Convergence and Divergence Among Multiple Methods for Assessing Adolescent Romantic Relationships

• NCJ Number: 225643
• Journal: Journal of Adolescence Volume: 31 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2008 Pages: 747-769
• Author(s): Renee V. Galliher; Angela M. Enno; Robert Wright
• Date Published: December 2008
• Length: 23 pages
• Grant Number(s): R03 MN064689-01A1
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health; Utah State University New Faculty Grant
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study analyzed the problem solving conversations of 92 adolescent romantic couples.

Abstract

The study found both similarities and differences between couple members’ and trained observers’ views of the interaction, providing evidence for some consistency across raters and also confirming that each individual observes interactions from his/her own distinctive perspective. Generally, both girlfriends and boyfriends viewed their interactions as harmonious and positive, despite the fact that the topics of conversation were potentially charged with conflict. Both couple members rated themselves and their partners as highly connected and characterized by low levels of all negative behaviors. Trained observers’ ratings of the couples’ coherence and narrative interaction were virtually all above the midpoint on the scales, indicating the couples’ skill at organizing and coordinating the problem solving discussions. There was a moderate association between the negotiation of interpersonal power and the use of sarcasm, conflict, and degrading the other person, suggesting a potential point of intervention in order to ensure that power decisions are negotiated in a mutually respectful and solution-focused manner. Couple members were between 14 and 18 years old and were required to have been dating exclusively for at least 1 month in order to ensure some degree of mutual relationship experience. Couples provided demographic information and completed the Levesque Romantic Experience Questionnaire, which measures a number of romantic relationship qualities. Items adapted from the Others as Shamer Scale (Goss, Gilbert, and Allan, 1994) assessed perceptions of shaming and humiliating behaviors by the partner. Couples were digitally recorded having three brief conversations adapted from previous work with adolescent couples (Capaldi and Crosby, 1997). A video-recall procedure was administered following video recording so couple members could rate their own and their partners’ behaviors during the conversations. Two trained observers coded the problem solving conversations of the couples. 6 tables and 40 references