bims-chumac 2023-05-21 papers

Issue of 2023–05–21
four papers selected by
Thomas Krichel, Open Library Society

J Youth Adolesc. 2023 May 18.

Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Relationship Satisfaction in Adolescent Couples: The Role of Conflict Resolution Strategies.

Emily-Helen Todorov, Alison Paradis, Thao Ha.

Emotion regulation difficulties have been found to predict relationship satisfaction in adult samples, yet little is known with regards to the processes explaining these associations in adolescent dating relationships. Furthermore, among the available literature, most studies only consider one romantic partner. To address this gap, this study used a dyadic approach and considered the role of conflict resolution strategies (i.e., positive problem-solving, withdrawal, and conflict engagement) in the association between adolescents' emotion regulation and romantic relationship satisfaction. A sample of 117 heterosexual adolescent couples from Québec, Canada, was recruited (Mage = 17.68, SD = 1.57; 50% female, with 40.60% being in their first romantic relationship, and 48.29% reporting that this relationship was ongoing for more than a year). Results from APIMeM analyses indicated no direct effects between emotion regulation and relationship satisfaction. Significant indirect actor effects indicate that boys and girls with greater emotion regulation difficulties were less satisfied with their relationship via more withdrawal strategies. A partner effect emerged for girls, such that their boyfriend's regulation difficulties and greater withdrawal had a negative impact on their relationship satisfaction. This study identifies withdrawal as a key strategy in explaining the associations between emotion regulation difficulties and relationship satisfaction. Furthermore, it highlights that within adolescent couples, boys' withdrawal can be particularly deleterious to relational well-being.

Keywords: Adolescent; Conflict Sesolution; Dyadic; Emotion regulation; Relationship Satisfaction; Romantic Relationships

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01787-6

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 04 25. pii: 5631. [Epub ahead of print]20(9):

Dating App Use and Wellbeing: An Application-Based Pilot Study Employing Ecological Momentary Assessment and Objective Measures of Use.

Gabriel Bonilla-Zorita, Mark D Griffiths, Daria J Kuss.

Smartphones are part of individuals' daily lifestyles, as are smartphone applications such as dating apps. Previous evidence suggests that high engagement in dating applications can be detrimental to some users' wellbeing. However, much of the published research has relied on cross-sectional studies and self-report measures. Therefore, the present study aims to overcome the limitations of subjective measures in cross-sectional designs by investigating for the first time the relationship between dating app users' wellbeing (self-esteem, craving and mood) and objective measures of their use during a one-week period. To do this, the present study employed a newly developed application, DiaryMood and utilized ecological momentary assessment (EMA), as it measured subjects' mood, self-esteem and craving three times per day and the time spent using the dating apps per day during one week. A convenience sample of 22 online dating app users participated in the present study. Findings from a three-level multilevel analysis indicated that increased time spent on dating apps predicted craving among dating app users and that notifications led to an improved mood and higher self-esteem. The results are discussed in relation to previous online dating studies. In sum, the present study sets a precedent for the use of EMA within the scope of online dating research, which may promote further studies adopting this methodology.

Keywords: dating applications; ecological momentary assessment; multilevel analysis; online dating; wellbeing

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20095631

J Sex Res. 2023 May 15. 1-13

Comparing Perception of Sexual Intent and the Use of Sexual Coercion in Men and Women College Students.

Jeff A Bouffard, Holly A Miller.

Despite research showing that many college men and women have experienced misperception of their friendliness as sexual intent, such research has focused on this type of misperception only as a correlate of men's sexual aggression. In fact, regardless of methodology used many researchers seem to suggest women do not misperceive men's sexual intent, and in some instances may actually under-perceive it. We used a hypothetical scenario to determine whether men (n = 324) and women (n = 689) college students perceived similar sexual intent from a character who is not the same gender as they are, as depicted in a story about a man and woman on a "date." Our results revealed that men and women in our sample reported similar levels of perceived sexual intent on the part of the character with a different gender as described in the scenario, even after that character clearly indicated to the partner that they "think they do not want to have sex." In addition, the perceived level of the character's sexual intent as solicited in response to this scenario design was related to sexual coercion intentions among both men and women (though it appears more strongly related among men), and these relationships remained even after controlling for other known correlates of sexual coercion (e.g., rape myth acceptance, level of sexual arousal). Implications for the study of misperception and its origins are discussed.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2023.2204097

Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2023 May 18.

Romantic racism: How racial preferences (and beliefs about racial preferences) reinforce hierarchy in U.S. interracial relationships.

Sakaria Laisene Auelua-Toomey, Steven Othello Roberts.

OBJECTIVES: In the United States, the two most common interracial marriages are between Asian women and White men, and between Black men and White women. Previous research proposed that the reason for these pairings stems from White Americans' racial preferences, such that White men prefer Asian women over Black women (i.e., the group stereotyped as more feminine), whereas White women prefer Black men over Asian men (i.e., the group stereotyped as more masculine). Here, we argue that focusing solely on White Americans' preferences neglects the reality that Americans of color also have preferences (and beliefs about others' preferences) that contribute to the composition of U.S. interracial relationships.
METHOD: We used multiple methodologies (i.e., surveys and experimental manipulations) to examine Asian, Black, and White Americans beliefs about others' preferences.
RESULTS: Across three studies (N = 3,728), we reveal that Asian, Black, and White Americans have beliefs about others' preferences (Study 1), that those beliefs mirror their own preferences (Study 2), and that those beliefs have causal implications for their own preferences (Study 3).
CONCLUSION: Collectively, these findings reveal that such beliefs (and preferences) advantage White Americans, such that both Asian and Black Americans believe that they are more attractive to White Americans than to each other, which leads them to be more attracted to White Americans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000592