Browsing by Subject "Relationship"
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Item An association of commitment and communal-exchange relationship oreintation(2005-05) Bartsch, Nadine Laverne; Hendrick, Susan S.; McGlynn, Richard P.; Winer, Jane L.; Hendrick, Clyde A.The present research explores the association between commitment, communal-exchange orientation, and satisfaction in romantic relationships. Relationship commitment focuses on the stability of a relationship, including its maintenance and interdependence of partners (Rusbult, 1983). It has been proposed that commitment involves three dimensions (i.e., personal desire to be in the relationship, moral obligation to remain in the relationship, and external constraints to leaving the relationship; Johnson, 1973; Johnson, Caughlin, & Huston, 1999). Rusbult’s (1980, 1983) investment model of relationship commitment indicates that commitment is predicted by a combination of relationship satisfaction plus the investment of resources in the relationship less the perceived attractive alternatives to the relationship. Also, commitment is a process of interpersonal interactions (Surra, 1987; Surra & Hughes, 1997). In communal-exchange relationship orientation (Clark & Mills, 1979; Mills & Clark, 1982), relationships are distinguished by the timing and comparability of benefits. Communal relationships focus on being responsive to the other’s needs, and imply long-term relationships. Exchange relationships focus on debts incurred and repayment of similar benefits in a timely manner. Results from past research indicate that exchange orientation is negatively associated with marriage adjustment and positively associated with dissatisfaction. In current research, correlational analyses indicated that commitment and its components are associated with communal-exchange relationship orientation. Student participants reported a more significant relationship than did the community participants between communal relationship orientation and commitment. Women more than men reported significant associations between communal relationship orientation and commitment. However, the differences between women’s and men’s associations were not significant and the addition of communal relationship orientation did not increase the prediction of commitment by the investment model. Perceived partner commitment accounted for a 3% increase in the ability of the investment model to predict one’s commitment. Overall, aspects of commitment are related to relationship satisfaction, no matter how commitment is measured.Item An association of commitment and communal-exchange relationship oreintation(Texas Tech University, 2005-08) Bartsch, Nadine Laverne; Hendrick, Susan S.; McGlynn, Richard P.; Winer, Jane L.; Hendrick, Clyde A.The present research explores the association between commitment, communal-exchange orientation, and satisfaction in romantic relationships. Relationship commitment focuses on the stability of a relationship, including its maintenance and interdependence of partners (Rusbult, 1983). It has been proposed that commitment involves three dimensions (i.e., personal desire to be in the relationship, moral obligation to remain in the relationship, and external constraints to leaving the relationship; Johnson, 1973; Johnson, Caughlin, & Huston, 1999). Rusbult’s (1980, 1983) investment model of relationship commitment indicates that commitment is predicted by a combination of relationship satisfaction plus the investment of resources in the relationship less the perceived attractive alternatives to the relationship. Also, commitment is a process of interpersonal interactions (Surra, 1987; Surra & Hughes, 1997). In communal-exchange relationship orientation (Clark & Mills, 1979; Mills & Clark, 1982), relationships are distinguished by the timing and comparability of benefits. Communal relationships focus on being responsive to the other’s needs, and imply long-term relationships. Exchange relationships focus on debts incurred and repayment of similar benefits in a timely manner. Results from past research indicate that exchange orientation is negatively associated with marriage adjustment and positively associated with dissatisfaction. In current research, correlational analyses indicated that commitment and its components are associated with communal-exchange relationship orientation. Student participants reported a more significant relationship than did the community participants between communal relationship orientation and commitment. Women more than men reported significant associations between communal relationship orientation and commitment. However, the differences between women’s and men’s associations were not significant and the addition of communal relationship orientation did not increase the prediction of commitment by the investment model. Perceived partner commitment accounted for a 3% increase in the ability of the investment model to predict one’s commitment. Overall, aspects of commitment are related to relationship satisfaction, no matter how commitment is measured.Item Conceptualizations of friendship between Chinese international students and U.S. nationals(2008-12) Huang, Yijia; Heuman, Amy N.; Olaniran, Bolanle A.; Punyanunt-Carter, Narissa M.The purpose of this qualitative study is to add to the understanding of intercultural friendships between Chinese students and United States nationals. The following research questions are posed: 1) How do Chinese international students and U.S. nationals conceptualize friendship, 2) how do these conceptualizations of friendship impact their intercultural relationships, 3) what types of communicative challenges do Chinese students face in developing friendship with U.S. nationals, and vice versa, and 4) what factors hinder Chinese international students from making friends with U.S. nationals, and vice versa? 