How Does Early Dating Couples’ Communication via Text Messaging About Alcohol Influence Alcohol Use and Attitudes?: Exploring the Moderating Roles of Relationship Power and Satisfaction

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Harrison, M. (2021). How Does Early Dating Couples’ Communication via Text Messaging About Alcohol Influence Alcohol Use and Attitudes?: Exploring the Moderating Roles of Relationship Power and Satisfaction. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

Romantic relationships have an impact on both partners’ health and well-being; however, much remains unknown regarding how health behaviors are shaped in the early stages of dating. The developmental time of emerging adulthood targets an age group where romantic relationships and alcohol use commonly intersect and may contribute to lifelong patterns of use. This study utilized novel research methodology of combining new couples’ text messages during the early stages of dating (Mlength=3.1 months, Range: .5 to 6 months) with survey data from emerging adult couples (Mage=19.4 years, SD=1.58, Range = 18-25). Advanced statistical methods (i.e., Actor Partner Interdependence Model) were used to examine how couples’ text messages about alcohol early in their romantic relationships impacted each partner intra- and interpersonally in terms of alcohol use and attitudes. Additionally, using the moderated Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, this study examined how relationship factors (i.e., relationship power and relationship satisfaction) linked to health outcomes and engagement in risk behavior moderated these relationships. Results indicated that the proportion of alcohol-related text messages between partners was significantly positively correlated with alcohol use, but not attitudes, and in a dyadic context, text messages predicted one’s own frequency of alcohol use but not their partners’ use. Moderation analyses were underpowered due to a small sample size. These findings indicate that communication about alcohol via text messages may play an important role in frequency of alcohol use among early dating couples, particularly on one’s own behavior. Research and clinical implications of this work are also discussed.

Details
Author

Harrison, Meredith

Title

How Does Early Dating Couples’ Communication via Text Messaging About Alcohol Influence Alcohol Use and Attitudes?: Exploring the Moderating Roles of Relationship Power and Satisfaction

Physical Description

1 online resource (125 pages) : PDF

Date

2021

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

Romantic relationships have an impact on both partners’ health and well-being; however, much remains unknown regarding how health behaviors are shaped in the early stages of dating. The developmental time of emerging adulthood targets an age group where romantic relationships and alcohol use commonly intersect and may contribute to lifelong patterns of use. This study utilized novel research methodology of combining new couples’ text messages during the early stages of dating (Mlength=3.1 months, Range: .5 to 6 months) with survey data from emerging adult couples (Mage=19.4 years, SD=1.58, Range = 18-25). Advanced statistical methods (i.e., Actor Partner Interdependence Model) were used to examine how couples’ text messages about alcohol early in their romantic relationships impacted each partner intra- and interpersonally in terms of alcohol use and attitudes. Additionally, using the moderated Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, this study examined how relationship factors (i.e., relationship power and relationship satisfaction) linked to health outcomes and engagement in risk behavior moderated these relationships. Results indicated that the proportion of alcohol-related text messages between partners was significantly positively correlated with alcohol use, but not attitudes, and in a dyadic context, text messages predicted one’s own frequency of alcohol use but not their partners’ use. Moderation analyses were underpowered due to a small sample size. These findings indicate that communication about alcohol via text messages may play an important role in frequency of alcohol use among early dating couples, particularly on one’s own behavior. Research and clinical implications of this work are also discussed.

Genre

doctoral dissertations

Subjects--Topics

Psychology

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Health Psychology

Advisor(s)

Montanaro, Erika

Committee Members

McAnulty, Richard
Canevello, Amy
Peterman, Amy
Turner, Tricia

Degree Note

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2021.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Harrison_uncc_0694D_12872

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:2807