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AbstractData from groups often have a multimember multigroup (MMMG) structure. Examples are two‐parent families with a female or male child (three members, two groups), two same‐gender and opposite‐gender peers of different status (two members, four groups), or gay, lesbian, and heterosexual couples (two members, three groups). To analyze such data, a framework called MMMG actor–partner interdependence model (MMMG APIM) is presented considering group composition. Three models are discussed in detail: the three‐member two‐group APIM, the two‐member four‐group APIM, and the two‐member three‐group APIM. Structural equation modeling and cross‐sectional and longitudinal data are used to illustrate the approach. To ease the interpretation of APIM findings, a proposal of a general classification scheme is made.

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to investigate full‐time working adults and the extent to which generative concern and gender moderate the association between positive and negative work‐to‐family spillover on life satisfaction and positive and negative affect.BackgroundFamilies are an important and viable support for many people and their well‐being. At the same time, an increasing number of women and men are working full‐time in the United States, and work is likely to spill over into family life and affect well‐being.MethodUsing data from the second wave of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, 1,570 full‐time working adults were examined. Regression analyses, controlling for education, hours worked for pay, parental status, and alternative well‐being outcomes, were conducted.ResultsThe results showed that generative concern and gender moderated the effect of negative work‐to‐family spillover on life satisfaction and the effect of positive work‐to‐family spillover on positive affect, albeit differently for women and men.ConclusionThe findings emphasize the importance of generative concern as a potential resource in full‐time working adults.ImplicationsCompanies could give employees the opportunity to pass on important skills to others, offer advice, or mentor young employees to strengthen generative concern.

AbstractObjectiveWe provide details on how relationship researchers can use Monte Carlo simulation for power estimation and sample size determination for the simple and the mediation Actor–Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). In addition to power estimates for specific sample sizes, we show how the sample size for each effect can be determined.BackgroundResearchers designing a study commonly want to know what sample size is required to detect a specific effect or in the case after data collection is completed what the power is for a specific effect.MethodThe solution we present asks for the correlations among the variables and allows for the specification of skewness and kurtosis and the incorporation of missing data. For the mediation APIM, power is estimated for the direct effects, indirect effects, and total effects.ResultsThe illustrations demonstrate that indistinguishable members require sample sizes that are about half of the sample sizes required for distinguishable members and that skewed data tend to require larger sample sizes. The illustration of the mediation APIM reveals that it is not uncommon that some of the simple indirect effects are significant, but none of the total indirect effects and none of the total effects are.ConclusionMonte Carlo simulation provides an easy‐to‐use and flexible solution to determine power and sample sizes for the simple and mediation APIM for distinguishable and indistinguishable members.ImplicationsRecommendations are made for dyadic studies with small sample sizes and studies using the mediation APIM.

The association between daily stress outside and inside of the relationship and marital functioning in the form of communication in conflict situations and marital quality was examined. We hypothesized that relationship stress mediates the association between external stress and marital functioning at the individual level, and that the association between relationship stress and marital quality is partially mediated by communication at the dyadic level. Using the Actor‐Partner Interdependence and Common Fate Model, the results of 345 couples supported our hypotheses and revealed that a person's relationship stress is more strongly related with one's own external stress than with the partner's external stress. The findings indicate that both low relationship stress and a high level of positive communication are important in relationships.

AbstractThe quality of intimate relationships has been found to be a strong negative predictor for individuals' mental and physical health problems. A significant predictor of relationship quality is adult attachment insecurity, but the mechanism by which attachment insecurity affects relationship quality needs further investigation. This study investigated whether self-compassion and compassion for one's partner mediated this association. Three hundred and forty-two individuals participated in an online survey assessing attachment anxiety and avoidance, compassionate and uncompassionate attitudes towards self and one's partner, as well as relationship quality and relationship satisfaction. The results showed that low self-compassionate attitude mediated the association between attachment anxiety and poor relationship quality. Further, low compassionate and high uncompassionate attitude towards one's partner mediated the association between attachment avoidance and poor relationship quality. No mediating effect was found for relationship satisfaction. Implications for interventions are discussed.