22 Chinese international students and U.S. nationals participated in in-depth interviews. The results revealed friendship conceptualizations in both Chinese and U.S. cultures from three main aspects: level of friendship, function of friendship, and quality of friendship. The study also explores future directions for research in the areas of intercultural friendship.Item Emerging adult friendship : a consequence of family communication and catalyst for well-being(2012-12) Guinn, Trey D.; Vangelisti, Anita L.; Dailey, Rene M; Daly, John A; Donovan-Kicken, Erin; Whittaker, Tiffany AThe purpose of this research was to examine the friendships of emerging adults as influenced by familial environments in order to illuminate interpersonal aspects of well-being. Recent literature affirms that friendships play a critical role in the lives of emerging adults; these interpersonal connections rely on the use of friendship formation strategies and maintenance behaviors. Employing a longitudinal design that included both participant and peer reports, this study found that individuals’ use of friendship formation strategies and maintenance behaviors contribute to their overall well-being and that the path for maintenance behaviors was partially mediated by relational quality with friends. Further, it was expected that the propensity to engage in friendship work (i.e., formation strategies and maintenance behaviors) would be predicted by communication within the parent-child relationship. Recent scholarship asserts that parent confirmation affects both the socialization and psychosocial development of children. The current work employed a confirmation perspective to assess how families lay the groundwork for emerging adults’ communicative behaviors in friendship and found that parent confirmation predicted individuals’ use of friendship formation and maintenance behaviors. Together, these associations pave a social-cognitive pathway from family and friendship to well-being.Item Honoring your family when they are miles away: family-of-origin factors affecting couple relationship satisfaction in Asian, Anglo, and Asian-Anglo couples(Texas Tech University, 2007-12) Ro, Hye-Sun; Wampler, Richard S.; Reifman, Alan; Wampler, Karen S.; Busby, Dean M.Using multiple group path analyses, existing models of family-of-origin, social contextual factors, and couple relationship satisfaction were revised and tested with 166 Asian, 264 Asian-Anglo, and 300 Anglo couples using the RELATE questionnaire. Couple was the unit of analyses. Results provided evidence for the applicability of these "Anglo" models with Asian and Asian-Anglo interracial couple relationships with some notable exceptions. In general, paths that were proven to be significant in Anglo population (e.g., parent-child relationship and parental marriage, parent-child relationship and relationship satisfaction) were also significant in Asian and Asian-Anglo population. Also, the paths from parents' support to relationship satisfaction were significant both in Asian and Anglo couple relationships. However, different from expectation, parent support was not a significant factor in predicting interracial couple relationship satisfaction. Further, although male parents' support was not a significant predictor of female relationship satisfaction, female parents' support was a significant predictor both for the male and female relationship satisfaction across the three groups, suggesting the importance of female parents' approval of the relationships in predicting both partner's relationship satisfaction. In addition, although the pathways from family violence history to parentchild relationship quality were significantly negative in mixed and Anglo couple relationships, the same paths were not significant but positive in Asian couples. Finally, different from some previous findings, religion was not a significant predictor of relationship satisfaction across the three groups. This finding argues for a more detailed examination of the way couples handle their religious similarities and differences. In order to provide culturally sensitive and competent services, marriage and family therapists should not only be aware of the different cultural characteristics but also respect the traditional values of specific cultures. Although this study is not free of limitations, the present study provides valuable information to the field of marriage and family therapy in that it examined the relationship dynamics of Asian Americans and Asian-Anglo interracial relationships. Future studies including acculturation/assimilation variables and ethnic origins of Asian American would be helpful in extending the cultural sensitivity of marriage