Turkey Couples Longitudinal Datasets | Sample 1

<b>Research Program Overview</b><br>
This dataset is Sample 1 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 1 consists of 151 romantic couples in the early stages of their relationships (“fledgling couples”). At study entry, couples had been romantically involved for an average of 2.1 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) Pre-diary assessment (lab), 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 (lab)<br>
4) Four quarterly 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 quarterly 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.<br>
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<b>Pre-diary measures: </b>
Attachment orientations (partner-specific),
Life satisfaction,
Psychological well-being,
Fear of being single,
Relationship quality,
Demographics
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<b>Diary measures (21-day):</b>
Perceived partner responsiveness,
Daily hassles & uplifts (whether each involves partner?),
Positive & negative affect,
Self-disclosure
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<b>Immediate post-diary measures:</b>
Same as pre-diary,
(minus) demographics
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<b>Follow-ups (4x quarterly):</b>
Same as pre-diary,
(plus) Perceived partner responsiveness,
(if broken up) initiator status & new relationship status
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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 at the time of Sample 1 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 1 procedures were approved by the Ethics Board at Bilkent University, protocol number: GG-2015-04-30.