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Less is known of youth workers' views on their development of relationships with older adolescents and emerging adults in the U.S. This qualitative study examined youth worker perspectives on strategies used to develop relationships with older adolescents and emerging adults. Twelve youth workers and one key stakeholder participated. Youth workers based relationships on positive affirmation and trust. Youth workers developed relationships through non-verbal and verbal communication. They created space for relationships to grow and change. Study findings may be useful as a flexible guide for youth workers to approach building relationships with older adolescents or emerging adults in the U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paper aims to examine the dynamics of coopetitive relationships in a high level of environmental uncertainty caused by COVID-19 pandemic. We focus on three research questions: Does uncertainty influence coopetitive practices? What are the primary cooperation areas between competitors under uncertainty? Are the changes in coopetitive behaviour permanent or temporary? Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative, cross-case study design (n = 18) was used to explore this topic. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with key informants (PAPI technique). Findings: Our findings suggest that pandemic-induced uncertainty had a neutral to positive effect on coopetitive behaviour. Most companies either maintained or increased their collaboration levels, often significantly. The main cooperative areas encouraged by the pandemic included open information exchange, joint lobbying efforts on legal issues, and subcontracting work among competitors. The durability of these changes is uncertain as many firms reverted to pre-pandemic cooperation levels. On the other hand, some managers reported the development of a collaborative rather than confrontational mindset what suggests potential for sustained coopetition. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited by its qualitative, case-study approach, which constrains generalisability and may include respondent subjectivity. Additionally, the research focused on a single country, meaning multinational studies are needed to verify universal applicability, as coopetitive behaviours can vary by national context. Originality/value: The main contribution of this paper is the identification of the main areas of coopetition and the examination of its dynamics and durability in the highly unpredictable environment during the pandemic. The study referred to pandemics and its consequences, however, the research results could be applicable to other highly uncertain environments, e.g. wars, natural disasters, political upheaval and other environmental shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like online dating sites, mobile dating applications are popular technologies for navigating the dating market, whether for seeking romantic relationships or sexual partners. The searching-matching-interacting (SMI) framework describes mate selection in the dating market and how mediated market intermediaries (e.g., dating apps) can aid these functions. We conducted in-depth interviews (N = 37) to explore dating app use during relationship initiation and relationship escalation, examining the SMI framework. For searching and matching, perceptions of affordances such as visibility, searchability, and locatability governed participants' selection and use of apps. Examining the interacting function, our findings provide some of the first empirical support for modality weaving during relationship development. Rather than a simple modality switch from app to face-to-face, participants reported integrating multiple interpersonal and masspersonal channels, including social media, texting, and video. Channel transitions were made based on goals (e.g., relationship escalation, verification, uncertainty reduction) and perceived affordances (e.g., synchronicity, editability, bandwidth, accessibility). Notably, participants' evaluations of the advantages and disadvantages of dating apps revealed several tensions and paradoxes among beliefs and behaviors. These paradoxes indicate why many users may not satisfy interpersonal goals such as hookups or long-term romantic relationships through mobile dating apps. Our findings support the viability of the SMI framework, and we extend its theorizing for studying relationship initiation and relationship development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fairness is an important topic that forms part of an organisation's sustainability practice and agenda, particularly from a social dimension. However, past studies have rarely considered the role of fairness as a driver of sustainability in multi-tier supply chains. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, it examines the impact of fairness perceptions on the relationship between multi-tier supply chain partners. Second, it investigates the dynamics of on-going fairness formations in different stages of the vibrant multi-tier supply chain relationship development process. These gaps have been addressed by reporting the findings of qualitative research. Primary data were obtained from 18 procurement and supply practitioners of buying firms and their top tier-1 & 2 suppliers. Findings show that fairness perceptions have an impact on collaborative activities between multi-tier supply chain partners. These collaborative responses such as information sharing, joint relationship effort, and dedicated investment can also impact critical aspects of the multi-tier supply chain relationship such as trust, commitment, satisfaction, and conflict resolution. The findings show that multi-tier supply chain partners have different expectations but usually evaluate fairness at the review phase of the relationship development process. These considerations offer theoretical and practical guidance towards the advancement of sustainable multi-tier supply chain relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMotivating viewers’ relationship development with live-streaming streamers faces challenge. This study fills this gap by proposing a model based on an integrated framework between flow and relationship management. We seek to analyze how post-adoption is facilitated