Date of Award

Summer 8-17-2023

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Author's Department

Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (AM/MA)

Degree Type

Thesis

Abstract

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is associated with impairment in close relationship functioning, including romantic relationships. Although interpersonal theories point to dimensions of dominance and warmth as relevant factors, the momentary interpersonal dynamics that may be contributing to relationship problems remain poorly understood. In the present study, I aimed to examine contemporaneous and prospective associations between dominance and warmth in individuals with (n = 30) and without (n = 29) SAD and their romantic partners during a 10-minute conflict task. Using the Continuous Assessment of Interpersonal Dynamics (CAID) system and multilevel dynamic structural equation modeling (ML-DSEM), I found that on average, both partners tended to become colder and more dominant over time and showed strong dominance and warmth complementarity. Prospective effects indicated that momentary ratings of dominance and warmth positively predicted subsequent ratings, and cross-lagged effects suggested that each partner’s behavior predicted change in the other over time. Critically, moderation analyses identified multiple cross-lagged effects that differed significantly as a function of primary participants’ SAD diagnosis.

Language

English (en)

Chair and Committee

Thomas Rodebaugh

Committee Members

Renee Thompson Joshua Jackson

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