Self-determination theory as a fundamental theory of close relationships.

Abstract

Though relatively young, the field of relationships science has an impressive body of research devoted to understanding a range of relational processes including attachment, communality, intimacy, and interdependence. However, relatively little research has examined the motivational underpinnings of these processes. Self-determination theory (SDT) offers a broad perspective on the mechanisms through which relational processes are related to personal well-being and relational functioning and the circumstances under which seemingly positive relational processes particularly result in benefits to relationships and the individuals of which they are comprised. The purpose of this review is to summarise the existing research applying SDT to relational processes and to suggest future avenues for research that will extend both relationships science and SDT.Although the study of close relationships has been fundamental to the field of psychology since its inception, the development of a formalized relationships science has only emerged over the last 25 years (Fletcher, 2002;Kelley et al., 1983;Reis, Collins, & Berscheid, 2000). Within this literature are diverse theoretical frameworks examining such processes as attachment, intimacy, communality, and interdependence. Each of these literatures has a long and rich research tradition attesting to the importance of these processes for well-being and optimal relational functioning. However, in this macrocosm of relationships research, relatively little space has been dedicated to understanding the motivational underpinnings of these processes.One such perspective has characterised relationship motivation by independent tendencies toward approach (moving toward a rewarding or desired end-state) and avoidance (moving away from a punishing undesired end-state), as well as the goals toward the formation and maintenance of social ties manifest from these motives (e.g., Gable, 2006). A second growing literature examines motivation within relationships from the self-determination theory (SDT) perspective (La Guardia, 2007a), focusing on how relational partners either support or undermine the fulfilment of basic psychological needs and how motivational orientations derived from such need fulfilment are maintained or transformed as a function of experiences within relationships.In this paper we outline how the SDT perspective provides a valuable framework for understanding the motivational underpinnings of important relational processes, such as attachment, intimacy, communality, and interdependence, and further how this motivational structure helps to predict personal growth and development. Relationships research typically focuses on how individual personality factors (e.g., attachment style) and/or situational factors (e.g., partner responsiveness) affect how important relational processes unfold (e.g., conflict resolution, intimacy) and how these exchanges impact relational functioning (e.g., commitment, satisfaction). Importantly, the incremental value of the SDT perspective is th...

Consensus, Need Fulfillment, Commitment, and Satisfaction in Couple Relationships: Structural Equation Modeling

“…Consistent with previous research (Drigotas and Rusbult 1992; La Guardia and Patrick 2008; Vanhee et al 2018), our research findings validated the significant association between the extent to which a person engages in supporting their partner's needs and their level of romantic relationship satisfaction. Specifically, those willing to support their romantic partners' needs are more likely to show proactive engagement in fulfilling their partners' needs by striving to comprehend and be interested in their specific needs, preferences, and perspectives.…”

Consensus, Need Fulfillment, Commitment, and Satisfaction in Couple Relationships: Structural Equation Modeling

“…Consistent with previous research (Drigotas and Rusbult 1992; La Guardia and Patrick 2008; Vanhee et al 2018), our research findings validated the significant association between the extent to which a person engages in supporting their partner's needs and their level of romantic relationship satisfaction. Specifically, those willing to support their romantic partners' needs are more likely to show proactive engagement in fulfilling their partners' needs by striving to comprehend and be interested in their specific needs, preferences, and perspectives.…”

From marital conflict to life satisfaction: How basic psychological need satisfaction operates—A dyadic analysis study

“…Additionally, a notable partner effect was observed from females to males, indicating that female experiences of marital conflict adversely impact male perceptions of need satisfaction. These results align with previous research suggesting that high levels of marital conflict can create a detrimental relational environment, impeding individuals' ability to feel autonomous, competent, and connected (Knee et al., 2005; La Guardia & Patrick, 2008). Overt and destructive marital conflict undermines individuals' sense of control over their lives (autonomy), their confidence in their abilities (competence), and their sense of belonging and connection (relatedness).…”

