People

Jean-Philippe Laurenceau

Intimacy processes in close relationships; diary methods and multilevel models for studying close relationship processes

Being in close relationships is a primal human experience. Indeed, many of the activities and goals most central to humans involve the initiation, development, and maintenance of close relationships. My primary area of scholarly interest concerns close relationships. This work has two facets: basic research on close relationship processes (e.g., intimacy processes, relational approach/avoidance sensitivities) and applied research on interventions targeting the prevention of the real-world problem of relationship dysfunction. A secondary area of scholarly interest is in the application of modern quantitative methods for the assessment and analysis of change. The study of change processes cuts across several areas and is the basis of much empirical psychological inquiry. In sum, I believe that my major interests lie at the intersection of clinical psychology and social/personality psychology.

Close relationship processes

Throughout my graduate and faculty career in both research and clinical work with close relationship dyads, I have been continually struck by the reciprocal relationship between marital/interpersonal interactions and individual problems/psychopathology. Developing and maintaining close, confiding, and intimate relationships with significant others has dramatic effects on emotional and physical quality of life. I hold the view that in order to understand dysfunction, we must also understand adaptive functioning and the normative processes that lead to adaptive outcomes. Thus, understanding basic factors that influence relationship processes from a normative and developmental perspective will contribute to improved understanding of how and when such processes go awry.

Researchers in relationship science have argued that the field may profit from the development of models of close relationship functioning that incorporates a diversity of important interpersonal processes and influencing factors. Thus, I am moving toward a conceptualization of adaptive relationship functioning and maintenance that integrates the role of both negative and positive relationship processes. Negative processes such as conflict, spousal support in face of stressors, and dysfunctional communication patterns have received much theoretical attention and empirical study. Nevertheless, when these negative processes are well managed in relationships, that may not necessarily indicate healthy relationship functioning. In current and forthcoming work, I draw from self-regulation approaches that incorporate goals, behaviors, and emotions into conceptions of how individuals function in daily life, and has potentially important implications for relationship functioning. I argue that the functioning of intimate relationships consists essentially of directed action oriented toward central goals such as achieving intimacy and avoiding painful interpersonal conflict. This analysis may guide us to a new understanding of emotions such as passion, excitement, depression, anxiety, distress, contentment, and serenity as they are experienced in relationships, and have them linked as a function of behavioral processes directed towards central relationship-related goals.

Applied methodological and quantitative interests

In addition to the work described above, I have also developed knowledge and interest in using diary methods (i.e., experience sampling, social interaction records, electronic daily diaries). I am also interested in the application of multilevel data analytic techniques (i.e., HLM; Hierarchical Linear Modeling) to dyadic and longitudinal data. I have also become involved in exploring the use of modern methods for the analysis of change are important tools for elucidating change processes in psychological interventions with Dr. Adele Hayes at the University of Delaware. Most recently, I have turned toward the application of dynamical systems modeling (i.e., analysis of self-regulating systems) to dyadic interpersonal processes in collaboration with Dr. Steve Boker at University of Notre Dame. If one conceptualizes individuals as dynamic systems, I am particularly interested in analyzing the inherent interdependencies between married partners as dynamical coupled systems.

Grant Funding

Representative Publications