Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Psychology

Supervisor

Campbell, Lorne

Abstract

Relational boredom is a pervasive and potentially damaging relationship experience, but accurately perceiving these experiences in one’s partner may offer the opportunity for corrective action. The current studies examine whether romantic partners are accurate and biased in their perceptions of each other’s relational boredom (Studies 1-3), how these (in)accurate perceptions are associated with relationship quality (Studies 1-3), and the best practices for incorporating relationship maintenance behaviours to cope with the knowledge of one’s partner’s boredom (Studies 4-6). Studies 1 and 2 examine romantic couples’ accuracy, bias, and the consequences of these constructs on relationship quality cross-sectionally, while Study 3 examines these effects over time. Study 3 also examines whether accuracy and bias predict romantic partners’ engagement in corrective action through common boredom coping behaviours. These studies demonstrate that romantic partners are fairly accurate in their perceptions of each other’s relational boredom, although they tend to overestimate. In addition, accuracy and bias were consistently associated with both perceiver and partner relationship satisfaction, commitment, and trust. However, perceptions were not associated with later corrective action, indicating partners may benefit from information regarding how to effectively incorporate this corrective action into their relationships. Study 4 examines the best practices for how to incorporate novel sexual behaviours, examining whether certain types of incorporation tactics are perceived more positively than others. Findings indicate that greater use of direct-verbal initiation tactics are beneficial for relationships. Studies 5 and 6 examine the best practices for when to incorporate novel behaviours, determining what the normative timeline is for both novel sexual and nonsexual behaviours (Studies 5A and 5B) and whether there are perceived relational benefits associated with following this normative timeline (Study 6). Results demonstrate that opting not to follow the normative timeline for initiating novel nonsexual behaviours is perceived as detrimental to romantic relationships through increased negative affect and likelihood of breakup, but this was not the case for incorporating novel sexual behaviours. This research provides greater understanding of how romantic couples may effectively navigate one of romantic relationship’s most prevalent detrimental relationship experiences in order to maintain the relationship and increase relationship quality.

Summary for Lay Audience

This research examines whether romantic partners are accurate and biased in their perceptions of each other’s relational boredom (Studies 1-3), how these (in)accurate perceptions are associated with relationship quality (Studies 1-3), and the best practices for coping with knowing your partner is bored (Studies 4-6). Studies 1 and 2 examine romantic couples’ accuracy, bias, and the consequences of these constructs on relationship quality at one time point, while Study 3 examines these effects over time. Study 3 also examines whether accuracy and bias predict romantic partners' engagement in common boredom coping behaviours. These studies demonstrate that romantic partners are fairly accurate in their perceptions of each other’s relational boredom, although they tend to overestimate. In addition, accuracy and bias were consistently associated with both romantic partners' relationship satisfaction, commitment, and trust. However, perceptions were not associated with later boredom coping, indicating partners may benefit from information regarding how to effectively incorporate these coping behaviours into their relationships. Study 4 examines the best practices for how to incorporate novel sexual behaviours, examining whether certain types of incorporation tactics are seen as more positive than others. Findings indicate that greater use of direct-verbal initiation tactics are beneficial for relationships. Studies 5 and 6 examine the best practices for when to incorporate novel behaviours, determining what the normative timeline is for both novel sexual and nonsexual behaviours (Studies 5A and 5B) and whether there are perceived relational benefits associated with following this normative timeline (Study 6). Results demonstrate that opting not to follow the normative timeline for initiating novel nonsexual behaviours is perceived as bad for romantic relationships through increased negative emotions and likelihood of breakup, but this was not the case for incorporating novel sexual behaviours. This research provides greater understanding of how romantic couples may effectively navigate one of romantic relationship’s most prevalent detrimental relationship experiences in order to maintain the relationship and increase relationship quality.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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