by relationship development with streamers, which in turn is influenced by live-streaming socio-technical features and flow (optimal experience). Specifically, we conceptualize response to optimal experience as two-stage post-adoption, including relationship development and outcomes (emotional connectedness and donation). Empirical results support most hypotheses, showing that group norms and interactivity exert significant influence on flow, which in turn affects outcomes through relationship development. We provide implications for research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study takes a relational stage approach to understanding the role of online dating in the progression of relationships toward marriage. Fifty interviews were conducted with individuals from across the United States (ages 21–62; M age = 33.42) who were married or engaged to someone they met via online dating. The results present a comprehensive view of online dating through 4 stages and 13 subcategories of relationship development. Participants described meeting through a process of technology-enabled relationship initiation. Once the relationship escalated offline, they entered a period of multimodal development that demonstrated the enduring influence technology continued to have after meeting in person. Throughout this process, participants stressed the role of online dating platforms in breaking down barriers and reinforcing divisions. Three outcomes for marriage were also uncovered. Findings from this study suggest that online dating is changing more than where couples meet and have theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the subjective process of catching feelings, which are the unintentional, unexpected, and surprising yet desirable feelings that can arise during relationship development. In a two-step collection process of focus groups (n = 17) and individual interviews (n = 15), collegiate adults completed guided narrative mapping and elicitation interviews. Analysis of the narrative maps and interviews identified three key ways individuals make sense of the catching feeling process: (1) finding the right "moment" to communicate feelings and take action, (2) "picking up the pace" by increasing the frequency and depth of communication, and (3) seeing catching feeling as a "choose your own adventure" experience, where certain decisions lead to certain relational outcomes. These findings offer insight into perceptions and expectations of adult contemporary romantic relationships when they make decisions about relationship initiation in catching feelings experiences. The visual illustrations of their maps draw on their experiences and tie contemporary lexica with actualized or perceived experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More enduring formal youth mentoring relationships tend to be more effective, but our understanding of how such relationships develop and are sustained remains limited. This prospective, qualitative study examined the development of 67 one‐to‐one, community‐based mentoring relationships over a 2‐year period. Data included interviews with mentors, youth, and the youth's parent/guardian across multiple time‐points and agency case notes. Five developmental trajectories were identified: (a) continued growth, (b) initial growth that plateaued, (c) initial growth followed by decline and then recovery, (d) initial growth followed by decline with no recovery, and (e) little to no growth or connection. Matches in the continued growth and recovery groups were more enduring and experienced by participants as meaningful connections. Factors that appeared to have contributed to these different trajectories were youth interest in the mentoring relationship, mentor empathy, flexibility, and commitment, and program support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the connections among relational dialectics, the relational stage model, and attachment by assessing how individuals with differing attachment tendencies navigate conflicting desires at various stages of romantic relationships. Findings from a cross-sectional survey (N = 188) revealed that dialectical tensions were less intense for individuals in more advanced stages of relationship development compared to those in the earlier stages. Further, attachment anxiety and avoidance demonstrated positive associations with feelings of the dialectical tensions. Although interaction effects with relationship stage and attachment were not observed, significant main effects provide important implications for interpersonal scholarship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The complex nature of inter-organizational relationships can be reflected in the number, level, and changes of their features. Focusing on two essential features of relationships – trust and commitment – we explore how they change in the particular phase of the relationship life cycle. Design/methodology/approach: Using the existing findings from a systematic literature review on IOR features, we aimed to qualitatively verify the changes over the time of two crucial relational characteristics – trust and commitment. Next, using a quantitative surveying, we tested the changeability of these two on a large-scale sample (786) from the software industry in Poland. Findings: With strong empirical support, we found the level of trust and commitment intensity as changing in a non-linear manner through the relationship life cycle. Logically, they both increase across the initial, development, and maintenance phases, while in the termination phase they decline. However, the results show that they can rise when the relationship is reactivated. Research limitations/implications: Due to the industry and cultural-specific limitations, comparative studies on several industries in cross-cultural conditions are recommended. We need further research on a holistic view of relationship characteristics and their changeability through the relationship life cycle. Furthermore, the validity of the cyclical treatment of relationship dynamics is worth reviewing. Originality/value: We investigate the significance of trust and commitment in inter-organizational relationship development using a mixed research approach. Additionally, as a methodological contribution, this article offers the operationalization and measurement of the above-mentioned features.

