Family‐of‐origin experience and emotional health as predictors of relationship self‐regulation in marriage

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand differences in one's ability to implement relationship self‐regulation (RSR) in marriage based on the family‐of‐origin variables of parent–child relationship quality, parental marital satisfaction and current emotional health. The participants were 484 married couples who completed the relationship evaluation. Structural equation modelling was used to test a model that showed that the actor and partner's emotional health were associated with RSR in marriage, while most family‐of‐origin factors were not directly associated with RSR. However, the perceived mother–child relationship quality was associated with RSR for wives, but not husbands, when controlling for the other variables in the model. There were no significant relationships between father–child relationship quality or parental marital satisfaction and RSR. Implications for couple therapists and educators are discussed. Practitioner points Relationship self‐regulation (RSR) involves recognizing one's own positive and negative contribution to the relationship. Emotional health affects RSR and should be attended to in work with couples. Helping partners address emotional health issues may increase a couple's ability to collaboratively work on their relationship. Open expression of emotions and positive communication skills may decrease emotional health symptomology and increase the couples' use of RSR.

Associations Between Family of Origin Climate, Relationship Self‐Regulation, and Marital Outcomes

“…Future research will need to look at other potential predictors of RSR in adult romantic relationships to tease out their unique contributions. Several studies have begun to investigate the predictors of RSR, including attachment security (Pepping & Halford, ; Roundy, Larson, Busby, & Harper, ), neuroticism (Roundy et al., ), parent–child relationship quality and emotional health (Brown et al., ). Finally, as RSR reflects an internal process in how individuals successfully alter their own behavior rather than actual behaviors used (Halford et al., ), it will be useful to investigate how behavioral variables such as communication, conflict, or positive bonding may mediate RSR's association with relationship satisfaction and stability.…”

“…Relationship self‐regulation (RSR), defined as the strategies and effort partners use to improve their relationship (Halford, Lizzio, Wilson, & Occhipinti, ), may be one mechanism through which family of origin experiences are related to marital outcomes. Reports of parent–child relationship quality have been linked to higher levels of RSR (Brown, Larson, Harper, & Holman, ) and higher levels of RSR have been linked to higher levels of relationship satisfaction (Halford & Wilson, ; Halford et al., ; Shafer, Jensen, & Larson, ; Wilson, Charker, Lizzio, Halford, & Kimlin, ). Guided by the Vulnerability‐Stress‐Adaptation Model (VSA; Karney & Bradbury, ) and Bowen family systems theory (Kerr & Bowen, ), the present study uses a sample of 961 heterosexual, married couples to examine the direct associations between family of origin climate and marital outcomes (i.e., marital satisfaction and marital stability) and the indirect association via RSR.…”

The Effects of Maternal Childhood Attachment and Paternal Involvement in Child-Rearing and Maternal Parenting Efficacy on Parenting Behavior of Mothers with Infants

“…, (M. J. Kim & Lee, 2011), (Brown, Larson, Harper, & Holman, 2016;Kwahk & Kim, 2006), (Kohlhoff & Barnett, 2013;Pereira et al, 2012), (Yoon & Cho, 2011), (McHale & Lindahl, 2011) (Crnic et al, 1983) (Ruìz, Carrasco, & Holgado-Tello, 2016;Seo & Lee, 2014) . .…”

Commitment, Forgiveness, and Relationship Self‐Regulation: An Actor Partner Interdependence Model of Relationship Virtues and Relationship Effort in Couple Relationships

“…To date, most research on RSR has focused on personality constructs (e.g., responsibility) (Halford, ), emotional health factors (e.g., good self‐esteem, lack of depression, and anxiety) (Brown, Larson, Harper, & Holman, ), individual background factors such as family‐of‐origin experiences (Brown et al., ; Knapp, Norton, & Sandberg, ), and adult attachment styles (Roundy & Larson, ). Finally, research has demonstrated that higher RSR is associated with higher marital quality, and particularly that view of partner's use of RSR was more influential than one's own RSR (Shafer et al., 2014a, 2014b).…”