Fluctuation in on‐again/off‐again romantic relationships: Foreboding or functional?

This study explored how fluctuations in satisfaction and perceived partner commitment were associated with stability measures (e.g., commitment, perceived stability, relational uncertainty, turbulence) in both on‐again/off‐again and noncyclical relationships. Participants completed an initial survey, 8 weekly surveys, and a final survey. Results suggest fluctuation in perceived partner commitment across the weekly surveys was associated with all measures of stability when moderated by relationship type; fluctuation was negatively associated with the stability measures for noncyclical relationships but positively for on–off relationships. For fluctuation in satisfaction, this same pattern was found for commitment only. Overall, fluctuation, particularly in perceived partner commitment, was not viewed as disruptive for on–off partners; rather, fluctuation appeared to foster more steady and viable views of the relationship.     

Steroid Regulation of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)

The present review is dedicated to the work of B.S. Mc Ewen on the regulatory effects of steroid hormones on peptidergic neurotransmission in the brain and pituitary. The focus is on the discoveries encompassing almost two decades of work on the central and neuroendocrine regulation of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) by both corticosteroids and estrogens.