The Relationship Problem Solving (RePS) Model: How Partners Influence One Another to Resolve Relationship Problems

Abstract

In this article, we synthesize existing literatures across numerous domains to introduce a novel model—the Relationship Problem Solving (RePS) model—for understanding the process through which romantic partners influence one another to resolve relationship problems. The first section briefly describes the key constructs and stages of the model. The second section details the interpersonal behaviors that influence various intrapersonal factors (e.g., affect, self-efficacy) that ultimately influence partners’ motivation and ability to progress through the stages of the model. The third section uses the model to generate novel predictions that suggest that the effectiveness of these interpersonal behaviors often depends on contextual factors. Finally, the fourth section discusses the implications of this model for understanding relationship problem solving, highlights the need to consider the role of context in the problem-solving process, and offers numerous specific predictions to be addressed by future research.

How both partners’ individual differences, stress, and behavior predict change in relationship satisfaction: Extending the VSA model

“…See Fig. 2 C and D. Although the benefits of partner opposition may seem counterintuitive, they are consistent with other research indicating that opposition can be adaptive over time by clarifying problems and motivating people to more effectively manage them (39,45,46), which may be particularly necessary among people facing the more demanding circumstances that accompany high stress (47). Controlling for these effects, none of individuals' partners' enduring qualities were directly associated with changes in marital satisfaction over time.…”

How Do People Experience and Respond to Social Control From Their Partner? Three Daily Diary Studies

“…Rook, 1990) that aims at easing a challenging situation in the support recipient (Cohen, 2004). While this distinction is straightforward, partner regulation, a prominent concept from relationship science focusing on romantic relationships (Simpson et al, 2018;Baker and McNulty, 2020) is more closely related to social control. Partner regulation is defined as "an attempt to resolve relationship problems that arise" (p. 5, Baker and McNulty, 2020).…”

“…While this distinction is straightforward, partner regulation, a prominent concept from relationship science focusing on romantic relationships (Simpson et al, 2018;Baker and McNulty, 2020) is more closely related to social control. Partner regulation is defined as "an attempt to resolve relationship problems that arise" (p. 5, Baker and McNulty, 2020). Partner regulation and health-related social control thus address different targets.…”

“…The only overlap between these two constructs occurs when it comes to influencing health behaviors that cause (potential) problems not only for one partner's health, but also for the relationship. However, even in this area of overlap an important distinction between partner regulation and social control is that a prominent form of cooperative partner regulation is social support (Baker and McNulty, 2020) which again is distinct from social control. Owing to the differences in partner regulation and health-related social control the present work draws primarily on the health-related social control literature.…”

Perceptions of partner responsiveness across the transition to parenthood.

“…Although most of the current literature indicates that responsiveness is beneficial, it is conceivable that, under certain conditions, being in a role that requires high levels of responsiveness may actually harm relationship quality (Baker & McNulty, 2020; Inagaki & Orehek, 2017; McNulty, 2008). This might be particularly true under high levels of chronic stress, which may evoke demand-related responsive behaviors from one or both romantic partners.…”