An investigation of relational turbulence and depressive symptoms in newly married women

Abstract

This study uses the relational turbulence model to examine depressive symptoms in newly married women. It reports data from a pre‐/posttest study in which 152 women completed an online survey during their engagement and 6 months after their wedding. Nearly 12% of the women reported reliable and clinically meaningful increases in depressive symptoms after their wedding. Using panel data analysis, this study found that increases in self uncertainty, partner uncertainty, and relationship uncertainty as well as in partner interference were associated with increases in depressive symptoms. This novel test of the relational turbulence model examined the impact of change in (rather than level of) relational turbulence, and the findings extend previous work by demonstrating how mechanisms of relational turbulence impact mental health.

Relational turbulence during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal analysis of the reciprocal effects between relationship characteristics and outcomes of relational turbulence

“…Prior research has linked relational uncertainty with various cognitive, emotional, and communicative outcomes that are indicative of relational turbulence. For example, relational uncertainty is associated with intensified emotional reactions, such as heightened anger, sadness, and fear (Knobloch & Theiss, 2010), emotional and cognitive jealousy (Solomon & Brisini, 2019), and increases in depressive symptoms (Scott & Stafford, 2018). Cognitive outcomes heightened under conditions of relational uncertainty include appraisals of increased relational turmoil (Knobloch, 2007), and perceptions of a partner’s actions as dominating (Theiss & Knobloch, 2013), hurtful (McLaren et al, 2011), or unsupportive (Priem & Solomon, 2015).…”

“…Interference and facilitation from partners are also associated with reactivity that can heighten or dampen relational turbulence. Interference is associated with increased negative emotion (Knobloch & Theiss, 2010) and depressive symptoms (Scott & Stafford, 2018), appraisals of partners as unsupportive (Knobloch et al, 2018), and more assertive communication about irritating behaviors (Theiss & Solomon, 2006a), but also increased avoidance, indirectness, and withdrawal during conflict interactions (King & Theiss, 2016). This evidence suggests that interference from partners is associated with emotional, cognitive, and communicative reactivity that can contribute to a climate of relational turbulence.…”

Parent–student relational turbulence, support processes, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Relational turbulence can contribute to psychological distress (Monk et al, 2020), including stress (Weigel & Shrout, 2020) and depressive symptoms (Scott & Stafford, 2018). Relational Turbulence Theory posits turbulence may be detrimental to individuals’ mental well-being, making it harder to formulate plans, accomplish supportive interactions, and interpret affiliative messages (Solomon et al, 2016).…”

A Relational Turbulence Model of Sexual Communication in Couples With Depression

“…The current findings document that in the context of depression, relational uncertainty and interference from a partner are associated with lower extent and effectiveness of communication about sex. Given documented ties between depression and these mechanisms of turbulence (e.g., Delaney, 2019b; Knobloch & Knobloch-Fedders, 2010; Scott & Stafford, 2018), the findings indicate that trouble with communication about sex is one route through which the effects of depression are tied to relationship challenges. Couples may find it useful to address topics of ambiguity or areas of interference in their relationship, and practitioners can help couples pinpoint strategies to minimize those mechanisms of turbulence.…”