Turning Points in Relationships

Turning points are events or relational incidents that are associated with change or transformation in a relationship. For example, participants in romantic relationships commonly report that their first kiss or first date was a significant turning point in their relationship affecting the degree of commitment between partners. Relational turning points were first conceptualized by Charles Bolton in a study examining marital dyads in which he wanted to focus on interpersonal processes that occur over time. Life-history scholars also work with the turning point concept, where it is generally understood as a transformative event in the life of an individual, in contrast to the relational focus provided by Bolton and subsequent relationship scholars. One of the key assets of focusing on turning points is that researchers are able to examine relationships and experiences from a process point of view. This entry discusses how turning points are measured through the Retrospective Interview Technique and findings from the research on turning points.

The Retrospective Interview Technique (RIT) is the most common methodological approach used to gather turning point data. The RIT allows researchers to assess both the magnitude and valence of significant turning points. For example, the first study to use this method was interested in finding out how premarital relationships change with respect to commitment to marry. The RIT was also useful in developing a relational typology indicating different pathways or trajectories that lead to marriage. Essentially, what was learned was that couples experience different turning points at different times in their relationship, which puts them on a somewhat unique path to getting married.

Using the RIT, turning points are gathered and analyzed in a two-step process that includes a participant graphing exercise accompanied by an interview. Typically, participants are asked to indicate when significant events in a given relationship have occurred since the relationship began by placing them along the x-axis of a graph that is typically marked off in monthly increments. The y-axis of the graph has traditionally been used to position turning points according to varying levels of commitment to the relationship. In past research, participants have been asked to indicate turning points along the y-axis based on how events affected their chance to marry relational partners, influenced their commitment to the relationship, or affected their degree of emotional closeness. More recent research studies have altered the y-axis to assess different kinds of relationship impact, including extent of identification with a work organization for new employees, extent of feeling like a family for stepfamily members, and the degree of commitment to, or chance of, a postdivorce relationship for ex-spouses. Overall, the graphs offer a visual representation of significant events as they have occurred over time and the impact that those events have on various relational outcomes. The open-ended companion interview asks participants to describe the turning points in their own words.

Traditionally, the RIT and turning point analysis were used in studies that evaluated developing romantic relationships. Other studies have since used the technique or modified versions of the RIT to evaluate turning points that occur in other kinds of relationships. Relationships among divorcees, blended families, grandmothers-granddaughters, mentors-mentees, academic department chairs-faculty, parents-children, friendships, and relationships involving intimate partner violence have been evaluated for significant turning points.

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