Soliciting Relationship Advice: On the Predictive Roles of Relationship Commitment and Romantic Attachment
Abstract
Social interactions between dyad and network may play a role in understanding how networks influence close relationship outcomes. However, research about factors associated with exchange of relational information during these social interactions is scarce. The current work centers on relationship advice as a critical part of the communicative process through which social referents may influence relationship outcomes. Using both correlational and experimental methods across four studies, we tested relationship commitment and adult attachment as factors that may motivate or inhibit advice solicitation about a current romance. Consistent with hypotheses, in Study 1, romantic commitment was found to be negatively associated with relationship advice solicitation, and this association was mediated by less likelihood of disclosure about negative aspects of one’s current romance, which was predicted by perceptions of less relationship conflict and more problem-solving efficacy within the relationship. In Study 2, we tested experimentally the effect of commitment (high vs. low) on an individual’s tendency to solicit advice about their current romance. Due to multiple failures to manipulate commitment experimentally, we were unable to test for the predicted effect, but were able to replicate the correlational findings obtained in Study 1. In Study 3, attachment anxiety was found to be positively associated with soliciting relationship advice, whereas the attachment avoidance-relationship advice link was significant and positive only when commitment was high. In Study 4, we tested experimentally the effect of adult attachment (attachment anxiety, avoidance, and security) on advice solicitation. Due to failures to manipulate attachment experimentally, we were unable to test for the predicted effect of attachment on advice solicitation. We discuss the overall results and future directions for research on advice in romantic context.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Agnew, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Social psychology
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