Title
Linking hearts and minds in couple interactions: Intentions, attributions and overriding sentiments
Document Type
Article
Version
Author's Final Manuscript
Publication Title
Journal of Family Psychology
Volume
20
Publication Date
2006
Abstract
This study examined the role of emotion and relationship satisfaction in shaping attributions about a partner’s intentions in couple interactions. Using video recall, participants (n=156 couples) reported on their own and their partners’ intentions and emotions during affective moments of a discussion about an upsetting event. Links were found between relationship satisfaction and factor-analytically derived intention and attribution scales. Attributions about a partner’s intentions were weakly to moderately correlated with the partner’s self-reported intentions. Relationship satisfaction accounted for part of the discrepancy between self-reported intentions and partner attributions. Emotions mediated the links between relationship satisfaction and attributions, suggesting that clinicians working with distressed couples should pay more attention to the emotional climate in which attributions are made.
Publisher's Statement
This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record. Published version available here: http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/fam/20/3/494/
Citation
Waldinger, R.J. & Schulz, M.S. (2006). Linking hearts and minds in couple interactions: Intentions, attributions and overriding sentiments. Journal of Family Psychology 20, 494-504.
DOI
10.1037/0893-3200.20.3.494