Need satisfaction in daily well‐being : Both social and solitude contexts contribute to well‐being

“…This set of findings conceptually replicated previous research suggesting that daily relational experiences influence wellness through psychological need satisfaction (Reis et al, 2000). Moreover, the results align with studies of close relationships that suggest individuals feel a greater sense of well-being, including higher positive affect and lower negative affect, when their needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence are met by their partners and close friends (Demir & Özdemir, 2010;Guardia & Patrick, 2008;Patrick et al, 2007).…”

Consensus, Need Fulfillment, Commitment, and Satisfaction in Couple Relationships: Structural Equation Modeling

“…Consistent with previous research (Drigotas and Rusbult 1992; La Guardia and Patrick 2008; Vanhee et al 2018), our research findings validated the significant association between the extent to which a person engages in supporting their partner's needs and their level of romantic relationship satisfaction. Specifically, those willing to support their romantic partners' needs are more likely to show proactive engagement in fulfilling their partners' needs by striving to comprehend and be interested in their specific needs, preferences, and perspectives.…”

From marital conflict to life satisfaction: How basic psychological need satisfaction operates—A dyadic analysis study

“…Additionally, a notable partner effect was observed from females to males, indicating that female experiences of marital conflict adversely impact male perceptions of need satisfaction. These results align with previous research suggesting that high levels of marital conflict can create a detrimental relational environment, impeding individuals' ability to feel autonomous, competent, and connected (Knee et al., 2005; La Guardia & Patrick, 2008). Overt and destructive marital conflict undermines individuals' sense of control over their lives (autonomy), their confidence in their abilities (competence), and their sense of belonging and connection (relatedness).…”

Need satisfaction in daily well‐being : Both social and solitude contexts contribute to well‐being

“…This set of findings conceptually replicated previous research suggesting that daily relational experiences influence wellness through psychological need satisfaction (Reis et al, 2000). Moreover, the results align with studies of close relationships that suggest individuals feel a greater sense of well-being, including higher positive affect and lower negative affect, when their needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence are met by their partners and close friends (Demir & Özdemir, 2010;Guardia & Patrick, 2008;Patrick et al, 2007).…”

Consensus, Need Fulfillment, Commitment, and Satisfaction in Couple Relationships: Structural Equation Modeling

“…Consistent with previous research (Drigotas and Rusbult 1992; La Guardia and Patrick 2008; Vanhee et al 2018), our research findings validated the significant association between the extent to which a person engages in supporting their partner's needs and their level of romantic relationship satisfaction. Specifically, those willing to support their romantic partners' needs are more likely to show proactive engagement in fulfilling their partners' needs by striving to comprehend and be interested in their specific needs, preferences, and perspectives.…”

From marital conflict to life satisfaction: How basic psychological need satisfaction operates—A dyadic analysis study

“…Additionally, a notable partner effect was observed from females to males, indicating that female experiences of marital conflict adversely impact male perceptions of need satisfaction. These results align with previous research suggesting that high levels of marital conflict can create a detrimental relational environment, impeding individuals' ability to feel autonomous, competent, and connected (Knee et al., 2005; La Guardia & Patrick, 2008). Overt and destructive marital conflict undermines individuals' sense of control over their lives (autonomy), their confidence in their abilities (competence), and their sense of belonging and connection (relatedness).…”

Need satisfaction in daily well‐being : Both social and solitude contexts contribute to well‐being

“…This set of findings conceptually replicated previous research suggesting that daily relational experiences influence wellness through psychological need satisfaction (Reis et al, 2000). Moreover, the results align with studies of close relationships that suggest individuals feel a greater sense of well-being, including higher positive affect and lower negative affect, when their needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence are met by their partners and close friends (Demir & Özdemir, 2010;Guardia & Patrick, 2008;Patrick et al, 2007).…”