Relational Turbulence and Marital Communication when Children with Autism Start School: A Longitudinal Dyadic Diary Study
Open Access
- Author:
- Brisini, Kellie Mccoown
- Graduate Program:
- Communication Arts and Sciences
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- February 23, 2018
- Committee Members:
- Denise Haunani Solomon, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Denise Haunani Solomon, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Erina Lynne Macgeorge, Committee Member
Jon F Nussbaum, Committee Member
Mary Beth Oliver, Outside Member - Keywords:
- Relational Turbulence
Relational Uncertainty
Interference from a Partner
Facilitation from a Partner
Marriage
Autism
Transition Processing
Transition to School - Abstract:
- This dissertation draws upon two theories to frame an investigation of communication strategies for alleviating the stress associated with raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Relational turbulence theory highlights relationship qualities that emerge during transitions and complicate marital functioning. In particular, the theory explains how doubts about the future of the relationship and perceptions of goal interference amplify negative experiences in romantic relationships. The experiencing life transitions model from the field of nursing identifies how attempts to increase interaction, feel connected, feel situated, and increase confidence contribute to a successful transition. In a preliminary study, these behaviors were associated with improved relational quality, as well as more positive transition experiences and outcomes among married partners in the general population. Building on that foundation, the dissertation presents two studies that examine the communication strategies that help parents of children with ASD reduce relational turbulence during stressful transitions throughout their child’s life. Study 1 surveys the landscape of transitions specific to parents of children with ASD, examines how characteristics of married relationships vary based on the type of transition experienced, and explores the communication and cognitions couples use to navigate marital transitions in this context. The study examined the transition experiences of 298 parents of children with ASD who were currently married. Participants detailed an important transition throughout the life span of their child with ASD using open-ended questions. They completed scales assessing qualities of the relationship during the transition and communication behaviors used to navigate the experience. Results demonstrate significant differences in relational qualities based on the type of transition described. In particular, the initial diagnosis received the highest ratings for transition magnitude and relational turbulence, and it was considered the most negative transition experience compared to other common transitions. Starting school for the first time was associated with the most positive transition experience ratings. Transition processing communication predicted participants’ experiences of relational uncertainty and facilitation from a partner, which predicted relational turbulence. Study 2 expands on the results from Study 1 by incorporating a longitudinal, pre- and post-test design with diary surveys. Specifically, the goal of Study 2 was to examine how married partners’ transition processing communication affects their own and their spouse’s experiences of relational uncertainty, changes in interdependence, and relational turbulence. Fifty-three couples, parents whose child with ASD started school for the first time this year, completed a pre-test, 14 dairies, and a post-test. Participants completed diary entries every three days over a 42-day period of time, beginning on the child’s first day of school. Findings for Study 2 suggest that married partners’ engagement in transition processing communication (and perception of their spouse’s communication) significantly affect their own and their spouse’s daily experiences of relational uncertainty, interference and facilitation from a partner, and relational turbulence. Parents’ reported turmoil in the relationship increased over the course of the transition, while the use of transition processing communication decreased or stayed the same. For daily experiences, spouses’ perception of their partner’s attempts to increase interaction, feel connected, feel situated, and increase confidence in the relationship were associated with decreased relational uncertainty and relational turbulence, and increased facilitation from a partner. In assessments of participants’ linear trends on the variables of interest, increases in husbands’ and wives’ transition processing communication throughout the course of the study coincided with improvement in their own reports of relational turbulence variables from pre-test to post-test. Perceptions of a spouse’s engagement in transition processing communication demonstrated similar effects, particularly for women; however, increases in one’s perceptions of a partner’s engagement in transition processing coincided with increases in partner uncertainty. Husbands’ and wives’ reports of their own engagement in transition processing communication demonstrated few significant effects on their partner’s reports of relational turbulence variables.