Title:
An investigation of playfulness in emerging adults' romantic relationships
Author:
Kate Marie Ramsdell
Thesis Advisor:
Theresa E. DiDonato
Committee Member:
Rachel L. Grover
Committee Member:
Jason M. Prenoveau
Committee Member:
Frank D. Golom
Committee Member:
Stephen E. Fowl
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola Univeristy Maryland
Date Created:
2022
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
born digital
Abstract:
Playfulness in emerging adults has been found to be associated with intellectual and emotional strengths, lower levels of stress and more adaptive coping styles, and dexterity in creating stimulating social environments. Playfulness is also associated with markers of healthy functioning in romantic relationships, including relationship satisfaction, conflict management, and expressions of intimacy. The use of play as a behavioral manifestation of playfulness in emerging adult romantic relationships presents a burgeoning area of research. We sought to examine what may account for the link between trait playfulness and relationship satisfaction in emerging adult romantic relationships. The current correlational study examined the relation between playfulness and relationship satisfaction by exploring play behavior, positive problem solving, and positive humor use as potential mediators of this relation. We recruited a sample of 122 participants (97 women, predominately heterosexual and white, and currently involved in a romantic relationship) from a Mid-Atlantic Catholic University. The results were consistent with associations that have been demonstrated in the existing literature between trait playfulness and play behavior, playfulness and positive humor use, relationship satisfaction and play behavior, and relationship satisfaction and positive problem solving. The implications of these findings and possible future directions are discussed.
Subject:
Electronic dissertations
Subject:
Academic theses
Degree:
Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Level:
Doctor
Discipline:
Psychology
Restrictions on Access:
Author has given permission to make this work available online.
Use and Reproduction:
The authors of theses and dissertations are the copyright owners. Loyola Notre Dame Library has their permission to store and provide access to these works. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Permission is required to use materials for which Loyola Notre Dame Library, Loyola University Maryland, or Notre Dame of Maryland University hold copyright. In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of gift of purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Identifier:
RamsdellK-23
