Feeling Entrapped in Relationships: A Dyadic Model of Entrapment, Obsessive Distrust, Relationship Satisfaction, and Gender Asymmetry

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Körün A. B., Deniz M. E., Satıcı S. A.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FAMILY THERAPY, vol.55, pp.1-18, 2026 (Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 55
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/01926187.2026.2718723
  • Journal Name: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FAMILY THERAPY
  • Journal Indexes: Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Education Collection (ProQuest), Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Scopus, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO), Sociology Database (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Periodicals Index Online, CINAHL, Education Abstracts, Gender Studies Database, EBSCO Education Source, Psycinfo, Violence & Abuse Abstracts, Social Sciences Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-18
  • Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
  • Yıldız Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study examined associations among entrapment, obsessive distrust, and relationship satisfaction using the Actor–Partner Interdependence Mediation Model within a Family Systems framework. Data from 467 couples (N = 934) indicated that entrapment predicted greater obsessive distrust and lower relationship satisfaction at the actor level. Obsessive distrust predicted lower actor and partner relationship satisfaction. An asymmetric partner effect also emerged: males’ entrapment predicted females’ obsessive distrust, whereas the reverse effect was nonsignificant. These findings underscore dyadic interdependence and gender-specific relational patterns.