title: Self-determination and conflict in romantic relationships.
abstract: Four studies examined associations between E. L. Deci and R. M. Ryan's (1985, 2000) construct of autonomy, responses to relationship disagreements, and dissatisfaction after conflict. In Study 1, diary data showed that trait autonomy predicted relationship autonomy, which in turn predicted relative satisfaction after disagreements. In Study 2, trait autonomy predicted relationship autonomy, which was associated with less defensive and more understanding responses to conflict. Studies 3 and 4 examined whether one's partner's relationship autonomy uniquely predicted reported and observed behavior during conflict. Autonomous reasons for being in the relationship (of both self and partner) predicted both reported and observed responses to conflict and feelings of satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Houston, TX 77204, USA. knee@uh.edu
authors.forename: C Raymond
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Knee
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lonsbary
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Canevello
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Patrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires