Understanding the Foundations of Relationship Dynamics: Predictors of Quality and Conflict

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 17 July 2026 | Viewed by 7

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol University, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
Interests: relationship satisfaction; relationship conflict; relationship maintenance; intimate partner violence; conflict resolution; cross-cultural research; psychometrics; individual differences

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Guest Editor
Departamento de Psicopedagogia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
Interests: individual differences; antisocial behavior; interpersonal relationships; personality; well-being; psychometrics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Relationship quality is a cornerstone of psychological health and overall wellbeing. High-quality intimate and interpersonal relationships are consistently linked to greater life satisfaction, resilience, and physical health, whereas conflictual or low-quality relationships predict poorer mental health, stress, and relational instability. Given the centrality of close relationships to human functioning, it is essential to identify and understand the predictors of relationship dynamics, including both the positive (e.g., intimacy, trust, satisfaction) and negative (e.g., conflict, distress, instability) dimensions.

This Special Issue seeks contributions that advance our knowledge of the factors shaping relationship quality and conflict across diverse populations (e.g., LGBTQ+ populations, multiple ethnicities) and contexts. We particularly welcome research conducted using non-WEIRD samples, recognizing that cultural, social, and structural factors may uniquely shape relationship processes. Submissions may employ a range of methodologies, including qualitative, quantitative, and experimental approaches, and may draw from both clinical and non-clinical samples. Of particular interest are studies that bridge theoretical insights with practical applications, highlighting pathways to improve relationship functioning, reduce conflict, and promote wellbeing. By bringing together diverse perspectives, this Special Issue aims to deepen our understanding of relational predictors and inform evidence-based strategies for strengthening relationships across varied settings.

Dr. Bruna Da Silva Nascimento
Dr. Renan Pereira Monteiro
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • close relationships
  • relationship dynamics
  • relationship satisfaction
  • relationship quality
  • conflict in relationships
  • conflict resolution

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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