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Does Couples' Communication Predict Marital Satisfaction, or Does Marital Satisfaction Predict Communication?
Journal of Marriage and Family
Abstract
The quality of communication between spouses is widely assumed to affect their subsequent judgments of relationship satisfaction, yet this assumption is rarely tested against the alternative prediction that communication is merely a consequence of spouses' prior levels of satisfaction. To evaluate these perspectives, newlywed couples' positivity, negativity, and effectiveness were observed four times at 9-month intervals, and these behaviors were examined in relation to corresponding self-reports of relationship satisfaction. Cross-sectionally, relatively satisfied couples engaged in more positive, less negative, and more effective communication. Longitudinally, reliable communication-to-satisfaction and satisfaction-to-communication associations were identified, yet neither pathway was particularly robust. These findings raise important doubts about theories and interventions that prioritize couple communication skills as the key predictor of relationship satisfaction, while raising new questions about other factors that might predict communication and satisfaction and that strengthen or moderate their association.
... Several researchers acknowledged that self-disclosure as a communication mechanism is significantly associated with couples expressed marital satisfaction and stability (Haris & Kumar, 2018;Lavner et al., 2016;Shafer et al., 2014). Generally, couples that experience satisfied and stable marital relationship revealed they engage more in constructive and systemic self-disclosure communication practice while more dysfunctional couples mainly adopt contentious styles of communication that frequently point at behavioural shortcomings and employ detrimental methods of problems resolution strategies, centering mostly on offenses and unresolved marital issues (Haris & Kumar, 2018;Lavner et al., 2016). ...
... Several researchers acknowledged that self-disclosure as a communication mechanism is significantly associated with couples expressed marital satisfaction and stability (Haris & Kumar, 2018;Lavner et al., 2016;Shafer et al., 2014). Generally, couples that experience satisfied and stable marital relationship revealed they engage more in constructive and systemic self-disclosure communication practice while more dysfunctional couples mainly adopt contentious styles of communication that frequently point at behavioural shortcomings and employ detrimental methods of problems resolution strategies, centering mostly on offenses and unresolved marital issues (Haris & Kumar, 2018;Lavner et al., 2016). Marital stability is predictable based on spousal adjustment and sexual self-disclosure by the mediating role of emotional intelligence (Mohammad et al, 2022). ...
... The reason for this development could be that self-disclosure enables couples to be conscious of each other challenges, express empathy, build trust and be supportive. Likewise, several researchers acknowledged that self-disclosure as a communication mechanism is significantly associated with couples expressed marital satisfaction and stability (Haris & Kumar, 2018;Lavner et al., 2016;Shafer et al., 2014). Generally, couples that experience satisfied and stable marital relationship revealed they engage more in constructive and systemic self-disclosure communication practice while more high-conflict couples mainly adopt harmful styles of communication that frequently point at behavioural shortcomings and employ negative approaches of problems resolution strategies, centering mostly on offenses and unresolved marital issues (Haris & Kumar, 2018;Lavner et al., 2016). ...
In this study of relationship among Marriage Counselling, Self-Disclosure, Commitment and Marital Stability among Married Female Guidance and Counselling Post-Graduate Students in South-East Nigeria were examined. The correlation research survey design of ex-post facto type was adopted. The population for this study consisted of all Married Female Guidance and Counselling Post-Graduate Students in South-East Nigeria. Two hundred Married Female Guidance and Counselling Post-Graduate students were selected purposively from five randomly selected public Universities in South-East Nigeria. Four Standardized instruments were used for collection of research data. Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis statistical tools at 0.05 level of significance were used for data analysis. The result indicates that significant relationship exists between the independent variables and the dependent variable (marital stability) in order of magnitude as thus: marriage counselling (R=0.446, p<0.05), self-disclosure (R=0.382, p<0.05) and commitment (R=0.293, p<0.05). The three independent variables (marriage counselling, self-disclosure and commitment) made a joint correlational impact of 65.5% on marital stability among married female guidance and counselling post-graduate students. Also, the result of the analysis of multiple regression produced an F-ratio of: F (3/196) = 69.21; which was significant at p<0.05 alpha level on dependent variable (marital stability). Likewise, marriage counselling had the highest relative correlation impact on marital stability (β=0.341) followed by self-disclosure (β=0.298) and then commitment (β=0.212) made the least contribution. Marriage counselling significantly correlates with dependent variable, r (198) = 0.446, p<.05. Also, self-disclosure significantly correlates with marriage stability, r (198) = 0.382, p<.05. Likewise, commitment correlates significantly with marital stability, r (198) = 0.293, p<.05. It was recommended that Married Female Guidance and Counselling Post-Graduate students should be exposed to counseling interventions that would help them develop the capacity for the level of resilience needed to maintain a stable and harmonious marriage.
