TY - JOUR
T1 - Here One Time, Gone the Next
T2 - Fluctuations in Support Received and Provided Predict Changes in Relationship Satisfaction Across the Transition to Parenthood
AU - Eller, Jami
AU - Girme, Yuthika U.
AU - Don, Brian P.
AU - Rholes, W. Steven
AU - Mickelson, Kristin D.
AU - Simpson, Jeffry A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 American Psychological Association
PY - 2022/11/10
Y1 - 2022/11/10
N2 - Extant research has demonstrated that higher mean (average) levels of social support often produce robust relational benefits. However, partners may not maintain the same level of support across time, resulting in potential fluctuations (i.e., within-person variations across time) in support. Despite the theorizing and initial research on fluctuations in relationship-relevant thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, little is known about (a) who is most likely to fluctuate in support and (b) the degree to which fluctuations, in combination with and beyond mean levels, impact relationships across time. The current preregistered research examined two dyadic longitudinal samples of first-time parents undergoing the transition to parenthood, a chronically stressful time that often entails the provision and receipt of support involving one’s partner. Across both studies, we found that individuals who reported greater mental health problems, more situational stress, and more destructive dispositional attributes tended to report lower mean levels and higher fluctuations in provided and received support at subsequent assessments. Moreover, we found that greater fluctuations in perceptions and observations of support predicted decreases in relationship satisfaction over time, above and beyond the effect of mean levels.
AB - Extant research has demonstrated that higher mean (average) levels of social support often produce robust relational benefits. However, partners may not maintain the same level of support across time, resulting in potential fluctuations (i.e., within-person variations across time) in support. Despite the theorizing and initial research on fluctuations in relationship-relevant thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, little is known about (a) who is most likely to fluctuate in support and (b) the degree to which fluctuations, in combination with and beyond mean levels, impact relationships across time. The current preregistered research examined two dyadic longitudinal samples of first-time parents undergoing the transition to parenthood, a chronically stressful time that often entails the provision and receipt of support involving one’s partner. Across both studies, we found that individuals who reported greater mental health problems, more situational stress, and more destructive dispositional attributes tended to report lower mean levels and higher fluctuations in provided and received support at subsequent assessments. Moreover, we found that greater fluctuations in perceptions and observations of support predicted decreases in relationship satisfaction over time, above and beyond the effect of mean levels.
KW - fluctuations
KW - relationship satisfaction
KW - social support
KW - transition to parenthood
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U2 - 10.1037/pspi0000408
DO - 10.1037/pspi0000408
M3 - Article
C2 - 36355685
AN - SCOPUS:85149618995
SN - 0022-3514
VL - 124
SP - 971
EP - 1000
JO - Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
JF - Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
IS - 5
ER -