PhD: How and When do Attributions Affect Relationship Satisfaction? Partner Suitability Judgments and Implicit Theories of Relationships

Drawing on the traditional internal-external dichotomy embraced by attribution research in other non-relational domains, research on attributions in romantic relationships has largely focused on partner (internal) and external attributions. The present research highlights potential shortcomings in this approach. Given that past research on relationship cognitions has shown that people think in relationship specific ways (e.g. relational schemas; Baldwin, 1992), I propose the need for the inclusion for attributions that capture relationship-specific causes. What that in mind, the present research has developed a new measure of interpersonal attributions which refer to the perception that a partner’s behaviors are caused by their love and care (or lack of) for the self and/or the relationship. Three studies support these assertions. Studies 1 (longitudinal) and 2 (cross-sectional) demonstrate that interpersonal attributions: 1) represent a discrete factor not captured by the internal-external distinction; 2) have predictive value over and above internal and external attributions on relationship satisfaction. With the aim of explicating the direct effects between attributions and relationship satisfaction, Study 3 tests a moderated mediation model. Potential mediators in the form of cognitive and affective responses [Perceived Relationship Quality Component Index (PRQC index); Fletcher, Simpson, & Thomas, 2000] as well as partner perceptions [Interpersonal Qualities Scale (IQS); Murray, Holmes, & Griffin, 2000], and potential moderators in the form of implicit theories of relationships (Growth; Knee, 1998) are examined. Results show that although the PRQC index and IQS mediate the direct effects of interpersonal attributions on relationship satisfaction, this effect was not moderated by growth. Overall, the findings suggest that the inclusion of interpersonal attributions contribute meaningfully to the discourse on the impact of divergent attribution patterns for partner’s behaviours in close relationships.