Monitor and Acceptance among Couples in Romantic Relationships: Actor-Partner Interdependence Models Based on the Monitor and Acceptance Theory

Communication could be an essential part of couples in their daily life. Based on Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT), the present study explored the mediating role of communication in the relationship between mindfulness and relationship quality among college-student couples. The research examined the dynamic relationship of monitoring and acceptance to relationship satisfaction in the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM), and the mediating effect of positive or negative communications in these relationships. A total of 96 pairs of couples in the universities in Nanjing, China participated in the research. Momentary measurements were used to measure the momentary levels of their monitor, acceptance, positive/negative communication, and relationship satisfaction. A Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) was used to deal with the APIM. Results showed that the women's monitor facet of state mindfulness negatively predicted men's relationship satisfaction through women's negative communication, and the women's acceptance facet of state mindfulness positively predicted women's relationship satisfaction through women's positive and negative communication at the within-person level. The study highlights the importance of cooperation in monitoring and acceptance for couples to own and hold high levels of relationship satisfaction.