... This is a two-way interaction where life satisfaction can also lead to individuals' happiness (Blasco-Belled et al., 2020). Happiness is a positive emotional state characterized by contentment and pleasure, accompanied by attributes and symptoms such as positive beliefs about life, positive emotions, and the absence of negative emotions (Lavner et al., 2016;Sepehrian-Azar et al., 2016). In other words, happiness is a mental peace that predicts desirable outcomes for life, enhances life satisfaction, and leads to optimism in individuals' lives (Chen et al., 2018;Sadeghi & Taher, 2019;Trudel-Fitzgerald et al., 2019;Yazdanpanah et al., 2019). ...
... People with high communication skills, especially verbal communication skills, can express their desires, needs, and feelings well and discuss issues and problems without turning the conversation into an argument. This leads to the experience of more positive emotions in life, which can bring happiness and joy (Lavner et al., 2016). Numerous studies confirm the effectiveness of communication skills on couples' happiness Blasco-Belled et al., 2020;Lawrence et al., 2019;Nikrahan & Ghasemi, 2019). ...
... The sessions were focused on verbal communication skills. In this intervention, each couple participated in a 60-minute session once a week for 8 weeks, where they engaged in discussions based on prior training (Azarnik et al., 2022;Lavner et al., 2016). ...
Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of combination of increased physical activity and verbal communication on life satisfaction and happiness of couples. Materials and Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test followed up. The statistical population consisted of couples referring to counseling centers and psychological services under the supervision of well-being and the organization of the Psychological System of Qom in 2019, which numbered 558 couples. The sample required by convenience sampling from counseling centers and psychological services of Qom city was 60 couples who in the process of the study eventually reached 48 couples in 3 groups (15 couples in the intervention group increased physical activity with verbal communication, 16 couples in the intervention group of increased physical activity without verbal communication and 17 couples in the intervention group with no increased physical activity) were selected. For data collection, life satisfaction questionnaire (Deiner et al., 1985) and Oxford happiness questionnaire (Hill & Argyll 2002) were used. Interventions included increased physical activity based on Pour-Ranjbar and Nematollahzadeh Mahani protocol (2005), verbal communication based on sessions of verbal communication training program (Miller et al. 2004) and intervention of the researcher's proposed combined program. In this study, the data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance using SPSS software version 25. Findings: The findings showed that the combination of increased physical activity with verbal communication had a significant effect on "life satisfaction" and "happiness of couples" with effect size of 0.31. The results of Tukey's post hoc test showed that the main factor in increasing life satisfaction and happiness of couples is increased physical activity with verbal communication. Also, the effect of increased physical activity on life satisfaction and happiness of couples was 0.23 and the effect of verbal communication on increasing life satisfaction and happiness of couples was estimated as 0.15. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that combination of all three interventions, especially increased physical activity along with verbal communication, are effective methods for increasing life satisfaction and happiness of couples, and these interventions can be used as a combined intervention.
... Several studies analyzed communication by patterns, finding that couples with high positivity and effectiveness with low levels of negativity were most successful in having the highest satisfaction (Lavner et al., 2016;Williamson, 2021). Communication marked by group enjoyment, warmth, support, humor, and listener responsiveness predicted higher satisfaction, with a greater predictive ability than negative communication patterns (Williamson et al., 2013). ...
... Adaptive patterns and styles of communication, such as affiliative humor, positive reciprocity, and effectiveness were associated with and predictive of higher satisfaction. The existing literature highlights that couples who maintain high levels of positivity and effectiveness with low negativity report the greatest satisfaction (Lavner et al., 2016;Williamson, 2021). Constructive conflict engagement, especially by female partners, has been found to protect both partners from depressive symptoms, further enhancing relationship resilience (Laurent et al., 2009). ...
Romantic relationship satisfaction predicts many domains of well-being (Gustavson et al., 2016), and dyadic communication style is strongly linked to relationship satisfaction (Meeks et al., 1998). Extensive research utilizing self-report data replicates findings that positive (e.g., validating, supportive) forms of communication are related to higher satisfaction while forms of negative communication (e.g., criticism, withdrawal) are associated with lower satisfaction (Holman & Jarvis, 2003). Interestingly, observational methods show mixed results—engagement in negative styles is linked to higher satisfaction (Gottman & Krokoff, 1989). Extant research attributes these findings to method variability in observational research (e.g., discussion type, coding system). The present systematic review seeks to clarify the relationship between couples’ observed communication and relationship satisfaction. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (Page et al., 2021) using APA PsycInfo and APA PsycArticles databases, N = 28 articles met the inclusion criteria. Articles were longitudinal (N = 16) and cross-sectional (N = 16), included observations of couples in problem solving (N = 24), social support (N = 10), positive reminiscence (N = 3), and mutually satisfying (N = 1) discussions using varying coding techniques (N = 21). All articles showed support for the link between positive communication style and higher relationship satisfaction. The results also supported the association between negative communication and higher satisfaction, with the most support for its benefit during severe topic discussions. The role of other moderators (i.e., discussion type, stress, pregnancy intention, ethnicity, gender) as well as clinical and research implications will be explored.