The increased potential and speed of the Internet has changed the nature of sexual crimes against children. It enables individuals with a sexual interest in children to meet, interact, and engage in illegal activities. The literature review presented here aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge and understanding of trust and relationship development among users of online networks that are dedicated to the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. A systematic search using six databases was conducted to identify relevant literature from a psychological and a criminological perspective. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria that centered around the key aspects of the literature review's research question, namely, (i) child sexual exploitation and abuse, (ii) Dark Web platforms, (iii) online forums and networks, and (iv) trust and relationship development. Our findings reveal that the engagement in interpersonal communication and interactions with like-minded others serves various functions, including validation, normalization, and support, as well as access to expert advice, information, and material. Dark Web networks are high-stake and risky environments, where users have to manage a continuous flow of threats, with information about others and their trustworthiness being limited. The establishment and maintenance of trust is of social and technical relevance, and users have to navigate a number of demands and commitments. Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical and practical implications, as well as directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purposeUnderstanding the barriers and facilitators to intimate relationship development among women with physical disabilities is crucial for promoting positive rehabilitation outcomes. This study investigates these factors using a Consensual Qualitative Research approach.MethodsThe research team utilized Consensual Qualitative Research. Consensual Qualitative Research is widely used in various social services to address limitations inherent limitations of other qualitative methods. Women with various physical disabilities (n=6) were identified and interviewed using a utilized a semi-structured interview. Their attitudes towards intimacy, outcome expectancy, and self-concept of women with physical disabilities were examined. The impact of physical disabilities, including disability stigma, on these factors was also assessed. Data was coded utilizing multiple researcher consensus as well as an auditor to consensually agree upon domains and core ideas while taking into account validity and trustworthiness, as per the methodology chosen.ResultsThe study discovered general themes (100% representation) concerning core values and barriers to intimacy, societal barriers to intimate relationships, and hope for future relationships. Typical themes (50-83% representation) included non-romantic intimacy, physical barriers to intimacy, perceived limitations, and negative outcome expectancies. Across the board, the influence of disability limitations, identity, and societal attitudes became evident. The role of rehabilitation professionals in advocating for social skills development and self-confidence enhancement emerged as crucial.ConclusionsThe study illuminated barriers to intimacy among women with physical disabilities, such as societal stigma and self-concept associated with disability. The critical role of rehabilitation professionals in normalizing intimacy discussions and equipping individuals with necessary social skills and self-confidence was underscored. This focus could yield enhanced intimate relationship outcomes and improve the quality of life for women with physical disabilities.

This study explores father-child relationship development through participation in an Outward Bound (OB) family course, using the lens of identity theory. Data were collected through participant observation and in-depth interviews of fathers, children, and instructors (n = 21). Grounded theory techniques were used to portray participant and instructor perceptions of course participation and the subsequent impact on father-child relationships. Specific attention was given to the ways in which the OB course functioned as a perceived disruption to established roles and the ways in which mutually understood roles and obligations were renegotiated in response to the demands of the situation. Elements of fear and care-taking were identified as contributing to this process, and the potential emergence of role conflict was considered. The OB course was found to function as an equalizing experience, enabling fathers and children to reframe their perceptions of one another and positively impact their relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the relational process of catching feelings and examines how emerging adults view the catching feelings process. In a two-step collection process through focus groups (n = 17) and individual interviews (n = 15), collegiate (or early) emerging adults discussed the relational process of catching feelings. This relational process begins when initially the person who catches feelings engages in a relational investigation of their potential new partner, relying on disclosure to cultivate their budding feelings. This relational investigation, using rumination and information seeking to reduce uncertainty, helps to bring individuals closer to their Person of Interest, hopefully culminating in mutual disclosure and connection. These findings offer insight into the conceptualization of emerging adult contemporary romantic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Local governments in Nigeria were created to bring development closer to the people at the grassroots level. To accomplish this, provisions were made in the constitution and other related documents for the present of elected officers and key functionaries whose duties include cooperation in the administration of the local government affairs. It is generally argued however, that, both elected officers and the key functionaries of the local government areas in Nigeria have failed to cooperate to perform their duties creditably thereby denying the local government the much desired development. This work was undertaken to assess the elected officers’ commitment to their duties as well as their relationship with the key functionaries of the local government and the attendant effects on development. The findings revealed that the elected officers and key functionaries have reneged on their duties and wallowed in internecine feuds. These have significantly affected development at grassroots level. Descriptive research method was used in gathering facts for this work. The work proposed that for meaningful development to take place at grassroots level both elected officers and key functionaries must develop mutual confidence and respect among themselves. It recommended among others that both elected offices and key functionaries must show sufficient commitment to their duties for better decision making and service delivery.

