Esther S. Kluwer
My research focuses on relationship maintenance processes in close relationships and currently covers four themes: revenge and forgiveness, post-divorce relationships, transition to parenthood, and work-family balance.
(1) Revenge and Forgiveness: The paradox of close relationships is that the ones we love the most can, and often do, hurt us the most. When relationship norms are violated and transgressions occur, people tend to feel resentment and estrangement towards their transgressing partner. I investigate what drives partners to engage in vengeful acts or to forgive their partner, and whether men and women differ in the reasons why and conditions under which they respond vengefully to partner transgressions, such as unfaithfulness.
(2) Post-Divorce Relationships: Even after couples divorce, their relationship does not cease to exist, especially when the ex-partners share custody over their children. An important question is to what extent feelings of revenge and forgiveness affect post-divorce relationships and the well-being of ex-partners and their children. I also conduct a research project for the Dutch Ministry of Justice on the psychological consequences of forensic mediation in post-divorce relationships.
(3) Transition to Parenthood: The transition to parenthood is generally seen as one of the most challenging events in the early stages of marriage. But is it really that detrimental for marriage and do all couples go through the same changes? My research focuses on the paradoxical finding that while relationship quality tends to decrease after the transition to parenthood, relationship stability tends to increase. I consider moderating factors that explain why some couples fare better or worse than others across the transition to parenthood.
(4) Work-Family Balance: I am a project leader on the interdisciplinary research program "Interdependencies between work and family life: an interdisciplinary approach of the work-family interface." This program integrates a social psychological and a sociological approach to work-family interference. The program consists of five Ph.D. projects, whose focus ranges from the micro-level of individual motives and behaviors in work and family life, to the macro level of the functioning of families and organizations. My specific interest is how work affects family relationships both positively and negatively.
Primary Interests:
- Aggression, Conflict, Peace
- Close Relationships
- Gender Psychology
- Interpersonal Processes
Journal Articles:
- De Dreu, C. K. W., Kluwer, E. S., & Nauta, A. (2008). The structure and management of conflict: Fighting or defending the status quo. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 11, 331-353.
- Karremans, J. C., Van Lange, P. A. M., Ouwerkerk, J. W., & Kluwer E. S. (2003). When forgiving enhances psychological well-being: The role of interpersonal commitment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 1011-1026.
- Kluwer, E. S. (2010). From partnership to parenthood: A review of marital change across the transition to parenthood. Journal of Family Theory and Review, 2, 105-125.
- Kluwer, E. S., De Dreu, C. K. W., & Buunk, B. P. (1998). Conflict in intimate versus nonintimate relationships: When gender role stereotyping overrides biased self-other judgment. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 15, 637-650.
- Kluwer, E. S., Heesink, J. A. M., & Van de Vliert, E. (2002). The division of labor across the transition to parenthood: A justice perspective. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 64, 930-943.
- Kluwer, E. S., Heesink, J. A. M., & Van de Vliert, E. (2000). The division of labor in close relationships: An asymmetrical conflict issue. Personal Relationships, 7, 263-282.
- Kluwer, E. S., Heesink, J. A. M., & Van de Vliert, E. (1997). The marital dynamics of conflict over the division of labor. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 59, 635-653.
- Kluwer, E. S., Heesink, J. A. M., & Van de Vliert, E. (1996). Marital conflict about the division of household labor and paid work. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 58, 958-969.
- Kluwer, E. S., & Johnson, M. D. (2007). Conflict frequency and relationship quality across the transition to parenthood. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 69, 1089-1106.
- Kluwer, E. S., & Karremans, J. C. (2009). Unforgiving motivations following infidelity: Should we make peace with our past? Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 28, 1298-1325.
- Kluwer, E. S., & Mikula, G. (2003). Gender-related inequalities in the division of labor in close relationships: A social psychological perspective. In M. Hewstone & W. Stroebe (Eds.), European Review of Social Psychology, 13, 185-216.
- Kluwer, E. S., Tumewu, M., & Van den Bos, K. (2009). Men’s and women’s reactions to fair and unfair treatment in relationship conflict. Personal Relationships, 16, 455-474.
- Roeters, A., Van der Lippe, T., & Kluwer, E. S. (2009). Parental work demands and the frequency of child-related routine and interactive activities. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 71, 1193-1204.
- Ten Brummelhuis, L., Van der Lippe, T., & Kluwer, E. S. (2009). Family involvement and helping behavior in teams. Journal of Management, XX,1-25.
- Ten Brummelhuis, L., Van der Lippe, T., Kluwer, E. S., & Flap, H. (2008). Positive and negative effects of family involvement on work-related burnout. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73, 387-396.
Courses Taught:
- Academic Professional Social, Health and Organisational Psychology
- Advances in Research in Behavioral Regulation
- How to Present
- Interpersonal Processes
Esther S. Kluwer
Department of Social and Organizational Psychology
Utrecht University
Heidelberglaan 1
3584 CS Utrecht
The Netherlands
- Phone: 31-30-2539190
- Fax: 31-302534718