Implicit theories of relationships and self-expansion: Implications for relationship functioning

Abstract

Individuals hold implicit beliefs about the nature of romantic relationships. Growth beliefs are characterized by thoughts that romantic relationships can be cultivated over time, whereas destiny beliefs are characterized by thoughts that relationships are either meant to be or not. In the current research, we propose that individuals who hold strong growth beliefs (but not destiny beliefs) should be more likely to experience self-expansion, as these individuals are oriented toward relationship cultivation. In turn, this increase in self-expansion should promote greater relationship quality and maintenance. Across three studies (two cross-sectional and one longitudinal) that sampled from varying populations and relationship types, we found evidence that self-expansion mediates the association between growth beliefs (but not destiny beliefs) and satisfaction, commitment, accommodation, and dissolution consideration. These data provide insights into the mechanisms by which implicit theories influence relationship functioning and establish implicit theories as an individual-level antecedent to the self-expansion experience.

Implications of relationship-induced self-concept change across partners: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model approach

“…For example, individuals who perceive their partners to have self-contracted or self-adulterated may consider dissolving the relationship. Additionally, whether partners are sensitive to each other’s self-changes may depend on their implicit relationship beliefs (Mattingly et al, 2019), self-concept clarity (Emery et al, 2018), or relationship status (e.g., married). Future research should explore these possibilities.…”

“…Prior research reveals that relationship-induced self-concept change has myriad intrapersonal consequences. Individuals who experience self-concept improvement (i.e., self-expansion or self-pruning) within their relationships report greater satisfaction, commitment, and love (Mattingly et al, 2014), report less relationship boredom (Harasymchuk et al, 2017), and are less likely to dissolve their relationship (Mattingly et al, 2019). Conversely, individuals who experience self-concept degradation (i.e., self-contraction and self-adulteration) report less commitment and greater dissolution consideration (McIntyre et al, 2015) and are more likely to commit infidelity (Mattingly et al, 2014).…”

A socioecological perspective to understanding mental and physical health: The mediating role of relationship mindsets and goals

“…When confronting conflicts in romantic relationships, people with destiny mindsets tend to focus on negative experiences and avoid coping with relationship challenges, whereas people with growth mindsets tend to focus on the process of learning about their romantic partners and put effort toward overcoming relationship challenges (Knee & Canevello, 2006). For people who believe in growth, compared to those who believe in destiny, relationship conflicts have less negative impact on their perception of relationship satisfaction and commitment (Knee, Patrick, Vietor, & Neighbors, 2004; Mattingly, McIntyre, Knee, & Loving, 2018). In this regard, growth mindsets function more adaptively in stressful relationship situations; they help individuals cope more actively and maintain more positive and fewer negative emotions than do destiny mindsets (Knee et al, 2003).…”

Attachment Insecurity and Daily Relationship Threats as Obstacles to Relational Self-Expansion

“…That is, not all relationships threats may lead to reduced self-expansion outcomes. New research suggests that people are more likely to experience selfexpansion when they possess implicit growth beliefs (i.e., they believe that their relationship can be cultivated over time; Mattingly, McIntyre, Knee, & Loving, 2019).…”

“…To better understand how people respond to their partner's negative behaviours, future research could investigate whether accommodation strategies, for instance, might mediate the association between daily relationship threats and relational self-expansion outcomes (e.g., Rusbult, Verette, Whitney, Slovik, & Lipkus, 1991). A valuable contribution to literature would be to investigate how implicit growth versus destiny beliefs might moderate the association between relationship threats and relational self-expansion outcome (Mattingly et al, 2019). It would also be valuable to understand how obstacles like relationship threats are perceived.…”