This article deals with the development of the love relationships between the protagonists in the romances Livistros and Rodamni and Byzantine Achilleid. Focusing on the female protagonists and their characters, it pursues the potential shifts in their demeanours towards their male counterparts. The method used for the analysis of the characters is the actantial model by A. J. Greimas. Firstly, the article shows how the process of courtship transformed from an act of persuading the female protagonist in Livistros and Rodamni to the rather straightforward wooing in the Achilleid, despite the use of similar courtship methods. Second, it shows that the behaviour of the female protagonists also shifted; the complexity and craftiness of Rodamni contrasts with the much more direct and decisive character of Polyxeni. The article provides evidence of a shift in the portrayal of the love relationships in erotic fiction as well as a tendency to portray the female protagonists of such works as being more self-reliant and open-hearted.

This introduction to a special Technology and Relationships issue of the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships introduces the collection of articles. It describes the editorial development of the issue, identifies how the articles are organized into three clusters reflecting the developmental arc of relationships, provides a precis of each article, and ends with reflections on a question (is technology beneficial or detrimental?) and two noteworthy aspects of the collection (theory and methodology). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Texting plays an increasingly important role in romantic relationships. Along with the increased use and impact of technology in and on relationships, technology provides new approaches to observe and study relationships. This study demonstrates the potential for using unobtrusive measures of texting obtained through mobile data donation for the study of communication behaviors during relationship development. In particular, we examine how texting behaviors change prior to relationship formation and during a relationship transition. Our analysis of 1+ million text messages that 41 college-age romantic couples sent to each other during their first year of dating demonstrates (a) the utility of digital trace data for studying romantic relationship development, (b) the importance of obtaining and analyzing actual texting behaviors when observing interpersonal communication that is frequent, fast, and variable, and (c) the need for more theoretical specificity in how and why different kinds of communication behaviors change as relationships develop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to identify the specificity and development patterns of cooperative relationships between project-based organisations. The study follows the case study research design preceded by a systematic literature review on interfirm relationship development. The study shows the uniqueness of interfirm relationships among project-based companies. Describing actors’ behaviours and patterns of interfirm relationship development, the study explains development mechanisms and gives the basics to predict the evolution of interfirm cooperation between project-based companies. The study contributes to the relationship development literature by reviewing existing interfirm relationship life-cycles models in the „project lens” and exposing new research perspective focused on project-based companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to establish, develop and maintain long-term customer relationship is important to the company. Trust is the basis of long-term customer relationship and it increases customer satisfaction, loyalty and buying more product/service. Relevant researches of trust conducted in the past is plenty and mainly adopts the cross-sectional perspective. This study takes the dynamic perspective to research how the antecedents affect trust in different customer relationship phases (awareness, exploration, expansion, commitment) . In order to understand how trust affects the two outcomes in different customer relationship phrases, satisfaction factored into two separate constructs: satisfaction with the relationship and satisfaction with the results. Relationship investment has a large, direct effect on seller objective performance. This study provides for salespeople and managers to think how to adopt strategies in different customer relationship phases to get the most reward. The results show that the effect of antecedents differs in different customer relationship phases. Transitive Trust is the most critical antecedent, the next are expertise, guanxi between salesperson and customer, gratitude. Mediating effect of trust on satisfaction with the relationship is obvious to satisfaction with the results. When managing customer relationship, the company adopts appropriate strategies in different customer relationship phases would get most relationship investment reward. Finally, this study provides several implications and suggestions in theories, practices and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humanoid social robots (HSRs) are human-made technologies that can take physical or digital form, resemble people in form or behavior to some degree, and are designed to interact with people. A common assumption is that social robots can and should