5.5 Relational Turbulence Theory

  • Relationship progresses in two ways

    • Qualitative change perspective: sudden tranformational change

    • Quantitative change perspective: incremental shifts

  • causes of relational turbulence during times of transition

    • relational uncertainty ,from emotion-in-relationships model, refers to “degree of confidence (or lack of confidence) that individuals have in their judgments about the nature of their relationship.” (L. Baxter and Braithwaite 2008.pp521)

      • Consists of

        • Self uncertainty

        • Partner uncertainty

        • Relationship uncertainty

    • Interference from partners: from emotion-in-relationships model, consists of

      • Inference from partners

      • Facilitation from partners

  • Under relational turbulence, people use both avoidant and aggressive messages (L. Baxter and Braithwaite 2008.pp523). It changes the message processing and message production mechanisms.

  • This theory can be applied to a broad range of contexts from couples, parents, military personnel, etc.

  • Applications:

(Solomon et al. 2016, 509)

References

Baxter, Leslie, and Dawn Braithwaite. 2008. Engaging Theories in Interpersonal Communication: Multiple Perspectives. SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483329529.
Harvey-Knowles, Jacquelyn, and Meara H. Faw. 2015. “A Relational Turbulence Model Perspective on Communication in Intimate Relationships Post-HPV Testing.” Health Communication 31 (6): 688–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2014.990080.
Solomon, Denise Haunani, Leanne K. Knobloch, Jennifer A. Theiss, and Rachel M. McLaren. 2016. “Relational Turbulence Theory: Explaining Variation in Subjective Experiences and Communication Within Romantic Relationships.” Human Communication Research 42 (4): 507–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/hcre.12091.
Theiss, Jennifer A., and Mary E. Nagy. 2013. “A Relational Turbulence Model of Partner Responsiveness and Relationship Talk Across Cultures.” Western Journal of Communication 77 (2): 186–209. https://doi.org/10.1080/10570314.2012.720746.
Tian, Xi, and Denise Haunani Solomon. 2020. “A Relational Turbulence Theory Perspective on Women’s Grief Following Miscarriage.” Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 37 (6): 1852–72. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407520910792.