Autonomy and Dyadic Coping: A Self-Determination Approach to Relationship Quality

Journal article

N. Hardy, Matthew Lefthand, Sarah E Griffes, Matthew W. Brosi, Jared R Anderson
Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 2022

Semantic Scholar DOI

Cite

APA Click to copy
Hardy, N., Lefthand, M., Griffes, S. E., Brosi, M. W., & Anderson, J. R. (2022). Autonomy and Dyadic Coping: A Self-Determination Approach to Relationship Quality. Journal of Couple &Amp; Relationship Therapy.

Chicago/Turabian Click to copy
Hardy, N., Matthew Lefthand, Sarah E Griffes, Matthew W. Brosi, and Jared R Anderson. “Autonomy and Dyadic Coping: A Self-Determination Approach to Relationship Quality.” Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy (2022).

MLA Click to copy
Hardy, N., et al. “Autonomy and Dyadic Coping: A Self-Determination Approach to Relationship Quality.” Journal of Couple &Amp; Relationship Therapy, 2022.

BibTeX Click to copy

@article{n2022a,
  title = {Autonomy and Dyadic Coping: A Self-Determination Approach to Relationship Quality},
  year = {2022},
  journal = {Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy},
  author = {Hardy, N. and Lefthand, Matthew and Griffes, Sarah E and Brosi, Matthew W. and Anderson, Jared R}
}

Abstract

Abstract Drawing upon a sample of 460 individuals in committed romantic relationships, this study explored a key proposition of Self-Determination Theory: highly autonomous individuals are more likely to experience greater relationship quality and engage in pro-relationship behaviors. This study revealed that autonomy was indirectly associated with relationship satisfaction via a stress-communication process known as dyadic coping. Findings suggest when people feel autonomous, they may be motivated to seek support from or provide support to a romantic partner (i.e., dyadic coping), possibly because such behaviors are freely chosen, not controlled. Implications for privileging autonomy in relationship theory, research, and practice are discussed.