mimic humans, such that human–robot interaction (HRI) closely resembles human-human (i.e., interpersonal) interaction. Research is often framed from the assumption that rules and theories that apply to interpersonal interaction should apply to HRI (e.g., the computers are social actors framework). Here, we challenge these assumptions and consider more deeply the relevance and applicability of our knowledge about personal relationships to relationships with social robots. First, we describe the typical characteristics of HSRs available to consumers currently, elaborating characteristics relevant to understanding social interactions with robots such as form anthropomorphism and behavioral anthropomorphism. We also consider common social affordances of modern HSRs (persistence, personalization, responsiveness, contingency, and conversational control) and how these align with human capacities and expectations. Next, we present predominant interpersonal theories whose primary claims are foundational to our understanding of human relationship development (social exchange theories, including resource theory, interdependence theory, equity theory, and social penetration theory). We consider whether interpersonal theories are viable frameworks for studying HRI and human–robot relationships given their theoretical assumptions and claims. We conclude by providing suggestions for researchers and designers, including alternatives to equating human–robot relationships to human-human relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining who to marry can be one of the most meaningful and daunting decisions an individual can make during their lifetime. The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of couples as they moved through varied partner selection decisions to become engaged and/or married to each other. Capturing the couples' voice moves beyond individual partner preferences and attraction tendencies by inquiring how individuals use these variables to make complex partner selection decisions within the context of the relationship. A qualitative approach is used and thematic analysis is employed to analyze the data. Interviews with five engaged or married couples revealed that as part of the relationship deepening process, pivotal illuminating moments allowed subconscious partner preferences and expectations to surface. Couples enter a process to discern partner and relationship preferences and expectations and use external feedback from family and friends as a checks-and-balances function. Couples can utilize this information to make more informed partner selection decisions. Educators, clergy, and mental health professionals can supplement the content in pre-marital education curriculums and enhance couple interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marketing scholars have long acknowledged that buyer–supplier relationships (BSRs) evolve over time. Nevertheless, truly dynamic considerations tend to be confined to the "future research" sections of papers. Performing dynamic BSR research is difficult, not only because of the requirements of data collection and analysis, but also due to the somewhat fragmented understanding of the available studies on BSR dynamics and how an overarching understanding of their findings can refine static relationship models. We conduct a systematic literature review to organize the available research on BSR dynamics. The review process reveals four overarching themes: (1) relationship continuity, (2) relationship learning, (3) relationship stages and trajectories, and (4) relationship fluctuations. We discuss each theme, describe how the themes can be applied as a dynamic lens to research questions involving BSRs, and outline research directions that might stimulate further work on relationship dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore in a pilot study which types of trust may be particularly important at different stages of the development of international business relationships. Research Design & Methods: The article presents results of qualitative research in the form of 27 interviews with representatives of top management of companies located in Poland and operating in foreign markets. Findings: Based on the interviews, the authors identified three stages of international relationship development, which are important in the context of trust. The article suggests which types of trust that exist in business relationships are the most important at the identified stages and should be developed by a trustee. It also stresses the sources of trust from a trustor angle. Implications & Recommendations: The article presents implications for companies trying to build trust in relationships with foreign counterparts. It stresses the types of trust which should be of a special interest at various stages of the relationship development, as well as gives some hints as to possible trust-building actions. Contribution & Value Added: First of all, the research concentrates on the development of the international business relationships, which are proven to have a considerable impact on company’s success in foreign markets, yet are more difficult to study and identify compared to domestic relationships. Secondly, it brings attention to specific types of trust which should be built at various stages of the international relationship development, if they should bring the expected results.

