Looking for Stability in Chaos: A Scoping Review of Relational Turbulence Theory from a Dyadic Perspective

Abstract

The current scoping review overviews articles that apply the relational turbulence model/theory to guide the implementation of actor-partner interdependence modeling within a structural equation modeling framework. Sixteen studies are examined in the final synthesis of the review. Research themes center on communication strategies and social connection, dispositional and situational factors, and, lastly, mental and physical health. Current work illustrates that scholars are primarily interested in sources of relational uncertainty and its intrapersonal and interpersonal consequences. Sources of partner influence and their implications for relational dynamics are also examined across the synthesized studies. Overall, more actor effects than partner effects were statistically significant. Commercial statistical programs appear preferred for analyzing dyadic data, and assessments of fit indices are reported to evaluate proposed analytic models in this body of research. Methodological and theoretical limitations are highlighted, and implications for future research are discussed.