... Building communication skills can be particularly important to improving relationship satisfaction and creating positive change within couples and families. Families that practice functional communication are better at problemsolving and tend to have more relationship satisfaction (Lavner et al. 2016). Research also supports that clear, open, frequent, and direct communication leads to greater relationship satisfaction (Epstein et al. 1982). ...
... Research also supports that clear, open, frequent, and direct communication leads to greater relationship satisfaction (Epstein et al. 1982). It is important to note that while research supports the correlational relationship between relationship satisfaction and quality of communication, most studies' findings do not suggest cause and effect (Lavner et al. 2016); therefore, more research needs to be done to explore this relationship. ...
... This phenomenon is consistent with previous findings that one of the developmental goals during early adulthood is the need for closeness, identity, and autonomy (Santrock, 2012). Early adulthood, which spans from ages 20 to 40, is recognized as one of the longest developmental periods in human life (Lavner et al., 2016). Human development is inseparable from interpersonal relationships, which can be realized through romantic relationships. ...
... Couples in LDRs do not necessarily exhibit different levels of anxiety and commitment in their relationships. This differs from previous studies explaining how being in an LDR can influence the anxiety and commitment of couples, where non-LDR couples are assumed to have positive closeness and emotional characteristics as well as direct support that leads to a stronger commitment to the relationship, which is not present in LDR couples (Lavner et al., 2016;Markman et al. , 2010;Rhoades et al., 2009). This can be explained by the fact that individuals in LDRs who experience less anxiety are more likely to have confidence in their partners (Selsatania, 2022). ...
This study aims to investigate the role of the duration of dating on anxiety and commitment in early adulthood. The study involved 172 early adults (aged 20-30 years) who are currently in romantic relationships, selected using a purposive sampling technique. The research instruments included the anxiety scale and commitment scale, based on previous theoretical aspects. Data analysis was conducted using Two Way ANOVA with JAMOVI software to examine the role of the duration of dating on anxiety and commitment. The results of the study showed that there was no significant role of the duration of dating on anxiety and commitment. The study also examined the relationship between the duration of dating and several demographic variables such as gender, occupation, and long-distance relationship (LDR), but no significant effects were found. Therefore, it can be concluded that the duration of dating, whether long or short, does not play a role in the anxiety and commitment of couples in maintaining romantic relationships at a more serious level, such as marriage. The duration of dating was found to be unable to predict anxiety and commitment in relationships. Other variables related to dating, such as relationship quality, satisfaction, and personal factors, are considered to be more involved in predicting anxiety and commitment in dating relationships. This study has practical implications as a reference in premarital counseling and couples therapy to understand the dynamics of romantic dating relationships in individuals.
... ferramentas digitais. Nesse contexto, a aquisição de competências comunicacionais eficazes torna-se essencial para a prevenção de conflitos e para a promoção da satisfação conjugal (Lavner et al., 2016). Estudos como os de Barros et al. (2022) Dessa forma, este trabalho contribui para as relações interpessoais no campo da Psicologia, ao sinalizar a necessidade de programas que integrem os desafios contemporâneos das relações afetivas, oferecendo subsídios tanto para a prática clínica quanto para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas futuras. ...
O uso crescente de tecnologias e redes sociais tem trazido novos desafios para os relacionamentos afetivos, como a infidelidade virtual. Este estudo teve como objetivo revisar a literatura sobre treinamentos em habilidades sociais conjugais com foco na infidelidade virtual, no período de 2015 a 2023. A revisão foi conduzida com base no protocolo PRISMA e na estratégia SPIDER, abrangendo artigos nacionais e internacionais disponíveis nas bases SciELO, PePSIC, ResearchGate, PubMed, LILACS e Google Acadêmico. Foram incluídos artigos empíricos, publicados integralmente online, nos idiomas português e inglês; e excluídas produções duplicadas ou de outras naturezas, como dissertações e teses. A análise resultou em dois estudos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão, ambos envolvendo casais e intervenções. Os achados revelaram que fatores como presença de filhos, padrões de comunicação e variáveis sociodemográficas (idade e tempo de casamento) estão significativamente relacionados à satisfação conjugal e às habilidades sociais dos parceiros. Apesar da ampla discussão sobre a influência das redes sociais nos relacionamentos, observou-se escassez de estudos que integrem o uso de novas tecnologias aos treinamentos em habilidades sociais. A principal contribuição deste estudo é apontar a lacuna na literatura e propor que os conflitos conjugais ocasionados por plataformas digitais demandam intervenções específicas que articulem comunicação assertiva, negociação de limites virtuais e empatia. Ao sugerir a adaptação de treinamento de habilidades sociais à realidade digital, este trabalho oferece subsídios relevantes tanto para o avanço das futuras investigações no campo das relações interpessoais.