The current study examined trajectories of relationship confidence, defined as the belief that oneself and the partner together have the skills needed to navigate conflict and maintain a partnership into the future. This study uses data from a sample of 1,294 partnered but unmarried young adults to examine trajectories of relationship confidence across 11 waves of assessment over more than 4 years and the between- and within-person predictors of those trajectories. On average, relationship confidence was high at the outset of the study and remained stable over time. Underlying the overall stability, however, men's and women's trajectories flowed in opposite directions. Women started with more confidence than men, and their confidence decreased over time while men's increased, although the analysis of individuals rather than couples must be considered when interpreting this finding. Individuals in longer partnerships, who were cohabiting at Wave 1, with lower levels of avoidant attachment, more frequent positive interactions and higher satisfaction at Wave 1, and those who married during the study, had higher initial relationship confidence. Having children with a prior partner predicted lower initial confidence and faster decreases over time only for women. At the within-person level, relationship confidence was higher than usual at waves when more positive interactions, less negative interactions, and higher relationship satisfaction were reported, particularly for women. Results highlight the substantial variability in trajectories of relationship confidence among individuals in unmarried relationships as well as an array of factors that influence its development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local governments in Nigeria were created to bring development closer to the people at the grassroots level. To accomplish this, provisions were made in the constitution and other related documents for the present of elected officers and key functionaries whose duties include cooperation in the administration of the local government affairs. It is generally argued however, that, both elected officers and the key functionaries of the local government areas in Nigeria have failed to cooperate to perform their duties creditably thereby denying the local government the much desired development. This work was undertaken to assess the elected officers’ commitment to their duties as well as their relationship with the key functionaries of the local government and the attendant effects on development. The findings revealed that the elected officers and key functionaries have reneged on their duties and wallowed in internecine feuds. These have significantly affected development at grassroots level. Descriptive research method was used in gathering facts for this work. The work proposed that for meaningful development to take place at grassroots level both elected officers and key functionaries must develop mutual confidence and respect among themselves. It recommended among others that both elected offices and key functionaries must show sufficient commitment to their duties for better decision making and service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A textual relationship is defined as a relationship where intimacy with a partner is primarily sustained through text messaging. In a textual relationship, face-to-face (FtF) contact rarely, if ever, occurs. This study examines the quality of textual relationships and reasons for restricting communication to text-based channels. Participants completed an online survey about both a recently developed textual and a FtF relationship. Results indicate that the quality of participants' FtF relationships surpassed that of their textual relationships; their texting relationships, however, were still generally above the scale midpoints for relational quality. Further, the effect of relationship type on relational quality was somewhat diminished for participants in long-term textual relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual desire is typically high during early relationship stages and decreases gradually over time. In the present research, we adopted an attachment‐theoretical perspective to investigate why sexual desire for romantic partners erodes more rapidly for some people than others. We employed two samples of developing relationships (dating couples, N = 62; and newlyweds, N = 175) and examined the effects of attachment insecurities on sexual desire in prospective longitudinal designs. Results showed that attachment anxiety moderated the trajectory of men's sexual desire, such that over time, highly anxious men declined in desiring their partner, whereas less anxious men's desire did not drop. Attachment avoidance also predicted lower levels of initial desire in both sexes. These findings suggest that avoidance generally interferes with relationship initiation for both sexes, whereas anxiety in men interferes with the maintenance of desire over time, possibly because of sensitivity to increasing interdependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does a new partnership differ from its preceding one? This study investigates whether relationship dynamics change as people transition from 1 partnership to another and examines a number of predictors that might explain variation in change trajectories. We draw on data gathered from 554 focal participants in the German Family Panel (pairfam) study surveyed at 4 time points spanning 2 intimate unions to answer these questions. Latent change score modeling results showed eventual stability in 5 of 7 constructs under investigation. When looking at overall change from Time 1 in Partnership 1 to Time 2 of Partnership 2, there were no mean-level changes in relationship and sexual satisfaction, perceptions of relational instability, or frequency of conflictual and intimate exchanges. Sexual frequency and partner admiration improved across partnerships. Further analyses showed much change unfolded in the interim; all constructs showed significant deterioration as Partnership 1 drew to a close, marked improvements as individuals moved from the end of Partnership 1 into their next union, and worsening across the 1st year of Partnership 2. Neuroticism and relationship length were the most consistent predictors of change across partnerships: Those in shorter Partnership 1 relationships and with higher neuroticism typically experienced decreases in functioning across partnerships. These findings provide support for an eventual stability conceptualization of relationship development across partnerships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined developmental trajectories of willingness to sacrifice and unmitigated