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Article
Social Exchange Orientation and Conflict Communication in Romantic Relationships
Communication
  • Justin P. Boren, Santa Clara University
  • Amy M. Bippus
  • Sabrina Worsham
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2008
Publisher
Communication Research Reports
Disciplines
Abstract

Prior research has not conclusively established how individuals' social exchange orientation (EO) affects their communication in, and satisfaction with, romantic elationships. Surveying 466 individuals in romantic relationships, we found that concern about being underbenefitted was more strongly correlated with conflict behaviors than concern about overbenefittedness, and that conflict communication influenced the relationship between exchange orientation and relationship satisfaction. We discuss the need for further research to discover how EO may influence communication patterns as relationships develop.

Citation Information
Bippus, A. M., Boren, J. P., Worsham, S. (2008). Social exchange orientation and conflict communication in romantic relationships. Communication Research Reports, 25(3), 227-234. doi: 10.1080/08824090802237584