A relational turbulence perspective on the development of romantic relationships: Conditions that influence irritations, jealousy, and sexual intimacy

Theories of relationship development typically characterize developmental trajectories as smooth and easy, but empirical evidence suggests that romantic relationships are contexts that are ripe for turmoil and conflict. Thus, I call for the need to juxtapose theoretical and empirical perspectives to establish a clearer understanding of the nature of relational trajectories. The goal of this dissertation is to identify the relationship qualities that give rise to turmoil as partners move toward greater intimacy, and to explore the ways in which experiences of turbulent phenomena, in turn, affect relationship characteristics. In particular, I highlight the model of relational turbulence (Solomon & Knobloch, 2004) as one perspective that marries evidence of turmoil in romantic relationships with theoretical foundations describing the development of intimacy. Consistent with this perspective, I identify relational uncertainty and challenges associated with establishing interdependence as mechanisms that contribute to stressors in romantic relationships. Specifically, this dissertation focuses on appraisals of irritations, jealousy, and sexual intimacy as three relational phenomena in which the emotional, cognitive, and communicative manifestations of turbulence are evident. I also explore the ways that experiences of turmoil and directness of communication about such events shape subsequent characteristics of the relationship. To test the hypotheses advanced in this dissertation, I conducted a longitudinal Internet study in which participants reported on characteristics of their relationship over a six-week period. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses supported most of my predictions. Results indicated that intimacy was negatively associated with relational uncertainty and curvilinearly associated with a partner's interference, as predicted by the relational turbulence model. Furthermore, relational uncertainty and a partner's interference corresponded with the intensity of negative reactions to relational irritations, jealousy, and sexual intimacy. Longitudinal analyses also supported hypotheses linking appraisals of irritations, jealousy, sexual intimacy, and the directness of communication about these events to subsequent levels of intimacy, relational uncertainty, and interference. This study extends the relational turbulence model to an array of relationship phenomena that are ripe for turmoil, and it informs our understanding of relationship development by focusing on the role of specific relational episodes in shaping relationship characteristics.