... Studies that explored how communication and relationship quality change concurrently are less conclusive than the aforementioned findings. For example, two independent studies found inconsistent linkages between changes in communication and changes in relationship quality (Johnson et al., 2021;Lavner et al., 2016). Indeed, in certain instances, relationship quality was a more robust predictor of later communication (than the reverse). ...
... On social media, constructive communication, and reciprocal sharing can boost relationship satisfaction, but destructive communication and oversharing can lead to disagreements and discontent. [28] Excessive social media use can lead to less time with your spouse, causing emotional distance and communication problems. According to a study by Bouffard et al., [29] excessive use of social media was associated with decreased marital satisfaction and a higher likelihood of perceiving relationship instability. ...
A BSTRACT
Introduction
The pervasive use of social media has become an integral part of daily life, influencing various aspects of individual and relational well-being. Among married couples, the impact of social media is particularly significant, as excessive engagement with social media platforms may lead to diminished self-esteem and lower life satisfaction, both of which are essential components of a healthy and fulfilling marriage.
Objective
To assess the impact of social media addiction on self-esteem and life satisfaction among married couples.
Material and Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 385 married individuals, predominantly residing in Gurugram, Haryana. The impact of social media addiction on self-esteem and life satisfaction among married couples was measured using the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results
The results indicated that the majority (44.9%) of married couples were “little addicted” to social media, while only (14.3%) showed moderate to high levels of addiction. A significant negative correlation was found between social media addiction and life satisfaction (r = -0.519, P < 0.01), while a positive correlation was observed between social media addiction and self-esteem (r = 0.329, P < 0.01). Regression analysis revealed that self-esteem positively predicts social media addiction (β = 0.201, P < .001), while life satisfaction is a negative predictor (β = -.464, P < .001).
Conclusion
Social media addiction is significantly influenced by self-esteem and life satisfaction. Specifically, higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of life satisfaction are associated with increased social media addiction. Well-balanced social media usage among married couples is essential to enhancing marital satisfaction and overall well-being.
... Miller and Rempel (2004) found that both trust and partner-enhancing attributions at one time point predicted greater trust and partner-enhancing attributions two years later. Additionally, bidirectional effects have been found between relationship satisfaction and couple communication across several years (Lavner et al., 2016), suggesting that there may also be a bidirectional effect between trust and couple communication. However, it is unclear whether trust or positive communication would more strongly predict each other over time and how these processes are associated over several years. ...
Trust and communication are both vital elements of successful couple relationships. Despite scholars positing that a sense of trust and quality communication could influence each other over time, few studies have sought to test these assumptions. The current study used a nationally representative sample of 2,168 couples to examine the bidirectional associations between trust and different communication topics across several years during the newlywed period. Specifically, three separate actor-partner interdependence (APIM) cross-lagged panel models were conducted to test the bidirectional effects between trust and general relationship communication, sexual communication, and financial communication. The results revealed bidirectional effects between trust and general relationship communication and financial communication across seven years. Different patterns emerged between trust and sexual communication, as it appeared that trust primarily predicted greater quality sexual communication across the first several years of marriage. This pattern then changed around Wave 5, where sexual communication started to predict trust more consistently. These findings emphasize the importance of both effective communication and a sense of trust across the first several years of marriage and especially underscore the salient nature of trust for quality sexual communication to take place.
... For example, anxious attachment has been found to be linked with lower levels of empathy and compassion in conflict situations as well as negative relationship communication (Pearce & Halford, 2008), including aggression against partners (Allison et al., 2008). It has been documented that communication patterns are associated with overall well-being (Siffert & Schwarz, 2011), and positive conflict communication, characterized by empathy and compassion, is key in close relationships Lavner et al., 2016;Ledermann et al., 2010). Thus, it is plausible that husbands exhibiting anxious attachment engage more likely in negative communication style, such as employing destructive responses during conflicts. ...
Insecure attachment has been found to affect an individual’s mental health. However, more studies are needed on how individual’s insecure attachment contributes to the partner’s mental health in couples. The present study examined the dyadic associations between insecure attachment and mental health in couples. Using data from 222 opposite-sex Turkish married couples (Mwives = 38.26 years, Mhusbands = 41.21), we sought to investigate whether individuals’ anxious attachment and avoidant attachment were associated with their own as well as with the spouses’ depression and anxiety. Actor–partner interdependence model analysis revealed that both husbands’ and wives’ anxious attachment were linked with their own depression and anxiety. Also, husbands’ anxious attachment was associated with wives’ anxiety. For avoidant attachment, both husbands’ and wives’ avoidant attachment were associated with their own depression, and husbands’ avoidant attachment was associated with their own anxiety. Anxious attachment explained more variance in anxiety than in depression, whereas avoidant attachment explained more variance in depression. The findings provide valuable insights for couple therapists and mental health professionals, emphasizing the consideration of partners’ anxious attachment when working with women who experience symptoms of anxiety. Integrating these findings into attachment-based couple interventions may prove useful in coping with symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. Overall, these findings contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics within insecure attachment and mental health, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the establishment of secure attachment for mental health.
