Fighting for a Cause: How Conflict Can Produce Interdependence

Abstract

Interdependence theory (Kelley & Thibaut, 1978) illustrates the impact of partners’ behaviors as relational outcomes are dependent on such behavior. This thesis project aimed to contribute to interdependence theory by considering the influence conflict could have on its development in romantic relationships. Using a longitudinal design, the goal was to examine the change of interdependence factors (i.e., commitment, satisfaction, CLalt, power mutuality) by specific conflict variables like intensity and management responses (i.e., exit-voice-loyalty-neglect model). Time 1 (N = 135) indicated that satisfaction and the CLalt are significant predictors of commitment , which supports past research (Le & Agnew, 2003; Rusbult et al., 1998; Rusbult & Van Lange, 2003). Time 2 (N = 52) analyses demonstrated that exit behaviors and conflict intensity can produce significant changes in interdependence factors. Significant findings offer further implications for how the transformation of motivation (Kelley & Thibaut, 1978; Rusbult & Buunk, 1993) can influence interdependence in established romantic relationships. Null findings offer interesting areas of future work on conflict in romantic relationships and theoretical development for interdependence theory.