Positive and Negative Relationship Evaluation Processes as Predictors of Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

Relationship evaluation processes (REPs) are the thought processes people use to evaluate the quality of their romantic relationships (Buckingham et al., 2019, https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407519833798). The present study expanded on previous REP research by developing measures of positive REPs to parallel existing measures of negative REPs, which measure people’s tendency to focus on negative relationship behavior and fears about the future of the relationship. Data from a diverse sample of 170 US adults provided an initial confirmation of the validity of the positive REP subscales, which measure people’s tendency to focus on positive relationship behavior and hopeful thoughts about the future of the relationship. Multiple regression analysis showed that positive and negative REPs significantly predict relationship satisfaction. Whereas negative REPs were associated with less relationship satisfaction, positive REPs were associated with greater satisfaction. We also examined the roles of depression, neuroticism, and optimism in predicting REPs and satisfaction.

Keywords

• relationship evaluation
• relationship satisfaction
• positive thinking
• negative thinking
• relationship quality