External Stressors, Resources, and Relational Outcomes Among Underrepresented Couples: Actor-Partner Interdependence Models

Abstract

The primary aim of the dissertation was to examine associations among external stressors, resources, and relational outcomes among underrepresented populations and during historical transitions. The overarching theoretical frameworks were the integration of the systemic transactional model (Bodenmann, 1997; Bodenmann et al., 2016) and the stress resistance process within the conservation of resource theory (Hobfoll, 1985, 1989). Given the efforts that went into accessing different samples of understudied and underrepresented couples from both the Eastern and the Western societies, the present dissertation is of two-study format, with one study based on Chinese heterosexual, married couples and the other study based on the U.S. same-sex couples (a summary of samples, design, and study variables is in Table 1). Across these two studies, I used dyadic data to conduct APIMs as well as its deviations for moderation and mediation (APIMoM and APIMeM), as the interdependence of both partners in a couple relationship requires such rigorous data collection and analyses procedure. In Study 1, longitudinal (more specifically, three-annual-wave), dyadic data were collected from 268 Chinese couples who were in the early years of marriage, with this population experiencing drastic changes in Chinese society within recent the past several decades. In this study, external stressors were measured as general external stressors (stressors experienced by all couples). Relational outcomes were measured as marital quality (i.e., the overall, subjective evaluation of marital happiness and satisfaction). For generally patterned findings that support theory, they were as follows: The negative associations from high external stressors to low marital quality were attenuated by high level resources at all three ecological levels: (a) self-esteem (personal resource), (b) spousal support (relational resource), and (c) relationships with parents and parents-in-law (social network resource). For more nuanced findings, they were as follows: (a) Gender differences emerged in whether specific resources attenuated the negative associations from high external stressors to low marital quality (e.g., Husbands’ versus wives’ self-esteem attenuated negative associations from high external stressors to low marital quality); (b) opposite patterns existed for the short-term versus long-term results for husbands’ relational resources. In Study 2, cross-sectional, dyadic data were collected from 144 same-sex couples in the United States. Couples in this study were experiencing the national campaign for the legalization of same-sex marriage during the data collection period (i.e., 2014-2015). In this study, external stressors were measured as sexual minority stressors (i.e., external stressors experienced uniquely by sexual minority population), and internalized homophobia and discrimination were both included. Relational outcomes were measured as intimate partner violence (IPV, a severe relational problem). For generally patterned findings that support theory, they were as follows: (a) High internalized homophobia and discrimination were related to high intimate partner violence perpetration; (b) High relational resources (i.e., commitment) attenuated the positive associations between high discrimination (i.e., probably as intermittently occurring stressors) and high IPV; and (c) High internalized homophobia (i.e., probably as constant and persistent stressors) was related to low relational resource (i.e., commitment), which in turn was related to high IPV perpetration. For more nuanced findings, they were as follows: Individuals’ high levels of discrimination were related to their partner’s high level of commitment, which in turn was related to low IPV perpetration for both spouses. Overall, the present dissertation highlights that: When helping couples and families cope with stressors and obtain desirable relational outcomes (i.e., high relational quality and low intimate partner violence), it is necessary to (a) assess available resources at multiple ecological levels (relational, personal, social network), and (b) take into consideration whether stressors are intermittently occurring versus constant and persistent. Further, couples and families with specific social cultural backgrounds may encounter unique challenges and/or possess unique resources, and the historical changes being experienced may further complicate experiences for each individual, couple, and family.