... The younger age group exhibited higher social awareness, dyadic satisfaction, and lower interaction reactivity, suggesting potential developmental variations in social understanding (Hypothesis 2). These findings resonate with previous literature on the evolving nature of relationships over time and the developmental changes in social and emotional competencies within marriages (Lavner et al., 2016;Schoebi et al., 2012). The study extends this understanding by offering specific insights into the distinctive psychological and relational patterns associated with different stages of marital duration, providing valuable information for interventions and support programs tailored to couples at varying points in their marital journey. ...
This research delves into the intricate dynamics of marital commitment, communication patterns, and conflict handling among women experiencing child marriages in Pakistan. This scientific research employs a quantitative research design and survey-based methodology to investigate the intricate dynamics of marital commitment, communication patterns, and conflict handling among women experiencing child marriages in Pakistan. The study aims to comprehensively explore the interconnections among crucial variables within this specific demographic. A sample of 260 women, aged 16 to 35, with child marriages, was selected using a snowball sampling technique. Inclusion criteria encompassed women married before 18, aged ≤35, married for at least 2 years, and possessing a minimum of primary education. The research employed the Urdu versions of the Social and Emotional Competence Questionnaire (SECQ), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), Romantic Partner Conflict Scale (RPCS), Communication Patterns Questionnaire: Short Form (CPQ), Dimensions of Commitment Inventory (DCI), and Social Dominance Orientation Scale (SDO). Stepwise regression analyses are employed to unravel the predictive power of marital commitment, communication patterns, conflict handling, and social and emotional competence on marital quality. Results reveal significant insights into the complex relationships within the studied population. The findings highlight the idea of integrating community-based support networks to enhance the effectiveness of counseling interventions. Globally, these insights contribute to a broader understanding of child marriages, offering strategies that can be adapted across cultures to support women in similar situations. By focusing on these new approaches, counselors can help improve the mental health and marital outcomes of women in child marriages, both within Pakistan and internationally.
... On the one hand, as mentioned previously, the dual role of communication can set up a rather ironic process in which disadvantage may breed further disadvantage. Couples who generally struggle to communicate in an adaptive manner may be highly vulnerable On the other hand, the potential helpfulness of skills-based couple interventions has been called into question (Lavner et al., 2016) as some researchers have argued that even couples who generally exhibit good relationships skills may find themselves behaving poorly as their stress level rises (Neff & Karney, 2009). Yet, to our knowledge, this assumption that all couples are equally susceptible to experiencing communication difficulties during periods of heightened stress has never been empirically tested. ...
Although couples’ communication plays a central role in shaping relationship quality during times of stress, whether communication buffers the harmful effects of stress or deteriorates under conditions of stress remains unclear. Drawing from a longitudinal study of 171 newlywed couples, the current study reconciled these perspectives by testing the potential dual role of communication. Specifically, we hypothesized that, on average, individuals would exhibit worse observed communication when facing greater stress. However, this effect might be stronger among couples who generally communicate poorly. Results partially confirmed predictions for wives only in their support discussions. If the couple generally exhibited worse support communication, then at times when wives were experiencing greater stress, they engaged in more oppositional support behaviors. If replicated, the findings of this study may highlight the dual role communication plays as well as the importance of support communication skills training.
... Em termos de processos adaptativos, há associações bem estabelecidas na literatura entre a comunicação (Lavner et al., 2016) e as estratégias de resolução de conflitos (Delatorre & Wagner, 2019;Overall & McNulty, 2017) com a qualidade conjugal. Esses estudos mostram que estratégias de resolução de conflitos que envolvem comunicação direta, validação, negociação e a busca por um acordo estão associadas à maior qualidade conjugal, enquanto o afastamento do conflito, a culpabilização, os insultos e a postura defensiva se associam à menor qualidade do relacionamento. ...
Investigou-se o papel preditor do distanciamento social devido à pandemia da Covid-19 na qualidade conjugal e no relacionamento, assim como o papel moderador de variáveis contextuais, diádicas e individuais na interação entre tempo de distanciamento e desejo pela separação. Responderam ao instrumento 640 participantes, entre junho e julho de 2020. O distanciamento social não predisse a qualidade conjugal ou as mudanças na relação durante a pandemia, exceto pela vontade de separação. Quanto menos satisfação conjugal, resolução positiva dos conflitos e diferenciação de self, e quanto mais frequentes os conflitos, mais forte foi a relação entre tempo de distanciamento social e vontade de separação. Casais com melhores recursos individuais e conjugais se mostraram mais aptos para manejar as adversidades do contexto pandêmico.
