Interpersonal Power in Intimate Relationships

Application

Direct Use of Power

Respondents were asked to indicate, on a scale of 1 ("never") to 9 ("always"), how often they bully their partner (BULLY), and how often they assert their authority (ASSERT). We combined these two variables to create a measure of respondents' use of direct power (also rated on a scale of 1-9) and named the new variable "DIRECT".

Examine the results of the comparison of means between DIRECT and SEX, by MARITALSTATUS (as the column variable). On average, are males or females more likely to use direct forms of power in the relationship? Which group (married, living together, or dating) shows the most use of direct power?

Another measure of the use of direct power is the occurrence of violence in the relationship. Variable CR14 asked female respondents whether they have been harmed by their male partner. Consider the results of the crosstab between CR14 and marital status. What percentage of married women answered "yes" to this question? What percentage of women in dating relationships answered "yes"?

Indirect Use of Power

Respondents were asked to evaluate, on a scale of 1 ("never") to 9 ("always"), how often they manipulate (MANIPULATE), distance (DISTANCE), or beg their partner (BEG). We combined these variables to create a measure of respondents' use of indirect power, also rated on a scale of 1-9. The new variable is "INDIRECT".

Consider the results of the comparison of means between INDIRECT and SEX, by marital status. Are there substantial differences between men and women? Does the nature of the relationship appear to make a difference?

Who decides?

Respondents were asked who makes the final decision in a number of areas ranging from what car to get and how much money to spend on food, to various aspects of the couple's sex life. They were offered 5 response categories: "I always decide", "I decide more than s/he does", "We decide about equally", "S/he decides more than I do", and "S/he always decides". To simplify the analysis we recoded each variable, collapsing the categories from 5 to 3 and excluding missing data. The new variables are named CAR (who makes the final decision about what car to get?), VACATION (where to go on vacation?), APT (what apartment to get?), FOOD (how much to spend on food?), WHENSEX (when to have sex?), SEXACTIVS (what to do when couple has sex?), BRTHCTRL (whether to use birth control?), and BCTYPE (what kind of birth control to use?).

Take a look at the results of the respective crosstabs of SEX and: CAR, VACATION, APT, FOOD, WHENSEX, SEXACTIVS, BRTHCTRL, and BCTYPE. In which of these areas do men tend to make the final decision? In which areas do women tend to make the final decision? Do the results surprise you?

Do men and women's perceptions of the decision-making dynamics match?

Relationship Happiness

Respondents were asked to rate on a scale of 1-9, where 1 means "extremely unhappy" and 9 means "extremely happy", how happy they are in their relationship. We used this variable to run a comparison of means with SEX, by marital status. Take a look at the results. What is the average happiness score for women? For men? Which of the three groups (married, cohabiting, dating) reports the highest levels of relationship happiness? Which has the lowest?

Note: The online data analysis system (DAS) used on this site uses a system called Survey Documentation and Analysis (SDA), developed and maintained by the Computer-assisted Survey Methods Program (CSM) at the University of California, Berkeley. Documentation for DAS/SDA can be found on their Web site.

Goal & Concept - Dataset - Application - Interpretation & Summary - Bibliography