Relationship Trajectories: A Meta-Theoretical Framework and Theoretical Applications

Abstract

This article introduces a metatheoretical framework-the Relationship Trajectories Frameworkthat conceptualizes how human mating relationships develop across their complete time span, from the moment two people meet until the relationship ends. The framework depicts relationships as arc-shaped evaluative trajectories that vary on five dimensions: shape (which includes ascent, peak, and descent), fluctuation, threshold, composition, and density. The framework can depict single trajectories in isolation or two partners' trajectories with respect to each other (dyadic trajectories). Two theoretical models demonstrate the generative power of the framework-the relationship coordination and strategic timing (ReCAST) model and the sociosexuality trajectory model-both of which integrate close relationships and evolutionary psychological perspectives on mating. Finally, additional examples illustrate how the framework can generate new research questions about core relationships topics.

Research on Marital Satisfaction and Stability in the 2010s: Challenging Conventional Wisdom

“…Even among couples with flat linear slopes, fluctuations around the trend line may reveal hidden turbulence. A starting point for refining theories of marriage would be to develop distinct hypotheses about each of these parameters (for a perspective that moves relationship research in this direction, see Eastwick, Finkel, & Simpson, ). Time‐invariant variables, such as spouses' personalities and personal histories, may be more strongly associated with levels of satisfaction, whereas time‐varying variables, such as couples' communication and experiences of acute stress, may more strongly account for rates of change and fluctuations in satisfaction over time.…”

Theoretical Boundary Conditions of Partner Buffering in Romantic Relationships

“…Although some partner buffering is likely to take place early on, it may be less frequent or less effective than it will be later on because, across time, relationship development generates greater interdependence, shared goal pursuit, and the eventual emergence of effective buffering [14]. The rate of partner knowledge acquisition and familiarity is also likely to vary across couples, revealing the unique trajectory that partner buffering follows in a given relationship [113,114]. Over time, however, most partners should gain enough knowledge about one another to develop tailored buffering strategies consistent with relationship norms and expectations, depending on the agent's and the target's specific motivations, needs, and abilities.…”

The Dyadic Health Influence Model

“…The DHIM also builds on existing models from relationship science and health psychology in several key ways. For example, the feedback paths that the DHIM incorporates help address the element of time -a feature that has not been sufficiently integrated into existing theoretical models of interpersonal processes (Eastwick et al, 2019), including those addressing health behavior (Reed et al, 2013;Scholz, 2019). Specifically, the DHIM takes into account the past and future elements of time.…”