Browsing by Author "Boon, Susan D"

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    Exploring Relationship Dynamics in Polyamorous Families
    (2019-12-20) Kaiser, Melody Anne; Chu, Manwai; Radtke, H. Lorraine; Kassan, Anusha; Boon, Susan D
    The practice of polyamory appears to be increasing in North America. If so, the number of children being raised in polyamorous families will also rise. The construct of polyamory is still being formulated and more quantitative studies are needed to define, measure, and examine polyamory over time. This study compared 117 polyamorous and 193 monogamous parents on measures of relationship stability, relationship health, communication styles during conflict, relationship satisfaction, and parenting styles. A new measure that gauges monogamous and polyamorous propensities, the Monogamy Polyamory Spectrum Questionnaire (MPSQ), was also examined for its use in future polyamory research. Analyses indicated that compared to monogamous parents, polyamorous parents reported (a) having healthier relationships with more social support, companionship, and less social distress from negative relationships; (b) using the constructive communication style of compromise more, and the destructive communication styles of emotional reactivity and domination less; (c) higher relationship satisfaction; and (d) using the authoritative parenting style to a greater extent. Gender differences were only found on the MPSQ, with men scoring significantly higher than women. The MPSQ demonstrated psychometrics evidence of high reliability, good construct validity, and strong predictive validity. This study provides evidence that polyamorous families may be just as healthy, if not healthier than monogamous families. These findings have implications for counselling and health professionals, as well as for marriage and family law to ensure policies and practices do not discriminate against those who practice polyamory. Researchers may use the MPSQ to improve upon participant self-categorization and examine the stability of polyamory over time.
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    Revenge in Romantic Relationships: A Scoping Review Protocol
    (OSF, 2024-11-04) Fallahtafti, Sadeq; Boon, Susan D; El-Ariss, Ghinwa; Davison, Brianna; Wein, Shelby A; Kassam, Shayla M; Shamsi, Aimen; Tieleman, Toik
    This scoping review examines the phenomenon of revenge in romantic relationships, aiming to synthesize existing literature, identify research gaps, and propose directions for future study. Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, the review employs systematic search strategies across disciplinary and interdisciplinary databases. Eligibility criteria include studies involving individuals currently or formerly in romantic relationships, focusing explicitly on revenge as a response to perceived injustice. Studies addressing general aggression or unrelated contexts are excluded. Key themes explored include participant characteristics, methodological approaches, and the variables associated with revenge dynamics. The review highlights how revenge manifests in diverse relational and cultural settings, examining its behavioral and symbolic expressions. Results will categorize studies based on characteristics such as demographic focus, conceptual frameworks, and methodological tools. This comprehensive mapping aims to advance understanding of revenge within romantic contexts, providing a foundation for future interdisciplinary research and fostering nuanced insights into this complex relational phenomenon.