(PS4-D98) Relationship Quality Interview (RQI) Dimensions as Predictors of Relationship Dissolution at Five-year Follow-up Among Mexican-american Newlyweds

Background: The Relationship Quality Interview (RQI) is a semi-structured interview that assesses relationship quality through five distinct dimensions: (1) emotional intimacy, (2) quality of the sexual relationship, (3) inter-partner support, (4) respect/acceptance, and (5) conflict management and recovery. Among non-Latine White, different-sex newlyweds, all five of the RQI dimensions predict trajectories of change in marital satisfaction over the first three years of marriage, with quality of the sexual relationship and conflict management being the strongest predictors of change. However, it is unknown whether the same RQI dimensions are important to the relationship health of Mexican-American couples, who often face additional stressors (e.g., racism, acculturative stress, poverty) that might be associated with more negative marital trajectories. The purpose of this study is to assess whether RQI dimensions measured at Time 1 (less than six months of marriage) were associated with relationship dissolution at five-year follow-up among Mexican-American newlywed couples.

Method: The sample comprised 93 different-sex married couples in which at least one partner identified as Latine ( >95% identified as Mexican-American). At Time 1, both partners were individually administered the RQI, and each RQI dimension was rated by the interviewer. The average of both partners’ RQI ratings was calculated, yielding one score for each couple on the five RQI dimensions. At five-year follow-up, we collected information on relationship dissolution (whether the couple was still married or separated/divorced).

Results: Results showed that 19.4% (n=18) of the couples had separated/divorced at five-year follow-up. Simple correlations showed that lower emotional intimacy (r=-.26; p=.01) and respect/acceptance (r=-.31; p< .01) scores were associated with relationship dissolution. However, when all five RQI dimensions were included as predictors in a logistic regression analysis, lower emotional intimacy (b=-1.53; OR=.22; p=.04) and higher inter-partner support (b=.83; OR=2.29; p=.04) scores were associated with relationship dissolution.

Discussion: Findings suggest that emotional intimacy (i.e., trust, closeness, self-disclosure, and expressions of love and affection) may be a protective factor against relationship dissolution among Mexican-American newlyweds. Surprisingly, we found that inter-partner support provision predicted a higher likelihood of relationship dissolution. It is possible that the support processes assessed by the RQI did not fully capture participants’ experiences; existing data suggest that, among Latine couples, the presence or absence of support within the family and social environments is also critical to relationship functioning. These findings provide initial evidence that different RQI dimensions may be important to the relationship health of Mexican-American newlyweds compared to non-Latine White newlyweds, highlighting the importance of studying relationship processes among diverse couples and expanding couples interventions beyond conflict resolution skills.