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The positive and negative semantic dimensions of relationship satisfaction
Author(s) -
Mattson Richard E.,
Rogge Ronald D.,
Johnson Matthew D.,
Davidson Elizabeth K. B.,
Fincham Frank D.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
personal relationships
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.81
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1475-6811
pISSN - 1350-4126
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2012.01412.x
Subject(s) - psychology , semantic differential , measure (data warehouse) , convergent validity , semantic space , criterion validity , differential (mechanical device) , differential effects , social psychology , construct validity , psychometrics , internal consistency , developmental psychology , data mining , computer science , natural language processing , medicine , engineering , aerospace engineering
Semantic differential items were reconfigured to assess relationship satisfaction across separate positive and negative attitude dimensions. Study 1 ( N = 1,656) supported a 2‐factor model for the Positive and Negative Semantic Differential (PN–SMD), as well as its convergent, criterion‐related, and incremental validity over the 16‐item Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI; J. L. Funk & R. D. Rogge, 2007) using known correlates of relationship satisfaction as criteria. Study 2 ( N = 89) replicated the convergent, criterion‐related, and incremental validity findings of Study 1 using different criterion measures, the CSI, a bipolar semantic differential measure designed for assessing relationship satisfaction, and an existing 2‐dimensional measure of relationship satisfaction. The authors demonstrated across studies that the PN–SMD captures criterion‐relevant information about ambivalence versus indifference toward the relationship—associations that are only detectable when using a 2‐dimensional satisfaction measure.