This study evaluated the extent to which clarity, valence, and connectedness of Significant-Other-Concepts (SOCs) predicted relationship quality and emotional reactions to stressful situations using two novel experimental paradigms. Mental representations of self (self-concept) and of romantic partner (SOC), together with measures of relationship quality (conflict, depth, support, and satisfaction), were assessed for 162 undergraduate psychology students and their romantic partners. Structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression analyses showed that SOCs were related to, but distinguishable from, self-concepts, connectedness, and relationship quality. Clear SOCs uniquely predicted variance in all measures of relationship quality after controlling for self-concept, connectedness, and valence measures. SOCs also predicted some emotional reactions to stress. The evidence suggests that multiple measures of SOCs, especially clarity, provide important predictors of relationship quality.
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