Relational maintenance and schema renegotiation following disclosure of transsexualism: An examination of sustaining male-to-female transsexual and natal female couples

This qualitative study examined the utilization of relationship maintenance activities in the process of schema renegotiation in couples that include male-to-female (MTF) individuals and their natal female (NF) partners in which the disclosure of transsexualism occurred after the relationship was established.;The close relationship between two adults is a dynamic process, co-created, negotiated, and maintained jointly via the partners' interactions (Blumer, 1969; Prager & Roberts, 2004). Further, as the partners engage in the interactive process of maintaining their relationship, they co-create a relational schema (Baldwin, 1992; Holmes, 2000). Views and expectations of themselves, of their partners, and of the relationship become established (Baldwin, 1992; Holmes, 2000).;The unexpected disclosure of transsexualism disrupts the couple partners' relational schema (Gurvich, 1991). Relationships require the use of maintenance activities in order to prevent decline or dissolution (Attridge, 1994; Canary, Stafford, & Semic, 2002; Duck, 1986). Thus, following the disclosure, relationship maintenance activities are required to accomplish two intertwined purposes: (1) return the relationship to an acceptable level; and (2) renegotiate the partners' relational schemas.;Symbolic interactionism (Blumer, 1969) set the foundation for this study, allowing for the examination of the meanings behind relationship maintenance activities as they re-shape schema. Schema theory (Fiske & Taylor, 1991), including relational schema (Baldwin, 1992; 1995; Holmes, 2000), and social exchange and equity theories (Homans, 1950; Thibaut & Kelly, 1959) further informed the study.;Seventeen couples were recruited via internet bulletin boards and network sampling. The study method included the completion of a survey by each relationship partner and participation in an individual in-person semi-structured interview.;Deductive and inductive methods were used to analyze the data. Deductive analysis was conducted with an existing relationship maintenance typology (Canary & Stafford, 1992; Dainton & Stafford, 1993; Haas & Stafford, 1998; Stafford & Canary, 1991) and inductive analysis was conducted through constant comparative methods (Glaser & Strauss, 1967).;The study findings demonstrate that following the disclosure of transsexualism, the couple partners modified, initiated, discontinued, and/or continued unchanged their relationships' maintenance activities. Further, these maintenance activities were associated with schema renegotiation.;The study findings also demonstrated that the study couples utilized similar relationship maintenance activities as those utilized by heterosexual, gay, and lesbian couples, in addition to unique relationship maintenance activities. Theoretical implications, along with implications for practice and future research, are presented.