communion, or putting a partner's needs above one's own to the exclusion of the self. Background: Willingness to sacrifice and unmitigated communion have proven important for personal and relationship well‐being, but no prior research has sought to understand their developmental trajectories or the factors that motivate growth in each. We draw from a relational developmental systems perspective to explore these questions. Method: Latent growth curve analyses of German Family Panel data from 3,405 focal participants and their partners surveyed across seven years were used to answer the research questions. Results: Findings revealed each construct followed a declining curvilinear pattern with much variability underlying average trajectories. Women, those with more prior partnerships, and those in longer‐term relationships were less willing to sacrifice and had lower unmitigated communion at baseline. Participants were more willing to sacrifice when participants were more committed and more insecure in their partner's love. Unmitigated communion was higher when they were more committed, when they and their partners were happier with the union, and when household income was lower. Conclusion: Willingness to sacrifice and unmitigated communion develop in response to sociodemographics, personal history, and both partners' relationship cognitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although scholars have argued that people actively shape and reshape their social networks (e.g., Parks, 2016), this aspect of relational development has received little attention. This study sought to determine if people's self-perceptions of interpersonal communication skills translated into behavior that led to relationship formation in a new network. A 9-month longitudinal social network analysis (N = 94) of the residents of a first-year university residence hall using Facebook tie data was conducted to assess network changes. Results indicate that both selfperceived network centrality in a hypothetical friendship sociogram (Smith & Fink, 2015) and self-reported connector scores (Boster et al., 2011) are good longitudinal predictors of relationship development. Those who began by self-identifying as central, became central. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth-initiated mentoring (YIM), in which youth select adults from within their communities to serve as mentors in relationships that are formalized through mentoring programs, has the potential to redress problems faced by many mentoring programs that could adversely affect system-involved youth, such as volunteer attrition and premature match closures. However, only a few programs have implemented YIM, and there is little research on this approach. This qualitative interview study examines the formation of YIM relationships and how they are experienced by mentors (n = 14), youth (n = 17), and the youths' parent/guardian (n = 6). Youth tended to select adults whom they had encountered through school or social services. Findings indicate that the YIM selection process contributed to mentor, youth, and parent/guardian investment in the mentoring relationship and to the youth's rapid development of feelings of closeness and trust in the mentor. Knowing that mentors would be nonjudgmental, trustworthy, and dedicated appeared to facilitate positive relationship development, which is important given the difficulty of engaging and serving system-involved youth in mentoring programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prior literature has acknowledged the growing importance of service business markets (SBMs). However, relatively little research has examined the relationships and the motives for relationship development in SBMs. The aim of this paper is to investigate the nature of relationships and the various motives for relationship development between service provider and customers. Methodology: This paper adopts a qualitative research strategy and a case study approach. The context is the maritime industry. One of the largest container terminals in China represents a unique and revelatory case study, wherein nine container terminal-shipping line dyads are the units of analysis. The data were mostly collected via 34 semistructured interviews with maritime industry professionals. The data were triangulated by including archival records and industry reports. Findings: The interdependence and nonidentical nature of service delivery episodes are identified and considered to add to the knowledge on SBMs. This research provides evidence of the applicability of three groups of motives—economic, strategic, and social—for relationship development to SBMs. The motives are found to coexist and to have greater or lesser weight in the actors’ decision making depending on external factors, such as industry and company development stage, and internal factors, including the companies’ common vision and desire to collaborate. Contribution: Academic papers have usually focused on specific types of motives, associated with a particular theoretical framework (e.g. transaction cost theory). Motives have rarely been discussed from multiple theoretical lenses. When motives are identified it is not clear what they really imply in different contexts, and what factors cause them to appear. This paper provides a number of contributions. First, it integrates several theoretical perspectives and specifies three groups of motives for relationship development in SBMs: economic, strategic, and social. Second, through the analysis of empirical findings the paper provides a deeper understanding of each group of motives, proposing an integrated framework of motives and the factors affecting their appearance. Subsequently, the research is carried out through a dyadic perspective, which is relatively rare in SBM research. A dyadic perspective allows similarities and differences in actors’ perceptions and actions to be illuminated. Finally, the research brings in a relatively new and important context—the Chinese maritime industry. Practical implications: Knowing the needs and motives of counterparts can greatly assist SBM actors in formulating their strategies and planning their investments. It is also important that actors realize that the extent to which the other side is open to collaboration depends on the interplay of various motives. In general, business professionals should realize that end users increasingly perceive various service delivery stages within a supply chain as interdependent. Thus, to deliver a more integrated and flawless service to the end user, service providers and customers in SBMs should develop communication and collaboration beyond the operational level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]