Turkey Couples Longitudinal Datasets | Sample 3

<b>Research Program Overview</b><br>
This dataset is Sample 3 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 3 consists of 167 romantic couples in the early stages of their relationships (“fledgling couples”). At study entry, couples had been romantically involved for an average of 3.3 months. Participants were young adults residing in Turkey. Data were collected from both partners.<br>
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<b>Relationship type:</b> Romantic couples (fledgling relationships)<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) Month 1 assessment (online), capturing baseline individual and relationship characteristics.<br>
2) A lab visit, during which partners completed two 10-minute videotaped interactions (conflict discussion and positive event discussion), which were later evaluated by RAs on relationship and affective processes. Participants completed surveys assessing relationship experiences and affective states upon arrival at the laboratory and after each interaction.<br>
3) Month 2 and 3 assessments (online)<br>
4) 6-month follow-up (online)
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<b>Methods:</b><br>
<b>Design:</b> Longitudinal, repeated-measures design, observation
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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.<br>
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<b>Monthly measures: </b>
Stressor exposure,
Positive & negative affect (PA & NA),
Relationship satisfaction & commitment,
Attachment orientations (general & partner-specific),
Perceived partner responsiveness (PPR),
Demographics (only @ Month 1),
Status quo orientation (stress related to life changes),
Quality of missed mating opportunities and of ex-partners (only @ Month 1)
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<b>Pre- and post-interaction measures:</b>
Perceived partner responsiveness,
Positive & negative affect,
State attachment orientations (partner-specific)<br><br>
<b>Month 2 & 3 measures:</b>
Same as Month 1, (minus) demographics, (plus) breakup status
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<b>Follow-up (6 months later):</b>
Breakup status (yes/no), (if yes) Breakup initiator & current relationship status,
(If in a relationship) Relationship status & commitment, (If broken up) Breakup-related regret <br><br>
<b>RA-coded behaviors:</b><br>
Conflict discussion (on a recent disagreement): responsiveness, disclosure, NA, PA, destructive & constructive conflict behaviors, negativity of disagreement topic, communicating commitment, communicating rationally [than emotionally], recognizing partner’s efforts in the relationship<br>
Positive event discussion (on a shared pleasant experience): responsiveness, NA, PA, disclosure, positive behaviors, positivity of discussion topic, frequency of negative communications
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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 Bilkent University when data collection for Sample 3 began and moved to Sabanci University during the data collection period. 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 3 procedures were approved by the Ethics Board at Sabanci University, protocol number: FASS-2020-24.