and family therapists.Item Learning from the past, altering the future: The effects of past relationships on couples who remarry(Texas Tech University, 2005-12) Brimhall, Andrew S.; Wampler, Karen S.; Kimball, Thomas G.; Ivey, David C.; Crawford, Duane W.Over 20 years ago Furstenberg (1979) called for more research on the relationship between former spouses. Despite that call, not many empirical studies have examined this relationship, particularly among those who are remarried (Buunk & Mutsaers, 1999). The small body of literature that has studied remarriage is primarily based on large national databases that take a distant, external, stance to the data. Little, if any, research exists that takes a process-oriented approach to understanding the difficulties faced by individuals who remarry. Yet, 4 out of 10 people entering marriage today are entering a marriage where one or both spouses have been previously married (Ihinger-Tallman & Pasley, 1997). Currently, the applied literature lacks the necessary information to establish a theory regarding remarriage and how previous marriages affect current relationships. Many of the explanations that exist are speculative and lack theoretical grounding. This study used grounded theory methodology in an attempt to understand a complex social phenomenon that is affecting many lives. The sample consisted of 8 couples who indicated that they left a relationship that was dissatisfying and were currently in a satisfying relationship. Each participant was in their second marriage, remarried as a result of divorce, married less than 5 years, and not severely distressed. Participants were interviewed individually and then together with their spouse and were asked to describe how their first marriages were currently affecting their second marriages. Trust, and how it was affected over the course of the relationship, was the central category that emerged. From this central category three categories were developed: lack of trust in the previous relationship, attempts to increase trust in the development of the current relationship, and presence of trust in the current relationship. The experiences of three participants were highlighted to show the relationships between categories and how the trust in relationships varied among these categories. Through the use of participant feedback, internal and external auditors, and existing literature the findings were validated. From these results provisional hypotheses were developed and implications for clinicians working with couples who remarry were discussed.Item Learning from the past, altering the future: The effects of past relationships on couples who remarry(2005-08) Brimhall, Andrew S.; Wampler, Karen S.; Kimball, Thomas G.; Ivey, David C.; Crawford, Duane W.Over 20 years ago Furstenberg (1979) called for more research on the relationship between former spouses. Despite that call, not many empirical studies have examined this relationship, particularly among those who are remarried (Buunk & Mutsaers, 1999). The small body of literature that has studied remarriage is primarily based on large national databases that take a distant, external, stance to the data. Little, if any, research exists that takes a process-oriented approach to understanding the difficulties faced by individuals who remarry. Yet, 4 out of 10 people entering marriage today are entering a marriage where one or both spouses have been previously married (Ihinger-Tallman & Pasley, 1997). Currently, the applied literature lacks the necessary information to establish a theory regarding remarriage and how previous marriages affect current relationships. Many of the explanations that exist are speculative and lack theoretical grounding. This study used grounded theory methodology in an attempt to understand a complex social phenomenon that is affecting many lives. The sample consisted of 8 couples who indicated that they left a relationship that was dissatisfying and were currently in a satisfying relationship. Each participant was in their second marriage, remarried as a result of divorce, married less than 5 years, and not severely distressed. Participants were interviewed individually and then together with their spouse and were asked to describe how their first marriages were currently affecting their second marriages. Trust, and how it was affected over the course of the relationship, was the central category that emerged. From this central category three categories were developed: lack of trust in the previous relationship, attempts to increase trust in the development of the current relationship, and presence of trust in the current relationship. The experiences of three participants were highlighted to show the relationships between categories and how the trust in relationships varied among these categories. Through the use of participant feedback, internal and external auditors, and existing literature the findings were validated. From these results provisional hypotheses were developed and implications for clinicians working with couples who remarry were discussed.Item PARENTAL DECEPTION: INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF DECEPTION ON PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS(2015-05-29) Cargill, Joscelyn Renee; Eoff, Shirley M; Curtis, Drew