Romantic relationships in a social context: deviation from social norms, perceived social support and relationship achievement

Ralić, Lea. (2014). Romantic relationships in a social context: deviation from social norms, perceived social support and relationship achievement. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Kamenov, Željka].

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between conforming to socially normative behaviour in relationships with perceived social support from the social network, as well as different outcomes in the relationship. The first part od the study was conducted using a qualitative research method, focus groups, through which young adults of heterogenous characteristics helped define some key elements of normative behaviour in relationships, and single out defining events that all normal relationships must go through. 946 young Croatian adults that are currently involved in a long, exclusive relationship participated in the second part of the study. Contrary to our expectations, we have not found a significant correlation between deviation from normative relationship progression and perceived social support from family and close friends. On the other hand, as hypothesized, a significant positive correlation between relationship achievement indicators (relationship satisfaction, stability and quality) and perceived social support was found. It was also confirmed that participants who place high value in social norm espousal show less behaviours that deviate from normative relationship progression - however, that correlation is quite small despite its significance. Finally, it was found that relationship achievement can be successfully predicted using perceived social support from family/close friends and deviation from normative relationship progression as predictor variables. This research emphasizes the importance of further exploration of the social context and extradyadic processes in the context of understanding behaviour and outcomes in intimate relationships.

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