Assessing Relationship Cycling with a Relational Turbulence Theory Framework

This study proposed relationship cycling (on-again/off-again relationships) as a chronic stressor that might drive experiences of turbulence. We assessed a model based on Relational Turbulence Theory (RTT) with 188 participants in romantic relationships (50 cyclical; 138 noncyclical). Relational uncertainty, interference, and facilitation were modeled to predict experiences of emotions, cognitions, and communicative aggression, and these were modeled to predict turbulence. Multigroup analyses generally supported RTT. Yet, cyclical partners reported lower relational quality (e.g. more uncertainty, aggression), and results suggested they might be desensitized to problematic behaviors and cognitions whereas emotions played a stronger role in determining their experience of turbulence.