Turkey Couples Longitudinal Datasets | Sample 4

<b>Research Program Overview</b><br>
This dataset is Sample 4 of five interrelated datasets collected as part of the Turkey Couples Longitudinal Datasets, a research program that includes both fledgling couples and newlywed couples and spans multiple designs (e.g., daily diaries, weekly surveys, laboratory interactions, and long-term follow-ups). Across the five samples, the program includes overlapping constructs and measures, enabling replication, comparison, and cumulative analyses across relationship stages and study designs. Please see the attached research program overview (Gunaydin_Selcuk_fiveSamples_overview.pdf) for information on the other datasets.<br>
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<b>Participants:</b> Sample 4 consists of 176 romantic couples in the early stages of their marriage (“newlyweds”). At study entry, couples had been romantically involved for an average of 3.7 years. Participants were young adults residing in Turkey. Data were collected from both partners.<br>
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<b>Relationship type:</b> Romantic couples (newlyweds)<br>
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<b>Data structure:</b> Dyadic, repeated-measures<br>
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<b>Unit of analysis:</b> Individual responses nested within couples and across time<br>
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<b>Procedure:</b> <br>
Participants completed a multi-phase longitudinal protocol consisting of:<br>
1) Pre-diary assessment (online), capturing baseline individual and relationship characteristics.<br>
2) A 21-day daily diary phase (online), during which both partners completed brief daily surveys assessing relationship experiences, affective states, and interpersonal processes.<br>
3) Immediate post-diary assessment (online)<br>
4) Eight monthly follow-ups (online)<br>
This allows for the examination of both short-term daily dynamics and longer-term relationship trajectories.
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<b>Methods:</b><br>
<b>Design:</b> Longitudinal, intensive repeated-measures design
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<b>Time scale:</b> pre- and post-diary assessments, daily diary assessments (21 consecutive days) followed by 8 monthly follow-ups<br>
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<b>Measures:</b> The dataset includes core constructs that overlap with the other four samples in the research program, enabling cross-sample synthesis and cumulative analyses. Importantly, the design of the Sample 4 dataset, which recruited newlyweds, is largely similar to that of Sample 1, which recruits fledgling couples, creating opportunities to directly compare new and more established couples on relational processes.<br>
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<b>Pre-diary measures: </b>
Attachment orientations (general & partner-specific),
Conflict behaviors,
Life satisfaction,
Psychological well-being,
Relationship satisfaction,
Relationship commitment,
Perceived partner responsiveness,
Parenthood (status, plans, pregnancy status),
Residential mobility,
Demographics (only @ pre-diary),
Big-5 personality (only @ pre-diary),
Spouse’s general gratitude expression (only @ pre-diary)
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<b>Diary measures (21-day):</b>
Perceived partner responsiveness,
Daily hassles & uplifts (whether they involve the partner),
Positive & negative affect,
Daily feelings of anxiety and avoidance,
Spouse’s daily gratitude expression
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<b>Immediate post-diary and follow-ups (8 monthly assessments):</b>
Same as pre-diary,
(minus) demographics, personality, gratitude expression,
(plus @ last follow-up) COVID-related measures; relational mobility
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<b>Institutional Affiliation and Ethics</b>
Data collection was conducted by the research team during the investigators’ institutional appointments in Turkey. The PI was employed at Sabanci University at the time of Sample 4 data collection. All procedures were reviewed and approved by the relevant university ethics review board(s) and informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to participation. Sample 4 procedures were approved by the Ethics Board at Sabanci University, protocol number: FASS-2020-24.