A; Cordell-McNulty, KristiPsychologists have completed much research in the broad field of deception, but an emerging topic is the deception within parent/child relationships. Previous studies have shown that parents lie to their children in order to control their actions and emotions (e.g., Heyman, Luu, & Lee, 2009; Heyman, Hsu, Fu, & Lee, 2013). There appears to be a gap in the area of research pertaining to the implications of parents lying to their children. The goal of the current study was to examine the effects of parental lies on the parent/child relationship. A survey was conducted that determined what kinds of lies parents have told to their children, how serious the lies were (as determined by the child), and how the lies effected the parent/child relationship. The current study found that parental deception is related to satisfaction within the parent/child relationship. Results also showed that perceived seriousness of the lie does not impact relational satisfaction and parents are more likely to use white lies than any other types. These results have implications for not only the parent/child relationship, but also education and communication.Item Reconstructive-memory process(2012-05) Shin, Yun Koung; Mutchler, Leslie; Goodman, MarkThis graduate report is a description of my artistic development through the graduate program at the University of Texas at Austin. It records my development and growth as an artist in relationship to the concepts, materials, and processes I have been investigating and exploring in the past three years. The graduate report focuses on three important concerns to which I’ve been dedicated. First, materials are imperative to my work. I physically collect and use my father’s ordinary objects and transform them with raw materials, such as clay, flour, honey, chocolate, beeswax, and petroleum jelly. The decision of choosing raw materials is based on my personal and cultural experiences. I am particularly interested in exploiting raw materials because I believe these raw materials can trigger a particular memory, place, or relationship that I want to preserve and remember. Second, my process of making involves ritualistic aspects with repetitive acts. I believe that everyday practices are a way of reconstructing relationships and remembering home. I am interested in embracing emotional attributes that may be simple activities: spraying a piece daily to keep it wet or sewing a personal object until it is impossible to sew. Finally, through the relationship among the objects, repeated actions, and an anticipation that evokes magical power and charged energy, I methodically transform objects. I do this to celebrate emotions and to preserve not only these personal objects but also my memories of home.Item Relationship breakups: are they all bad?(Texas Tech University, 2010-08) Buck, Erin; Hendrick, Susan S.; Hendrick, Clyde A.; Cook, Stephen W.; Winer, Jane L.This research focused on the link between attributions people make about relationship termination, coping strategies employed post-breakup and possible posttraumatic growth experienced as a result of a breakup. The research also studied the relations between past relationship breakups and current relationship satisfaction, level of respect for partner, and satisfaction with life. The measures used for this study included: a background inventory, the Relationship Breakup Attribution Measure (Tashiro & Frazier, 2003), the Problem Focused Style of Coping Scale (Heppner, Cook, Wright, & Johnson, 1995), the Emotional Approach Coping Scale (Stanton, Kirk, Cameron, & Danoff-Burg, 2000), the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996), the Relationship Assessment Scale (S. Hendrick, 1988), the Respect Toward Partner Scale (S. Hendrick & Hendrick, 2006), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985). Correlations, regression analyses, and analysis of variance examined associations among the variables. Significant correlations were found among the variables for the total sample, for men and women separately, and for current dating status. Attributions and some coping strategies were predictive of posttraumatic growth for both men and women. For women, coping by emotional processing was related to life satisfaction, and growth from a prior relationship was related to current partner respect and relationship satisfaction. Respect and relationship satisfaction were positively correlated for both genders. Individuals in a romantic relationship had greater life satisfaction than individuals not in a relationship. Men’s satisfaction with life was significantly impacted by dating status, whereas women’s satisfaction with life was not. In general, women had higher levels of life satisfaction than men. Clinical implications of the results and future research possibilities are noted.Item The role of emotional capital during the early years of marriage : it’s about the little things(2016-05) Walsh, Courtney Michelle; Neff, Lisa A.; Gleason, Marci Elizabeth Joy; Loving, Timothy J.In ongoing relationships, partners often accumulate a number of shared positive moments together, referred to as emotional capital. Although these moments may seem trivial on the surface, emotional capital has been shown to be an important resource when faced with