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The health-promoting influence of high-quality, supportive close relationships has been extensively documented, yet the mechanisms of this effect are less well-understood. Leading researchers have galvanized the field to test particular relationship processes and the mediating psychological processes they facilitate to pinpoint how close relationships exert their salutary effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the intimacy process on health outcomes of sleep and pain and if this effect depends on the facilitation of psychological processes in a sample of veterans and spouses (collectively called military-connected couples; N=147). Sleep problems are highly prevalent among military-connected couples and pain is highly prevalent among veterans. Results of actor-partner interdependence models revealed that perceived partner responsiveness (PPR), a core component of the intimacy process, was found to predict sleep for military-connected couples and to predict pain for veterans. Indirect effects of PPR on sleep via the psychological process of downregulation of vigilance for militaryconnected couples emerged. The indirect effect of PPR on pain via the psychological process of emotion-regulation was found for veterans only. Partner effects were observed for veteran PPR on spouse positive affect. Overall, greater PPR was associated with positive health outcomes for military-connected couples. The implications of this study include further establishing the intimacy process as a particular mechanism by which close relationships promote health as well as providing insights for holistic interventions for sleep problems and pain in military-connected couples. RESPONSIVENESS, SLEEP AND PAIN IN VETERANS AND SPOUSES ii Acknowledgements The completion of this thesis would not have been possible without the support of many wonderful people I have met throughout my graduate school training. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to my committee chair and advisor, Dr. Cynthia Mohr. I appreciate the support you have provided in this project such taking the time to provide thoughtful feedback and to foster critical thinking about this work. I would like to express my gratitude to each member of my committee for their support of this thesis. Dr. Leslie Hammer, thank you for your involvement, insights, as well as the opportunities you have granted me. Dr. Todd Bodner, thank you for your statistical expertise as well as your enthusiasm when working with me to consider analytical issues. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my partner, Brian, for always believing in me. Thanks for serving as a reminder of the health-promoting power of responsiveness throughout our life together and the challenging but rewarding journey of graduate school. RESPONSIVENESS, SLEEP AND PAIN IN VETERANS AND SPOUSES iii Table of

Perceived Partner Responsiveness, Sleep and Pain: A Dyadic Study of Military-Connected Couples