key studies

• What was the aim of the study conducted by Stafford and Canary (2006)?


  To investigate how equity and satisfaction predicted the use of maintenance strategies in marriage
• What was the procedure used in the study by Stafford and Canary (2006)?

  • Over 200 married couples participated
  • Completed measures of equity and relationship satisfaction tests
  • Each spouse answered questions about:
  • Use of maintenance strategies
  • Division of household tasks/chores
  • Levels of positivity in relationships
• What was the main finding regarding relationship satisfaction in the study?

  Satisfaction was highest for spouses who perceived their relationships to be equitable
• How did under-benefited husbands compare to equitable or over-benefited husbands in terms of relationship maintenance strategies?

  Under-benefited husbands reported significantly lower levels of relationship maintenance strategies
• What relationship did the study find between equity and marital happiness?

  • The relationship between equity and marital happiness appeared to be complementary
  • Spouses treated equitably tended to be happier
  • Happier spouses were more likely to engage in behaviors contributing to their partner's equity
• What conclusion did Stafford and Canary (2006) draw from their study?

  There is a positive relationship between relationship satisfaction and equity, with spouses reporting higher levels of compatibility
• What was the aim of Le and Agnew's (2003) study?

  To investigate Rusbult’s investment model of relationship
• What method was used in Le and Agnew's (2003) study?

  A meta-analysis was carried out
• How many studies were included in the meta-analysis by Le and Agnew (2003)?

  53 studies
• How many independent samples were represented in Le and Agnew's (2003) meta-analysis?

  60 independent samples
• How many participants were involved in Le and Agnew's (2003) study?

  11,582 participants
• What time period did the studies in Le and Agnew's (2003) meta-analysis cover?

  From the late 1970s till the late 1990s
• How many countries were represented in the data of Le and Agnew's (2003) study?

  Data from five countries were represented
• What was the division of male and female participants in Le and Agnew's (2003) study?

  54% male and 46% female
• What factors of the investment model were investigated in the studies included in Le and Agnew's (2003) meta-analysis?

  Factors such as commitment and satisfaction were investigated
• What were the results regarding the correlation of satisfaction, comparison of alternatives, and investment with commitment in Le and Agnew's (2003) study?

  All factors correlated significantly with commitment
• What was the sample size of the study conducted by Lefebrve et al (2012)?

  208 college students
• What was the purpose of the online questionnaire completed by the participants in the study?

  To measure their use of Facebook during their recent breakup
• What percentage of student participants chose not to use Facebook to talk about their breakup at all?

  22%
• What percentage of the sample used Facebook to publicize their relationship status?

  22%
• What relationship status changes did participants make on Facebook?


  From ‘in a relationship’ to either ‘it’s complicated’ or ‘single’
• Approximately what percentage of participants used Facebook to check up on their ex-partner?

  10%
• What strategy did ex-partners use on Facebook following a breakup?

  Displaying positive social interactions and happy memories
• What was the intention behind ex-partners posting photographs of having fun with friends?

  To ensure these could be seen by their ex
• What common actions were taken by participants on Facebook after a breakup?

  Blocking or unfriending their ex-partner
• How do the researchers link online behaviors on Facebook to relationship dynamics?

  They believe these behaviors can be directly linked to Duck's phase model of relationships