2005/12/01 by C. Raymond Knee, Cynthia Lonsbary, Amy Canevello +1 · 2 citations
Psychology · Business, Management and Accounting · #Attachment and Relationship Dynamics #Customer Service Quality and Loyalty #Cultural Differences and Values
paper · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.89.6.997
openalex publication_date 2005/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
Four studies examined associations between E. L. Deci and R. M. Ryan's (1985, 2000) construct of autonomy, responses to relationship disagreements, and dissatisfaction after conflict. In Study 1, diary data showed that trait autonomy predicted relationship autonomy, which in turn predicted relative satisfaction after disagreements. In Study 2, trait autonomy predicted relationship autonomy, which was associated with less defensive and more understanding responses to conflict. Studies 3 and 4 examined whether one's partner's relationship autonomy uniquely predicted reported and observed behavior during conflict. Autonomous reasons for being in the relationship (of both self and partner) predicted both reported and observed responses to conflict and feelings of satisfaction.