relationship threats. The proposed study aimed to examine the longitudinal effects of emotional capital using daily diary assessments collected from 167 couples across the first 3 years of marriage. Conceptually replicating prior work, we found that individuals who accumulated more emotional capital on average maintained greater levels of satisfaction on days of greater relationship threat when compared to those individuals who accumulated less emotional capital. We also tested whether (1) the trajectories of emotional capital across time predicted later reactivity and (2) whether the buffering effect of emotional capital became stronger over time. We did not find support for either of these predictions. Lastly, the current study examined whether emotional capital not only reduced reactivity, but also reduced the likelihood that spouses detected threats in the first place. Results indicated that compared to husbands who accumulated less emotional capital, husbands who accumulated more emotional capital exhibited less vigilance for their wives’ daily negative behaviors within the relationship. Wives’ vigilance for their husbands’ negative behaviors was unaffected by their accumulations of emotional capital.Item Sustaining and rapid response engineering in the reservoir sampling and pressure group of the commercial products and support organization at Schlumberger Sugar Land Technology Center(Texas A&M University, 2007-04-25) Kerr, Bradley GrayThis record of study investigates twelve months of engineering industry experience, a required internship of the Doctor of Engineering degree program at Texas A&M University. The internship company was Schlumberger Limited. The record of study begins with a brief introduction to the company. Three projects undertaken by the intern during the internship are discussed. The projects show how a wide variety of knowledge, both technical and practical, is required to solve engineering problems. Issues facing newly graduated engineers in industry are discussed. Issues facing newly graduated engineers exposed to industry for the first time are quite different than a traditional engineering curriculum has prepared them to encounter. Industry today is demanding a well-educated engineer capable of tackling technical problems in several areas as well as engineers with the ability to easily communicate and interact with others and develop leadership potential. Academia, industry, and society all have a highly influential role in developing engineers. The engineer must consider the interaction of technology and society when searching for a solution to optimize the benefit to all. The study further investigates academic challenges as well as the declining number of engineers, international competition, industry responsibility, and observations made during the internship period. Research has shown that in the next few year as the Baby Boomer generation of approximately 77 million people begin to retire, the next generation of approximately 44 million will have difficulty keeping up with technical and scientific demands. Industry demand for science and engineering graduates is beginning to overwhelm academia??????s ability to respond and produce. Few U.S. undergraduates are continuing education in graduate schools. This leaves a large student population base to be filled by international students. U.S. citizens accounted for only 35-percent of the total number of doctoral degree recipients in science and engineering during the 2005 academic year. Observations made during the internship period will be used to make recommendations to both industry and academia to help align industry demands and academic abilities in order to produce engineering graduates that are ready to accept the vastly different challenges encountered in industry.Item The impact of light rail transit on residential rental market : case study of Dallas Area Rapid Transit(2016-08) Haque, Antora Mohsena; Zhang, Ming, 1963 April 22-; Wegmann, JakeThis research was undertaken to quantify the relationship between residential rent and proximity to light rail transit in Dallas, an auto-oriented city. This correlation is of importance to real estate developers and transportation planners as they seek to make the most efficient use of developable land and to decide on the allocation of funding for future transportation projects. This study shows that proximity to DART rail stations is associated with residential rent up to half mile radius area of the stations. Hedonic regression models in simple Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and semi log form were used for the analysis. The semi log model showed that light rail stations have the strongest relationship with rent in the 0.1 mile to 0.2 mile distance buffer, where the rent/sq. ft. is 20.92% higher than for units between 0.4 and 0.5 miles distance from stations. After 0.2 miles distance from the stations, the rent starts to drop and continues to go down till 0.5 miles distance from a station. The simple OLS model showed similar results and according to this model within 0.1 to 0.2 mile buffer area the rent is 27.6 cents/sq. ft. higher than the rent/sq. ft. in the 0.4 to 0.5 mile buffer area. This result will help to manage the extent of investment in light rail in Dallas in the future.