Romantic competence behavior during problem solving among emerging adult dating couples: Development of an observational coding system

Abstract

This study examined the hypothesis that romantic competence (RC) skills would be demonstrated behaviorally during dating couple problem solving interactions. A coding system was developed for RC behavior, and its validity was examined through its association with relationship satisfaction and negative affect expressed. A total of 106 emerging adult dating couples in different‐sex relationships were assessed using the Romantic Competence Interview for Emerging Adults, and they participated in a dyadic problem‐solving interaction coded for RC behavior and negative affect. Men's behavioral RC was positively associated with both his and his partner's satisfaction. Behavioral RC was also more associated with satisfaction than was negative affect. Implications for the utility of teaching RC skills in young couples are discussed.

The association between romantic competence and couple support behaviors in emerging adult couples

“…However, consistent with prior research (Davila et al, 2017a; Zhou & Davila, 2019), and prior data reported from this sample (Davila et al, 2017b) there was a significant positive association between relationship satisfaction and romantic competence. Given that research to date, including this study, is cross-sectional, it will be important to examine temporal associations, as well the role of behavior in those associations.…”

“…The current study examined the association between romantic competence and couple support behaviors among emerging adults. As we have noted elsewhere (Davila et al, 2017a, 2017b; Zhou & Davila, 2019), emerging adults are an important group in which to study relational processes. They are trying to determine what type of relationship/partner is right for them (Arnett, 2000; Scott et al, 2009).…”

“…Among emerging adults, greater romantic competence is associated with greater self-reported romantic attachment security, healthier relationship decision making, greater relationship satisfaction, and fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety (Davila et al, 2017a), as well as with the expression of positive emotion among partners in a positive interaction task (Davila et al, 2017b). Zhou and Davila (2019) further demonstrated that romantic competence can be expressed behaviorally in conflict resolution interactions among couples, and greater behavioral romantic competence was associated with satisfaction. Moreover, this association was stronger than that between satisfaction and observed negative affect, a more traditional, commonly used measure of problem solving behavior (see Humbad et al, 2011).…”

“…For instance, in separate analyses from this same sample (Davila et al, 2017b), distinguishable analyses yielded more consistent associations between women’s romantic competence and their ability to adaptively express positive emotions in a relationship promoting interaction. On the other hand, in a separate sample examining conflict resolution behavior, it was men’s romantic competence that appeared to be more consistently associated with their behavior (Zhou & Davila, 2019). Whether these are reliable gender differences is unclear.…”

Adolescent romantic relationships as a tug of war: The interplay of power imbalance and relationship duration in adolescent dating aggression

“…Moreover, it is important to develop interventions not only for ADA prevention, but also programs aimed at promoting relational well‐being more broadly. For example, Davila and colleagues have examined the construct of romantic competence, a skills‐based model of adaptive romantic relationship functioning, which has been shown to be associated with important indicators of healthy romantic functioning among adolescents and emerging adults (Cuccì et al, 2020; Davila et al, 2009; Davila, Mattanah, et al, 2017; Davila, Wodarczyk, & Bhatia, 2017; Zhou & Davila, 2019). In addition, one study (Davila et al, 2020) has demonstrated preliminary support for the efficacy of a relationship education workshop designed to teach romantic competence skills to emerging adults.…”