What precludes the chilling effect? the role of power dynamics in mitigating complaints and conflict

This study included respondents who are in romantic relationships. The purpose of this study was to extend an important line of research on the chilling effect, a type of conflict avoidance, by attempting to identify a missing chilling effect in the form of a lack of irritations. This study assessed how dependence power and punitive power relates to complaints, conflict, the chilling effect, and a missing chilling effect. An additional goal was to demonstrate the possibility that there may be individual-level factors may play a role so moderating variables were included of optimism, self-control, and communal orientation. Key findings indicated punitive power playing a large role, but punitive power played a role in predicting outcomes when in interaction with the other variables. The interaction of dependence power, punitive power and communal strength resulted in the greatest chilling effect. The interaction of the two forms of power associated with less self-control resulted in greatest missing chilling effect. Findings indicate the importance of individual-level factors when studying this type of relationship phenomena.