Weakening Relationships We Try to Preserve: Motivated Sacrifice,Attachment, and Relationship Quality

Individuals' motivations for sacrificing are associated with relational outcomes, such that approach‐motivated sacrifices lead to increased satisfaction, whereas avoidance‐motivated sacrifices lead to decreased satisfaction ( Impett et al., 2005 ). Because attachment styles are associated with relational outcomes ( Feeney & Collins, 2003 ), the current study examined whether approach‐ and avoidance‐motivated sacrifices would mediate the association between attachment and satisfaction. Results indicated that avoidance motives did not mediate the relationship between attachment avoidance and satisfaction. However, avoidance motives mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety and satisfaction, whereas approach motives suppressed that relationship. Taken together, these findings suggest that individuals high in attachment anxiety (but not attachment avoidance) seem to unintentionally weaken the relationship for which they are making sacrifices.     

The actor–partner interdependence model for categorical dyadic data: A user‐friendly guide to GEE

The actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) has been widely used for the analysis of pairs of individuals who interact with each other. The goal of this article is to detail in a nontechnical way how the APIM for binary or count outcomes can be implemented and how actor and partner effects can be estimated using generalized estimating equations (GEE) methodology. Both SPSS‐ and SAS‐syntax needed to estimate the model and the interpretation of the output are illustrated using data from a study exploring the effect of satisfaction with the relationship before the breakup on unwanted pursuit behavior after the breakup in formerly married partners. The use of this GEE method will allow researchers to test a wide array of research hypotheses.