bims-chumac 2022-02-13 papers

Issue of 2022–02–13
two papers selected by
Thomas Krichel, Open Library Society

Eur J Psychol. 2021 May;17(2): 103-116

What Makes It Difficult to Start an Intimate Relationship: A Taxonomy of the Reasons.

Within the context of an evolutionary theoretical framework, the current research attempted to study the reasons that cause difficulties in starting an intimate relationship in the Greek cultural context. In particular, using qualitative research methods (interviews and open-ended questionnaires), Study 1 (N = 205) identified 58 reasons that make it difficult for people to start an intimate relationship. Using an online sample of 1,095 Greek-speaking participants (N = 1,095), Study 2 classified these reasons in 12 factors. More than 80% of the participants indicated that they faced above moderate or severe difficulties in at least one factor, while about 40% faced difficulties in three or more factors. Significant gender and age effects were found across the different factors. Using second order principal components analysis, the 12 factors were classified in three broader domains of difficulties in starting a relationship.

Keywords: flirting; intimate relationships; mate choice; mating; mismatch problem

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.1852

Psychol Health. 2022 Feb 09. 1-12

Congruence and goal sharing of health-related goals among newly dating individuals explaining goal importance and commitment.

E M Marshall, J Gere.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine whether perceived goal sharing (i.e., perceiving a partner as having the same health-related goal) and/or perceived goal congruence (i.e., being able to spend time together in health-related goal activities) with a romantic partner are associated with health-related goal commitment and importance.
DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 80 participants with a health-related goal in a larger study on newly dating relationships completed two self-report questionnaires 3 months apart using validated assessments of goal commitment and importance.
RESULTS: Perceived goal congruence was associated with concurrent goal commitment and importance and higher goal commitment over time. However, perceived goal sharing was not associated with the health-related goal dimensions (even when interacting with goal congruence) with the exception of increased goal importance over time for those scoring lower than the average on relationship satisfaction.
CONCLUSION: One way to enhance health-related goal importance and commitment is to ensure goal congruence exists within romantic relationships, and partners can spend time together engaging in goal-related activities with their partner. Moreover, the results suggest that romantic partners exert an influence even among the newly dating, who are often presumed to be less impactful on health outcomes and processes.

Keywords: Couples; goal commitment; goal importance; goals; health; partner influence

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2022.2037849