Associations Between Attention to Warning Signs, Marital Confidence, and Interactional Problem Solving Among Emerging Adult Couples in Mainland China

Journal article

N. Hardy, Amber Vennum, Matthew D Johnson, Jared R Anderson, Sharon Luu, Wenli Liu
2015

Cite

APA Click to copy
Hardy, N., Vennum, A., Johnson, M. D., Anderson, J. R., Luu, S., & Liu, W. (2015). Associations Between Attention to Warning Signs, Marital Confidence, and Interactional Problem Solving Among Emerging Adult Couples in Mainland China.

Chicago/Turabian Click to copy
Hardy, N., Amber Vennum, Matthew D Johnson, Jared R Anderson, Sharon Luu, and Wenli Liu. “Associations Between Attention to Warning Signs, Marital Confidence, and Interactional Problem Solving Among Emerging Adult Couples in Mainland China” (2015).

MLA Click to copy
Hardy, N., et al. Associations Between Attention to Warning Signs, Marital Confidence, and Interactional Problem Solving Among Emerging Adult Couples in Mainland China. 2015.

BibTeX Click to copy

@article{n2015a,
  title = {Associations Between Attention to Warning Signs, Marital Confidence, and Interactional Problem Solving Among Emerging Adult Couples in Mainland China},
  year = {2015},
  author = {Hardy, N. and Vennum, Amber and Johnson, Matthew D and Anderson, Jared R and Luu, Sharon and Liu, Wenli}
}

Abstract

Inertia theory has been exclusively applied to couples in Western cultures. The current study examined the applicability of inertia theory to emerging adult couples in urban China (n = 200 couples) using the transition and risk model which proposes that partners can reduce their risk of future distress by evaluating information relevant to the quality and stability of the relationship prior to making decisions about the relationship’s future. This evaluation of the relationship may increase the likelihood that individuals will act in ways to support their choice (e.g., relationship maintenance behaviors). Results indicated that men’s and women’s attention to the warning signs of a dangerous relationship (a type of relationship information) was related to their constructive problem solving (a relationship maintenance behavior) directly and indirectly through marital confidence. Theoretical implications and suggestions for cross-cultural intervention and research are provided.