LE3 .A278 2018

2018

Holmberg, Diane
Blair, Karen

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Clinical Psychology

Psychology

The current study examined a hypothesised model, which proposed that when individuals are deciding to trust a social network member’s (SNM) disapproving opinion, they will take into account the SNM’s level of perceived relationship expertise, level of perceived bias, quality of evidence given to support the SNM’s disapproving opinion, and level of perceived approval for the romantic relationship from the broader social network. The current study further investigated whether aspects of the hypothesised model varied by relationship type (i.e., marginalised relationship versus non- marginalised relationship) or social network group (i.e., friend versus family member). Using a hierarchical multiple regression, the online study (N=173) found partial support for the hypothesised model; however, no differences were found by relationship type or social network group, suggesting the process of evaluating a disapproving opinion was the same for both relationship types and network sources. Further exploration using two separate multiple mediation models revealed that commitment to the romantic partner or (separately) the SNM was an important variable to consider. Commitment levels predicted the model variables, which in turn predicted trust in the SNM’s opinion. The implications and theoretical explanations for such findings are discussed.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3187