Can low Behavioral Activation System predict depressive mood?: An application of non‐normal structural equation modeling

Previous studies have reported a negative correlation between the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) and the depressive mood. However, which is the cause and which is the effect cannot be determined simply by evaluating the correlation coefficients. In a series of this study, we used non‐normal structural equation modeling, which could provide a statistically plausible answer to the question on the path direction. We tested for the path direction between the variables of interest by statistically comparing all possible models. The models assuming a unidirectional path from the BAS to the depressive mood were consistently supported. This suggested that low BAS could be a predisposition to developing the depressive mood. These findings could enhance our understanding of the mechanism underlying the development of the depressive mood.     

TURNING POINTS IN DEVELOPING ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS

The 80 partners from 40 romantic relationships were independently interviewed using the RIT procedure with regard to the turning points of their respective relationships; 26 types of turning points were found, which reduced to 14 supra-types. These supra-types differed in their association with relational commitment, with some events strongly positive, some strongly negative, and others relatively modest in reported change in commitment. About half of the turning points involved explicit metacommunication between the relationship parties, but the likelihood of relationship talk varied by turning point type. About half of the 759 identified turning points were agreed upon by relationship partners, but agreement differed depending on turning point type. Neither partner agreement nor the presence of explicit metacommunication was related to the respondent's current satisfaction with the relationship. However, the proportion of total turning points that were negative correlated negatively with current satisfaction. Two turning point events, Exclusivity and Disengagement, individually differentiated more from less satisfied relationship parties.     

SELF-DISCLOSURE AS A RELATIONSHIP DISENGAGEMENT STRATEGY: AN EXPLORATORY INVESTIGATION

Interactants are strategic goal seekers in their interpersonal communication. However, to date, research has concentrated almost exclusively on the communicative strategies by which actors achieve a goal of relationship initiation. Relationship disengagement occupies an important motivational force, as well. This study initiated exploration of the communicative strategies by which actors disengage their relationships, focusing in particular on the verbal strategy of self-disclosure. Undergraduate volunteers were exposed to one of four hypothetical scenarios: Respondent Intent (Maintain or Disengage) and Other's Intent (Maintain or Disengage). Twenty Likert-type items of willingness to self-disclose on a variety of topics constituted the dependent measures and were clustered into three primary factors. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that respondents were less willing to self-disclose when they desired to disengage the relationship.     

Forms and Functions of Intimate Play in Personal Relationships

Two studies are reported on intimate play in same-sex friendships and in opposite-sex romantic relationships. In Study 1, a typology of eight play forms was derived: private verbal coding, role-playing, teasing, prosocial physical play, antisocial physical play, games, gossiping, and public performances. Study 1 also modified the Betcher PQII paper-and-pencil measure of perceived playfulness for use in nonmarital relationships, finding playfulness a strong correlate of relationship closeness. Study 2 examined the multidimensional structure of the play typology, finding three underlying dimensions for the play forms: verbal versus nonverbal, antisocial versus prosocial, and assumed-identity versus self-identity. Study 2 also examined perceptions of the functions performed by the types of play, finding differences among the eight play forms on the functions of indexing intimacy, lessening interpersonal risk, distancing self from the interaction, and conflict management.