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. 2013 Dec;38(12):2949-57.
doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.08.028. Epub 2013 Sep 6.

Perceptions of partner drinking problems, regulation strategies and relationship outcomes

Lindsey M Rodriguez  1 , Angelo M DiBello, Clayton Neighbors
Affiliations

Perceptions of partner drinking problems, regulation strategies and relationship outcomes

Lindsey M Rodriguez et al. Addict Behav. 2013 Dec.

Abstract

The current research evaluates how perceptions of one's partner's drinking problem relate to attempts to regulate partner behavior and relationship functioning, and whether this varies by perceptions of one's own drinking. New measures are offered for Thinking about your Partner's Drinking (TPD) and Partner Management Strategies (PMS). Participants included 702 undergraduates who had been in a romantic relationship for at least three months. Participants completed an online survey assessing perceptions of problematic drinking for one's self and partner, ways in which attempts were made to regulate or restrain their partner's drinking, relationship outcomes (i.e., satisfaction, commitment, trust, and need fulfillment), and alcohol use and consequences for self and partner. Factor analyses supported a single factor for Thinking about your Partner's Drinking (TPD) and two factors for the Partner Management Strategies (PMS) scale (i.e., punishment and reward). Results using structural equation modeling indicated that perceiving one's partner to have a drinking problem was associated with lower relationship functioning. Further, this association was mediated by strategies using punishment aimed at changing one's partner's drinking, but was not mediated by strategies using rewards. Finally, moderation results suggested that this relationship was not as detrimental for participants who perceived they also had an alcohol problem. In sum, perceiving one's partner to have a drinking problem was associated with relationship problems through punishing regulation strategies, and was weaker among individuals who also perceived themselves to have a drinking problem.

Keywords: Alcohol; Interpersonal perception; Relationships.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

All three authors have declared no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The association between perceiving one’s partner to have a drinking problem (TPD) and relationship outcomes is mediated by punishing one’s partner for his or her drinking, but not by rewarding one’s partner for not drinking. Model fit was acceptable, χ2(12) = 37.09; χ2/df = 3.09; NFI = .985; TLI = .976; CFI = .990; RMSEA = .053. The estimates presented are standardized estimates. *** p < .001.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Significant interaction between perceiving one’s partner to have a drinking problem (TPD) and perceiving one’s self to have a drinking problem (TOD) in predicting relationship functioning. Model fit was acceptable, χ2(11) = 31.40; χ2/df = 2.86; NFI = .983; TLI = .971; CFI = .989; RMSEA = .050. Presented estimates are standardized. ** p < .01 *** p < .001.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Perceiving a drinking problem in the self (TOD) moderates the association between perceiving one’s partner to have a drinking problem (TPD) and relationship functioning. Please note that range of the relationship functioning latent variable corresponds with the scale of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), scores of which range from 0–151. *** p < .001
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