... Instead, it can be said more precisely that when couples are more satisfied with their life; they participate in more positive work in the couple relationship, are less involved in antagonistic interactions, and will have effective communication. [39] As a result, it can be stated that a positive and constructive cycle of communication and life satisfaction can be formed in people, each of which strengthens and stabilizes the other. ...
This study aims to examine the effectiveness of communication and marital (sexual) skills in marital functioning and satisfaction and reduced marital conflicts among Iranian couples. The research literature has been collected from Magiran, SID, Noormags, ISC, and Civilica databases from 2006 to 2021. In the initial search, 104-related articles were extracted and after removing the duplicates, and screening the title and abstract, 34 articles were identified as relevant. After screening the full text of the articles, 20 studies were selected based on the inclusion criteria. According to the studies reviewed, the findings demonstrated that both interventions based on communication skills training and marital (sexual) skills training have improved marital satisfaction, sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction, and reduce marital conflicts. But the reviewed studies also had several blind spots and limitations were discussed in the article.
... Sustained self-disclosure and effective communication are critical for maintaining intimacy and relationship satisfaction in close relationships Lavner et al., 2016). Sharing work-related experiences with the partner can be a particularly effective form of selfdisclosure for dual-earner couples for the following three reasons. ...
Personal growth and self‐expressive goals have become increasingly important in modern marriages. In dual‐earner couples, sharing work‐related experiences with the partner can be particularly important in promoting mutual support for each other's personal growth. The current study examined dual‐earner couples' sharing of work‐related experiences and how it influenced both partners' relationship satisfaction and personal well‐being. A total of 102 heterosexual dual‐earner couples were recruited from communities in Hong Kong. They completed a pretest survey, a 14‐day daily diary study, and a follow‐up survey 1 year later. The Actor‐Partner Interdependence Model was adopted to analyze the dyadic effects of sharing positive and negative work‐related experiences on relationship satisfaction and personal well‐being on the same day and 1 year later. In general, the sharing of both positive and negative work‐related experiences had beneficial effects on the outcomes. Specifically, wives' sharing had more immediate effects on both partners' relational and personal well‐being, whereas husbands' sharing had more long‐term effects on the partner's personal well‐being. The findings highlight the importance of work‐related sharing in dual‐earner couples. Practical implications are discussed.
... Whether or not communication leads to satisfaction, however, is not entirely clear. Lavner et al. (2016) find that satisfaction was a slightly better predictor of couples' communication rather than the other way around. In other words, a correlation exists, but causation is not so clear. ...
This paper investigates how the sharp increase in time spent at home due to COVID-19-related restrictions shaped parents’ relationship satisfaction with their partners. Drawing on 78 in-depth interviews with heterosexual partnered parents with at least one child aged 18 or under, we find that this experience of what we call “enforced togetherness” had varied effects on couples’ relationships. More than half of the respondents (fifty-five percent) reported improved relationship satisfaction, while fifteen percent reported a decline, and the remaining thirty percent no change. Individuals with higher satisfaction took advantage of enforced togetherness and sought out more frequent and intense communication and leisure activities, underscoring the importance of spending time in strengthening relationships. On the other hand, those who were unable or unwilling to engage in these activities, due to lack of support for increased care needs and their continued uneven distribution across the couple, saw their relationships deteriorate. Finally, individuals experienced stability in their relationships when their prior routines and arrangements remained largely undisrupted by the pandemic. Our findings shed light on the significance of time as a valuable resource for couples’ relationships, while at the same time emphasizing the role of their agency in its utilization.
... 6,7 According to the circumplex model, family functioning is based on cohesion among family members, flexibility in leadership role and rules and regulation in the family and communication that facilitate effective problem solving and emotional bonding. 8 Effective communication allows the couple to have a better quality of marriage. 9 Emotion regulation, a social construct is referred to a variety of strategies an individual use to express their emotion which can be adaptive and maladaptive. ...
Objective: To investigate the mediating role of emotion regulation in family communication and marital satisfaction in married men and women. Methodology: The study sample comprised 174 married men and women with the age range of 21-50 years (Mean 33.69 5.38). In this cross-sectional research design, purposive sampling technique was used to recruit the sample and given Family Communication Scale, The Couples Satisfaction Index and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Results: There was a significant positive relationship among family communication, cognitive reappraisal and marital satisfaction, Emotion regulation mediated between family communication and the level of satisfaction in marriage. Conclusion: Healthy and positive interaction within the family and use of cognitive reappraisal in emotion regulation facilitate marital relationship in married couples. These finding can be further helpful in marital and family counselling.
