This study assessed measures operationalizing concepts in relational turbulence theory (Solomon, Knobloch, Theiss, & McLaren, 2016). Studies of relational turbulence in marriage have used measures developed in research on dating couples; therefore, one goal was evaluating these variables in a general population sample of married individuals (N = 1,469). A second goal addressed problems in measures of relational uncertainty by assessing alternative scales. Third, associations between relational turbulence theory variables and measures of cognitive, emotional, and communicative phenomena were estimated. Fourth, the distinctiveness of relational turbulence measures relative to measures of other relational qualities was assessed. The conclusions advance new, Likert relational uncertainty scales and highlight the validity of relational turbulence constructs as distinctive predictors of cognitions, emotions, and communication.

This study examined how relational uncertainty and qualities of interdependence within marriages correspond with eight measures of cognitive, emotional, and communicative phenomena. Structural equation modeling evaluated predictions deduced from relational turbulence theory (RTT), which links relational uncertainty to biased cognitions and interference and facilitation from a partner to emotional intensity. A research question focused on associations with indices of communicative engagement. Results provided mixed support for RTT. Relational uncertainty was significantly associated with taking conflict personally and cognitive jealousy as predicted, but it was also associated with emotional jealousy and negative affect and did not predict communicative engagement. Interference from a partner was positively associated with negative affect for women, but not men, and with topic avoidance for men, but not women. Facilitation from a partner was positively associated with the directness of communication about hurt and, for men only, it corresponded with more negative affect and more topic avoidance. Contrary to expectations, facilitation from a partner was positively associated with cognitive jealousy. The discussion highlights implications for future research on relational turbulence in marriage.

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This study examines transitions in marriage by merging the frameworks of the relational turbulence model and the experiencing life transitions model. An online survey presented 208 married individuals with open-ended questions and closed-ended scales that gathered information about a particularly important transition in the respondent’s marriage, the quality of their relationship during the transition, and the strategies used to navigate the transition. Analyses, which focused on 157 participants who reported experiencing a transition in their marriage, revealed 10 categories of transitions, the most frequent of which were sparked by health issues or the death of a loved one. Type of transition demonstrated unique associations with relational uncertainty, interference from a partner, relational turbulence, and transition processing activity. Several significant associations between qualities of relational turbulence, engagement in transition processing activity, and transition valence emerged.

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