Conceptualization and assessment of disengagement in romantic relationships

Abstract

Research examining relationship distress and dissolution highlights the importance of romantic disengagement. However, prior conceptualizations and measures of romantic disengagement have tended to combine disengagement with related but distinct constructs hindering the study of romantic disengagement. In the present study we conducted exploratory factor analyses to demonstrate that disengagement is a relatively distinct construct and to clarify the conceptualization of romantic disengagement. More importantly, we developed a novel measure– the Romantic Disengagement Scale (RDS). The RDS demonstrated adequate fit across samples of dating individuals, married couples and women in physically aggressive relationships. The RDS also demonstrated strong divergent and incremental validity. Implications for enhancing conceptual models, research methodology, and clinical interventions are discussed.

Missing the Trees for the Forest: Understanding Aggression Among Physically Victimized Women

“…Women who engage in IPV are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and low selfesteem (e.g., Kim & Capaldi, 2004;Whiting, Simmons, Havens, Smith, & Oka, 2009); trauma-related symptoms resulting from past experiences of abuse and neglect (e.g., Chen & White, 2004;Flemke & Allen, 2009;Miller & Meloy, 2006;White & Widom, 2003); conduct problems and antisocial behavior (e.g., Huesmann, Dubow, & Boxer, 2009;Kim & Capaldi, 2004); personality traits such as aggressiveness, impulsivity, or neuroticism (e.g., Barry, Lawrence, & Langer, 2008;Bettencourt, Talley, Benjamin, & Valentine, 2006); and borderline or antisocial personality disorders (e.g., Clift & Dutton, 2011). Depression and low self-esteem, in particular, appear to be stronger correlates of women's IPV perpetration than men's (Capaldi et al, 2012).…”

Couple and Family Processes in DSM‐V: Moving beyond Relational Disorders

“…) • Structured Diagnostic Interview for Marital Distress and Partner Aggression: Heyman et al (2001) Conflict management/problem-solving skills: • Marital Satisfaction Inventory-Revised a : Snyder and Aikman (1999) • Communication Skills Test (CST): Floyd (2004) • 10-minute problem solving interaction task coded for positive and negative behaviors and/or affect b : Specific Affect Coding System; Shapiro and Gottman (2004); Rapid Marital Interaction Coding System; Heyman (2004) • Areas of Change Questionnaire: Weiss and Birchler (1975) Interpartner support skills : • Support in Romantic Relationships Scale (SIRRS): Dehle, Larsen, and Landers (2001) • 10-minute social support interaction task coded for positive and negative support provision and solicitation behaviors b : Social Support Interaction Coding System; Pasch, Harris, Sullivan, & Bradbury (2004); Support Behavior Code; Suhr, Cutrona, Krebs, & Jensen (2004)Emotional intimacy/disengagement: • Romantic Disengagement Scale (RDS):Barry, Lawrence, and Langer (2008) Forgiveness:• Dispositional forgiveness:Fincham and Beach (2002) • Event forgiveness:Fincham, Beach, and Davila (2004) Commitment :• Commitment Inventory:Stanley and Markman (1992) Psychological, emotional, and physical aggression:•Mulitidimensional Emotional Abuse Scale: Murphy and Hoover (1999) • Conflict Tactics Scales -2nd Version: Physical Assault Scale and Injury and Consequences Scale a : Straus, Hamby, Boney-McCoy, and Sugarman (1996) • Structured Diagnostic Interview for Marital Distress and Partner Aggression: Heyman, Feldbau-Kohn, Ehrensaft, Langhinrichsen-Rohling, and O'Leary (2001)…”

Romantic disengagement as a developmental process that contributes to marital distress and decline

“…Although discussing these components separately aids in description, factor analyses suggest that disengagement comprises a single broad factor in which these four components are included (Barry et al, 2008). Therefore, in the present paper, I conceptualize disengagement as a single construct that includes emotional, affective, cognitive, and behavioral components.…”

“…Snyder and Regts (1979) conducted factor analyses of 127 items assessing global marital distress and found two factors: one representing marital conflict (which they termed -disharmony‖) and one representing romantic disengagement (which they termed -disaffection‖). Similarly, in the process of creating a measure of romantic disengagement, Barry, Lawrence, and Langer (2008) found that romantic disengagement formed a factor separate (albeit related) from negative affect. In sum, there is converging evidence from both factor analytic and basic research studies that romantic disengagement represents a stage of marital decline that is relatively unique from high levels of marital conflict.…”

“…In summary, this research presents an integrated theoretical model of romantic disengagement and provides preliminary support for aspects of the model. Romantic disengagement comprises feelings of indifference toward one's partner and cognitive and behavioral efforts to increase distance with one's partner (Barry, Lawrence, & Langer, 2008). It is one of the most common reasons why couples seek marital therapy (Geiss & O'Leary, 1981;Whisman, Dixon, & Johnson, 1997), and is among the most frequently cited reasons dating and married couples give for their relationship distress and dissolution (Albrecht, Bahr, & Goodman, 1983;Amato & Previti, 2003;Baxter, 1986;Bloom & Hodges, 1981;Gigy & Kelly, 1992;Sprecher, 1994).…”