"We embrace the differences we face and it makes us stronger": A Master Narrative Approach to Examine Romantic Relationship Deviations
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2015
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Haverford College. Department of Psychology
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Thesis
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Award
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eng
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Abstract
This study investigated the detrimental effects of deviating from societal approved romantic relationship scripts through the analysis of how individuals narrate that their relationship is different from what society expects of them. By utilizing a master narrative approach, rooted in the narrative identity literature of personality, 200 participants were asked to provide narratives about how their relationship deviates from what is considered normal, acceptable and typical in society, as well as a specific experience about talking to someone else about how their relationship differs from the norm. Participants also provided responses about their individual personalities, beliefs, support from others and relationship quality. It was predicted that 1) personality, especially that of traits and implicit beliefs, would affect the way in which a narrative about a relationship is told, 2) certain narrative themes would be associated with higher relationship quality, and 3) the narrative qualities of growth, emotionality, (dis)approval, resolution and disclosure would mediate the effects that personality traits and implicit beliefs have on relationship quality. Support was found for the majority of the hypotheses— specifically extraversion, neuroticism and the growth implicit theory of relationship (ITR growth) were all correlated with narrative themes; the narrative themes of disclosure and resolution were independent predictors of relationship quality, and growth in the deviation narrative mediated the effect ITR growth had on relationship quality. Future directions and implications of this study are discussed.