My Partner, Their Mother, and Turbulence: An Application of the Relational Turbulence Model

Abstract

Given the folk knowledge surrounding in-laws being terrible and the recent research suggesting there is conflict prior to marriage, this study examined the relationship an individual has with their partner and their partner’s mother prior to engagement or marriage. Guided by the Relational Turbulence Model, the current study utilized a design aimed at asking participants questions geared towards self-uncertainty, partner uncertainty, relational uncertainty, and interference in regard to both their partner and their partner’s mother. Participants (N = 81) were individuals (a) currently in a relationship, but not engaged or married, (b) had met their partner’s mother, (c) physically in the United States, and (d) over the age of eighteen (18). Three hypotheses were made. H1: Participants’ perceptions of self, partner, relationship uncertainty with the partner, as well as perceptions of a partner’s interference will result in (a) increased perceptions of turbulence with one’s partner, (b) increased conflict about the partner’s mother, and (c) decreased satisfaction with one’s partner. H2: Participants’ perceptions of self, partner, and relationship uncertainty with the partner’s mother, as well as perceptions of interference from the partner’s mother, will result in (a) increased perceptions of turbulence with one’s partner, (b) increased conflict about the partner’s mother, and (c) decreased satisfaction with one’s partner. H3: Participants’ perceptions of self, partner, and relationship uncertainty with the partner’s mother, as well as perceptions of interference from the partner’s mother, will result in (a) increased perceptions of turbulence with the partner’s mother and (b) decreased satisfaction with the partner’s mother. If all four components of the Relational Turbulence Model are found, then results from this Qualtrics Survey are expected to support all three hypotheses. These findings will help advance both theory and practice.

Start Time

16-4-2025 11:00 AM

End Time

16-4-2025 12:00 PM

Room Number

271

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Presentation Subtype

UG Orals

Presentation Category

Social Sciences & Business

Faculty Mentor

Christine Anzur

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Apr 16th, 11:00 AM Apr 16th, 12:00 PM

My Partner, Their Mother, and Turbulence: An Application of the Relational Turbulence Model

271

Given the folk knowledge surrounding in-laws being terrible and the recent research suggesting there is conflict prior to marriage, this study examined the relationship an individual has with their partner and their partner’s mother prior to engagement or marriage. Guided by the Relational Turbulence Model, the current study utilized a design aimed at asking participants questions geared towards self-uncertainty, partner uncertainty, relational uncertainty, and interference in regard to both their partner and their partner’s mother. Participants (N = 81) were individuals (a) currently in a relationship, but not engaged or married, (b) had met their partner’s mother, (c) physically in the United States, and (d) over the age of eighteen (18). Three hypotheses were made. H1: Participants’ perceptions of self, partner, relationship uncertainty with the partner, as well as perceptions of a partner’s interference will result in (a) increased perceptions of turbulence with one’s partner, (b) increased conflict about the partner’s mother, and (c) decreased satisfaction with one’s partner. H2: Participants’ perceptions of self, partner, and relationship uncertainty with the partner’s mother, as well as perceptions of interference from the partner’s mother, will result in (a) increased perceptions of turbulence with one’s partner, (b) increased conflict about the partner’s mother, and (c) decreased satisfaction with one’s partner. H3: Participants’ perceptions of self, partner, and relationship uncertainty with the partner’s mother, as well as perceptions of interference from the partner’s mother, will result in (a) increased perceptions of turbulence with the partner’s mother and (b) decreased satisfaction with the partner’s mother. If all four components of the Relational Turbulence Model are found, then results from this Qualtrics Survey are expected to support all three hypotheses. These findings will help advance both theory and practice.