitive contents: the effects of constraints, reality constraints, process constraints; thought changes cognitive content: the necessity for cognitive structure, cognitive schemas; the role of schema complexity: thesis, antithesis and synthesis] / thought and the decoupling of attitudes and behavior [when thought strengthens, when thought disrupts: toward a mismatch model of attitudes and behavior] / what makes people think about their attitudes (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
This study reports on in-depth interviews with 57 highly religious, middle-aged married couples representing the major Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) residing in New England and Northern California. The study uses grounded theory methods to create themes and a model describing the ways that religiosity influences marital conflict. Couples reported that religiosity affects the conflict in their marriage at three phases of the conflict process: (a) problem prevention, (b) conflict resolution, and (c) relationship reconciliation. Practitioners may assist religious couples that are struggling with marital conflict by encouraging them to look to religious beliefs and practices.
The objective of the current studies was to test whether praying for a relationship partner would increase willingness to forgive that partner. In Study 1 (N = 52), participants assigned to pray for their romantic partner reported greater willingness to forgive that partner than those who described their partner to an imagined parent. In Study 2 (N = 67), participants were assigned to pray for a friend, pray about any topic, or think positive thoughts about a friend every day for 4 weeks. Those who prayed for their friend reported greater forgiveness for their friend than did those in the other two conditions, even when we controlled for baseline forgiveness scores. Participants who prayed for their friend also increased in selfless concern during the 4 weeks, and this variable mediated the relationship between experimental condition and increased forgiveness. Together, these studies provide an enhanced understanding of the relationship benefits of praying for a partner and begin to identify potential mediators of the effect.
Hypotheses involving mediation are common in the behavioral sciences. Mediation exists when a predictor affects a dependent variable indirectly through at least one intervening variable, or mediator. Methods to assess mediation involving multiple simultaneous mediators have received little attention in the methodological literature despite a clear need. We provide an overview of simple and multiple mediation and explore three approaches that can be used to investigate indirect processes, as well as methods for contrasting two or more mediators within a single model. We present an illustrative example, assessing and contrasting potential mediators of the relationship between the helpfulness of socialization agents and job satisfaction. We also provide SAS and SPSS macros, as well as Mplus and LISREL syntax, to facilitate the use of these methods in applications.
We investigated the prospective associations between attitudes about sacrifice and marital outcomes in 38 married couples. Specifically, a measure of satisfaction with sacrifice was proposed to be a potent longitudinal predictor of marital adjustment and distress based on existing cross-sectional studies and also to mediate the association between commitment and marital adjustment. Results demonstrated that attitudes about sacrifice discriminated between couples who would become distressed versus nondistressed over time. Sacrifice attitudes also predicted the maintenance of relationship adjustment over time even better than earlier relationship adjustment. Finally, sacrifice attitudes mediated the link between commitment and relationship adjustment for husbands, but not wives. Implications for intervention are discussed.
The impact of thought on attitude extremity and attitude-behavior consistency Attitude Strength: Antecedents and Consequences (pp. 73-92) Willingness to sacrifice in close relationships
- A Tesser
- L Martin
- M Mendolia
Tesser, A., Martin, L., & Mendolia, M. (1995). The impact of thought on attitude extremity and attitude-behavior consistency. In R. E. Petty & J. A. Krosnick (Eds.), Attitude Strength: Antecedents and Consequences (pp. 73-92). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Van Lange, P. A. M., Rusbult, C. E., Drigotas, S. M., Arriaga, X. B., Witcher, B. S., & Cox, C. L. (1997). Willingness to sacrifice in close relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psy-chology, 72, 1373-1395.
Prayer Integrating spirituality into treatment: Resources for practitioners Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models
- M E Mccullough
- D B Larson
McCullough, M. E., & Larson, D. B. (1999). Prayer. In W. R. Miller (Ed.), Integrating spirituality into treatment: Resources for practitioners (pp. 85–110). Washington, DC: American Psycho-logical Association. Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods, 40, 879-891.