Living together apart: Perceived concealment as signal of exclusion in marital relationships

C. Finkenauer, P. Kerkhof, F. Righetti, S.J.T. Branje

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This article examines how perceiving concealment in close relationships influences marital well-being. It suggests that the perception of concealment from a partner signals separateness from one's partner and contributes to feelings of perceived partner exclusion. These feelings of exclusion, in turn, should negatively affect relational quality. These predictions are tested in a prospective study among 199 newlywed couples. Results suggest that perceiving concealment reduced marital adjustment and trust and increased conflict over time. Importantly, change in perceived partner exclusion mediated these effects. This article demonstrates that the perception of concealment (a) has deleterious effects on relational well-being in the long run and (b) is harmful in part because it elicits feelings of exclusion. © 2009 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1410-1422
Number of pages13
JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Volume35
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2009

Keywords

  • Niet-toepassingsgericht onderzoek
  • Pedagogy
  • Psychologie
  • Maatschappelijke structuren en relaties
  • Jeugd
  • Logic
  • Menswetenschappen
  • Pedagogie en Andragogie/Onderwijskunde (PEAN)
  • Sociale wetenschappen
  • Jeugdhulpverlening
  • Opvoeding binnen het gezin
  • Adolescent and child psychology,m,m,
  • Ontwikkelingspsychologie
  • Overig maatschappelijk onderzoek
  • Jeugd, puberteit, adolescentie
  • Construerende Technische Wetenschappen
  • Psychology
  • Pedagogiek

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