Moderated Effects of Partner Interdependence on Relational Turbulence

According to relational turbulence theory, interdependent partners exert influence in their romantic relationships through the interference and facilitation of daily routines. Programmatic scholarship consistently reveals that interference is associated positively, whereas facilitation is associated negatively, with relational turbulence in romantic relationships. However, as behavioral manifestations of interdependence that may co-occur, there is a possibility that enough facilitation from a partner might offset the effect of interference on relational turbulence. This study of romantic partners (N = 475) revealed moderated interdependence insofar as the effect of partner interference on relational turbulence was buffered by partner facilitation. This moderated effect further informed a theoretical model predicting the perceived likelihood of marriage. Thus, in relationships where daily routines are disrupted often, balancing facilitation with interference may mitigate chaotic relational states.