... Moreover, individual factors such as selfishness and negative attitudes about marriage are serious issues in modern marriages (Fincham & Beach, 2010). Given the various challenges that couples face in marriage, it is crucial to study the factors that contribute to marital satisfaction, as it has a positive impact on enhancing happiness and health among couples (Abreu-Afonso et al., 2021;Lavner et al., 2016;Shafer et al., 2014). By understanding the factors that determine marital satisfaction, it is possible to cultivate healthy marital relationships. ...
Studies have identified various factors that determine marital satisfaction. However, there is still a scarcity of studies that focus on the factors influencing marital satisfaction. Most previous studies have focused on deficit factors rather than strengthening factors, indicating a knowledge gap regarding factors that positively contribute to marital satisfaction. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing marital satisfaction from the perspective of married individuals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used as data collection techniques. The data was collected from 15 participants. The study uncovered key factors that contribute to marital satisfaction. The findings include views about marriage, readiness for marriage, caring behavior, integrity, patience, and religiousness. Marriage practitioners, policymakers, and social workers could benefit from this study. The limitations and future directions were also discussed.
... needs, feelings, and wants. When both partners feel supported and understood by the other, it can lead to a deeper bond and greater satisfaction in the relationship 65,66 . The gender differences in FOD (Factor 2) are consistent with those reported by Stafford et al. 46 who showed a weak link between gender and sharing tasks behaviors that may be perceived as the responsibilities of the couple. ...
In this research, we developed and validated a measure of couple-based reported behavior interactions (RBI). Specifically, Study 1 was designed to describe the development of the scale and to examine its reliability; Study 2 (N = 222), was designed to examine factors that could differentiate men and women. Additionally, we tested if women's behaviors could predict their partner's behavior. Results from the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a three-factor structure for couples' RBI which were labelled: Social Companionship and Affective Behavior Interactions (SAI) (Factor 1), Fulfilling Obligations and Duties of the Partner (FOD) (Factor 2) and Openness in the Relationship (OR) (Factor 3). In linear regression analyses, there was a significant difference between men and women in the second factor, which represents behaviors associated with fulfilling the responsibilities of a partner. On the other hand, neither the SAI factor nor the OR factor showed any distinct gender differences. The SPSS PROCESS analysis revealed that women's Social Companionship and Affective Behavior Interactions (Factor 1), and Openness in the Relationship (Factor 3) significantly predicted their male partner's behaviors. The relationship duration significantly moderated the association between women's and men's behaviors for both factors. Results are discussed in light of the need for a broader understanding of romantic behavioral interactions.
... Furthermore, marital satisfaction emerges as one of the most influential predictors of co-parenting (Christopher et al., 2015;Pedro et al., 2012). Specifically, when parents experience more satisfaction in their marriage, they are able to make their communication more positive and effective while exhibiting more consistent parenting strategies, which may promote mutual support and cooperation on parenting topics (Lavner et al., 2016;Zemp et al., 2017). Couples with high marital satisfaction show higher levels of acceptance, respect, and positive emotional expression in family interactions (Froyen et al., 2013;Lindahl & Malik, 2011), which in turn may enhance positive co-parenting. ...
Numerous studies have shown that co-parenting plays an important role in marital and parent-child interactions. However, little is known about the bidirectional associations between positive co-parenting and marital and parent-child factors, as well as the dynamic underlying mechanisms. This study used cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) to explore the bidirectional longitudinal relationship between positive co-parenting, marital satisfaction, and parental involvement among Chinese parents from a positive family multiple systems perspective. A sample of 668 father-mother dyads (father’s Mage = 36.47, SDage = 5.34; mother’s Mage = 35.45, SDage = 5.07) completed a series of questionnaires at three time points (approximately spaced 1 year between each time point). The results showed that positive co-parenting positively predicted marital satisfaction and parental involvement and that marital satisfaction positively influenced parents’ positive co-parenting, whereas the effect of parental involvement on positive co-parenting was significant among fathers. Additionally, fathers’ marital satisfaction can affect their involvement, but this effect is negligible among mothers. Finally, parental marital satisfaction mediated the relationship between positive co-parenting and the next stage of positive co-parenting. This study provided new ideas and interventions to strengthen family cohesion and harmony.
This study was conducted to predict the quality of marital relationships based on communication beliefs, attachment styles, and initial maladaptive schemas in married women. The statistical population of this study included all married women who sought counseling at family counseling centers and health clinics in our studied area. Using Green's formula ( 1991 ), a sample of 250 individuals was selected through convenience sampling. To collect data, questionnaires on marital quality by Busby, attachment styles by Hazan and Shaver, communication beliefs by Eidelson and Epstein, and initial maladaptive schemas by Young were used. Pearson correlation and simultaneous regression analysis were employed for data analysis. The results indicated that the quality of marital relationships can be predicted based on communication beliefs, attachment styles, and initial maladaptive schemas. Specifically, there was an indirect relationship between early maladaptive schemas, avoidant attachment style, anxious attachment style, and marital quality. Additionally, a direct relationship was observed between secure attachment style and marital quality. Improving marital relationship quality requires attention to attachment styles, communication beliefs, and maladaptive schemas, and family practitioners should pay special attention to these factors.
