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Current cross-sectional study assessed relational uncertainty and partner interference as predictors of relational turbulence in early years of marriage. Total 108 first time married couples (N =216) with age range 21-45 years (M = 30.71, SD = 5.42), 1 to 10 years of duration of marriage and minimum education of 12 years were included as research participants through purposive sampling from Lahore. Relational Uncertainty Scale (RUS; Knobloch, 2007), Partner Interference Scale (PIS; Knobloch & Solomon, 2004), Relational Turbulence Scale (RTS; Knobloch, 2007) were used as assessment measures. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) through Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) was used and Common Fate Model (Kenny, 1996; Peugh, DiLillo & Panuzio, 2013) was applied to analyze the study variables at a dyadic level, taking couples as unit of analysis. Results revealed that relational uncertainty and partner interference were positive predictors of relational turbulence in young married couples. The study has implications in marital and couple counseling.
Keywords. Relational uncertainty, partner interferen, relational turbulence, married couples
In early years of marriage, spouses face a variety of challenging situations, ranging from uncertainty in relationship to goal interference activities from the partner (Knobloch & Solomon, 2002; 2003; 2004; 2005), which in turn leads to poor adjustment and more turbulence in marriage (Theiss & Solomon, 2006a; 2006b; Theiss, Knobloch, Checton, & Magsamen-Conrad, 2009; Knobloch & Theiss, 2010 ; Theiss & Nagy, 2013). Relational turbulence is described as a subjective experience of turmoil that occurs when romantic relationships are developing (Knobloch, 2007). The different responses people give to events in a relationship point to significant questions as annoyances resulting from adjustment process with each other sometimes result in conflicts but at other times they go unnoticed establishing marital interdependence as an answer (Solomon & Knobloch, 2001; 2004; Knobloch, 2007; McLaren, 2008).
Solomon and Knobloch (2004); Solomon and Theiss (2008) presented the relational turbulence model to explain range of negative interpersonal experiences that emphasize the distress period couples experience initially in close relationships. Consequently, the model illuminates relational turbulence as excessive affective, cognitive and behavioral reactivity or responsiveness to events of interpersonal nature. In the past decade studies have been conducted to test this model in passionate relationships (Theiss & Solomon, 2006a, 2006b ; Solomon & Theiss, 2008; Theiss et al., 2009;...