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Dynamic association between perceived conflict and communication behavior in intimate relationships: The moderating effect of traumatic experience
Author(s) -
Liu Xiaoyan,
Chen Sicheng,
Zhang Qian,
Wen Xue,
Xu Wei
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
psych journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 14
eISSN - 2046-0260
pISSN - 2046-0252
DOI - 10.1002/pchj.453
Subject(s) - psychology , association (psychology) , interpersonal communication , multilevel model , social psychology , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , psychotherapist , machine learning , computer science
Many individuals may face traumatic events throughout their lives. For intimate relationship partners, early traumatic experiences can have a specific effect on their interpersonal communication. This study examined the moderating effect of traumatic experiences at early ages between perceived conflict and communication behavior among individuals in an intimate relationship. A total of 186 college students in intimate relationships reported their perceived conflict and communication behaviors with their partners three times a day for 14 days using ambulatory assessment. Findings from the multilevel model showed that a higher level of perceived conflict significantly positively associated with negative communication and negatively correlated with positive communication at the within‐person level. Traumatic experiences at the between‐person level moderated the within‐person level associations between the dynamic perceived conflict and negative and positive communication behavior. However, the moderating effect of traumatic experiences on the association between perceived conflict and positive communication was contrary to the hypothesis. Daily perceived conflict was associated with daily communication behavior. For those with early traumatic experiences, the relationship between negative communication and conflict was stronger than for those who had not experienced such trauma.