Background
Considering the patriarchal dominance, power dynamics, and relational issues in the Rohingya society, this study used dyadic power theory and social penetration theory to examine how husbands’ dominance in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and couples’ disclosure influence their couple communication about SRH. It also explored the mediated effect of couple communication on their SRH-related outcomes.
Methods
This quantitative study was designed with a cross-sectional survey (N = 408) at the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh. Different bivariate analyses, hierarchical regression, and mediation analysis were performed.
Results
Findings show that having a job, having less children, couple’s regular access to the health center, better SRH-related perceptions and beliefs, having husband’s approval of family planning (FP), and broad couple relationship breadth appeared to be significant factors (p < .001) of couple communication regarding SRH. Additionally, couple communication significantly (p < .001) mediated the influence of the husband's approval of FP and couples’ broad relational breadth on women's contraceptive use, SRH behavior, and husbands’ support in SRH.
Conclusions
The study findings highlight that couple communication can potentially involve men in women’s SRH and improve refugee women’s SRH status, as husbands are the key decision-makers in the Rohingya society.
Pandemi Covid-19 telah menimbulkan ketidakpastian (Fahrudin, 2020)
dan ketidakpastian itu telah mempengaruhi seluruh dunia serta
mempengaruhi berbagai institusi sosial termasuk keluarga. Oleh karena
keluarga banyak yang terkena dampak dari pandemic ini maka
International Academia Roundtable Forum menginisiasi terwujudnya
buku ini. Buku ini diawali Bab yang ditulis oleh Dr Nurhudaya yang
mengulas soal cinta pasangan suami isteri. Menurutnya, pada masa-masa
sulit baik secara ekonomi maupun sosial, seperti masa pandemi Covid-19
ini, suami harus tetap menjaga komitmennya untuk memberikan rasa
aman bagi istrinya, tetap menjaga „kebanggaan‟ istri dan keluarganya,
menjadi pemimpin dalam menghadapi kehidupan yang sulit bersamasama.
Istri tetap menjaga kehormatan suami (secara psikologis dan sosial)
dan dirinya dengan menjadi sumber motivasi dan semangat bagi suami
untuk memimpin rumah tangga
i
PREFACE
The field of clinical psychology continues its scientific efforts with
determination to understand the most complex and, at times, the darkest aspects
of human nature. Issues such as psychopathy, antisocial personality traits, and
homicidal impulses—which have significant effects on both individual and
societal levels—are becoming increasingly visible in contemporary societies.
In this context, they hold critical importance for both clinical practice and
scientific research. Similarly, psychosocial challenges brought about by modern
life, such as narcissism and psychological harassment (mobbing), are among
the fundamental issues that must be addressed to preserve mental health and
develop effective clinical interventions.
This book is a comprehensive compilation that aims to offer a
multidimensional perspective on the current issues in clinical psychology. The
studies cover a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from the role of metacognitions
in couple relationships, to personality traits known as the dark tetrad, and to
innovative uses of artificial intelligence technologies in clinical psychology
practices, as well as the assessment of personality disorders. The chapters
presented here are drawn from various research areas and are intended not only
to provide theoretical knowledge but also to offer concrete contributions to
clinical practice.
I hope that “Research in Clinical Psychology 1” will serve as a valuable
reference for professionals working in the field of clinical psychology, academics,
and all readers with an interest in psychology. It is my sincere wish that this
work will contribute meaningfully to the literature and offer an enlightening
reading experience to its audience.
Background and Aim: Couples are required to learn new methods for communicating with each other and alter the basic assumptions connecting them with their spouse. When couples fail to accomplish this matter, mutual intimacy and commitment fall apart, and marital burnout is created. During this period, it is needed to repair the basis for the intimacy of couples. It is needed to analyze intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics to restore intimacy. Accordingly, this study was aimed at determining the efficiency of solution-based couple therapy on marital conflicts and marital burnout of couples. Methods: This study was quasi-experimental with the experimental and control groups and pre-test, post-test design, and one-month follow-up. The statistical population contained couples who went to the Goroohe Hamrah Counseling Center of Tehran district 2 in April and May 2017 due to having conflicts and communication problems. After screening the couples with marital conflict and marital burnout scale and primary examination (interview), 20 couples were selected as study samples. And they were randomly assigned to two groups; 10 couples (wife and husband) in the experimental group and 10 couples (wife and husband) in the control group. The couples of the experimental group received the solution-based couple therapy intervention of McDonald (2007) for eight sessions of 90 minutes, and couples of the control group were placed on the waiting list. In the three stages of pre-test, post-test, and follow-up, both groups completed the marital conflict and marital burnout scale. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measurement analysis methods. