The couple identity construction process in young

The couple identity construction process in young couples
[2013]-[in progress]
Research group: Raffaella Iafrate, Miriam Parise, Claudia Manzi
Partners: Proff. V. L. Vignoles, University of Sussex (UK), C. Sedikides, University of
Southampton (UK), T.N. Bradbury, UCLA (USA)
Abstract
A fundamental process for the development of couple relationships consists in the construction,
assimilation and consolidation of the couple identity between the partners (Scabini & Cigoli, 2000;
Scabini & Iafrate, 2003). Scientific literature has brought to light that a fundamental element for the
development of couple identity is the process of the adjustment of the distances between the new
couple and the family of origin. This process enables the partners to have a sense of being part of a
marital couple perceived as a new identitary dimension, side by side the filial identity (Scabini &
Cigoli, 2000; Scabini & Iafrate, 2003).
The general objective of the research project is to analyse the formation of the couple identity
during the engagement period and in the early years of marriage, with special attention given to the
distinction from the family of origin. In this project, the construct of the couple identity is
investigated with an innovative approach using multiple indicators taken from different types of
research studies: the perceived couple superiority, the other-serving bias, the attribution of monetary
value to one’s relational self, the degree of inclusion of the other in the self. From the
methodological point of view, the project combines a quantitative-longitudinal approach (three data
collection phases) and an experimental approach.
The project aims to achieve the following objectives through data collection from a broad sample of
couples and individuals involved in a couple relationship:
1. Describe the couples in the transition stage to marriage in terms of structural characteristics and
relational functioning.
2. Analyse the trend of the couple identity and family functioning of the partners in time.
3. Analyse the impact of a number of family functioning factors on the construction of couple
identity.
4. Analyse the effects of the constitution of couple identity on the individual and relational wellbeing of the partners.
Publications:
• Manzi, C., Parise, M., Iafrate, R., Sedikides, C. & Vignoles, V.L. (submitted). Insofar as you
can be part of me: The influence of intrusive parenting on young adult children's couple
identity.
• Parise, M., Manzi, C. & Iafrate, R. (submitted). Intrusive Parenting and Young Adult
Children’s Romantic Relationship Quality.
• Parise, M. (2013). Molto più di due. Costruzione dell’identità di coppia e relazioni familiari.
Vita&Pensiero, Milano
• Iafrate, R. (2013). Prefazione. In M. Parise, Molto più di due. Costruzione dell’identità di
coppia e relazioni familiari. Milan: Vita e Pensiero, pp.IX-XII.
• Parise, M., Donato, S., Iafrate, R. & Bertoni, A. Trajectories of relationship perceptions over
time in newlyweds. Poster presented at the 17th General Meeting of the European Association for
Social Psychology, Amsterdam, (Netherlands), 9- 12 July 2014.
• Parise, M., Iafrate, R. & Manzi, C. Relazioni familiari e processi identitari: intrusività
genitoriale e costruzione dell’identità di coppia. Paper presented at the XII National Congress
AIP-Sezione Sociale, Padova, 25-28 September 2013.