Intraindividual Variability in Adolescents' Perceived Relationship Satisfaction: The Role of Daily Conflict

• NCJ Number: 227397
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 38 Issue: 6 Dated: July 2009 Pages: 790-803
• Author(s): Muriel D. Van Doorn; Susan J.T. Branje; Joop J. Hox; Wim H.J. Meeus
• Date Published: July 2009
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Maintenance of a daily diary was used to determine the daily dynamics of 72 Dutch adolescents' conflict and perceived relationship satisfaction with their mothers, fathers, and best friends.

Abstract

Multilevel analyses found that perceived relationship satisfaction with mothers, fathers, and best friends was lower on days when conflict occurred with each of these parties compared with days in which no conflict occurred. Specifically, perceived relationship satisfaction was highest in a particular relationship on days when no conflict occurred, and the second highest level of satisfaction occurred on days in which constructive conflict occurred. Relationship satisfaction was lowest on days in which unconstructive conflict occurred. Regarding time frames for level of relationship satisfaction, perceived relationship satisfaction on one day was only moderately, and sometimes not significantly, related to perceived relationship satisfaction one day later in the adolescent-mother and adolescent-best friend relationship; however, in the adolescent-father relationship, this association was rather high. A possible explanation for this regards methodology, in that adolescents had to rate the relationship with their parents and best friends on a daily basis, and it is possible that they used the former day as a benchmark for their ratings; however, this does not account for the comparative differences between the parties involved in the conflict. This may pertain to the quality of the relationships and/or time spent in daily interaction with one another. Given these results, it is not likely that specific conflicts will have a long-term effect on relationship satisfaction. Future research might investigate moderators in this process. The 72 Dutch adolescents (ages 14-16) included 40 girls. In their daily diaries, the adolescents answered questions about relationships with their mothers, fathers, and best friends each day for 7 consecutive days. For each conflict that occurred, participants described the conflict resolution styles used. 4 tables and 51 references