Distance regulation in partnerships
Nonconventional forms of partnership are increasing in Germany and many other Western countries, particularly diverse forms of "living apart together" (LAT) where the two partners of a couple live in separate households. In young adulthood, LAT is frequently an (often education- or job-related) pre-stage of living together in the same household. Later in adulthood, LAT is increasingly established as a form of living of its own right, without the intention to move into the same household in the future. Consequently, partnership becomes even more individualized, not only with regard to physical distance but also with regard to interaction and communication: couples show characteristicforms of distance regulation. The aim of this project funded by the German Research Foundation is to (a) describe different forms of distance regulation, (b) develop instruments for assessing distance regulation, (c) identify personality and relationship influences on distance regulation, and (d) study consequences of distance regulation, particularly concerning sexuality and attachment.
First results were obtained from an internet survey with more than 2.000 German participants. After statistical control of age, relationship duration, and number of children, LAT couples reported more sexual lust in the relationship, more frequent sexual intercourse with the partner, more extra-relationship affairs and more insecure attachment to the partner than couples who lived in the same household.
Further characteristics of LAT relationships were analyzed using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel. In this representative longitudinal study (approx. 23.000 respondents in 2005) it is possible to distinguish between LAT couples and couples sharing a household since 1991. The analyses revealed that (a) LAT increased historically; (b) decreases until the end of the female reproductive period (age 40 years); (c) is thereafter a life form of its own without transition into co-residence; and (d) at all ages is less stable than cohabitation and marriage (Asendorpf, 2008). In the main study of the project that was done in collaboration with Franz J. Neyer, University of Jena, Germany, 611 couples aged 18-69 years (according to wive) were assessed in a metropolitan area (Berlin) as well as in a catholic country area in Lower Saxonia, and once more 1 year later. By comparing these two subcultures within Germany, cultural influences on distance regulation can be identified. These data are currently analyzed.
A related dissertation project by Fanny Jimenez, fellow of the International Max Planck Research School LIFE investigated with similar methods attachment and distance regulation in long-distance relationships.
Financer
DFG: Sachbeihilfe
Duration of project
Start date: 01/2007
End date: 12/2010
Publications
Hagemeyer, B. & Neyer, F. J. (in press). Assessing Implicit Motivational Orientations in Couple Relationships: The Partner-Related Agency and Communion Test (PACT). Psychological Assessment. Jimenez, F. V. & Asendorpf, J. B. (2010). Shared everyday decisions and constructive communication: Protective factors in long-distance romantic relationships. Interpersona, 4, 157-182.
Asendorpf, J. B. (2008). Living Apart Together: Alters- und Kohortenabhängigkeit einer heterogenen Lebensform. Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie, 60, 749-764. Asendorpf, J. B. (2006). Bindungsstil und Sexualität. Sexuologie, 13, 130-138.
Asendorpf, J. B. (2006). Bindungsstil und Sexualität. Sexuologie, 13, 130-138.
