A dyadic power theory explanation of the demand‐withdraw interaction pattern

Abstract This study explores how dyadic power theory (DPT) can explain the demand/withdraw interaction pattern (in which one partner raises an issue and the other partner avoids discussion) in a wide range of relationship types (e.g. friends, romantic partners, family, work relationships). Two surveys were conducted ( N = 155 and 91 of student and non‐student samples, respectively) where participants reported on either an unequal‐power or an equal‐power relationship in a scenario. The results were more complex than anticipated. DPT's predictions for both demand/withdraw (H1b) and relationship satisfaction (H2) were supported but found that a related pattern, criticize/defend (H1a; in which one partner critiques and the other partner defends themselves), was affected not only by the power dynamic (in the opposite direction that DPT would predict) but also by the type of relationship participants reported. In addition, equal‐power partners were more likely to use a positive interaction (RQ1) style than unequal‐power partners.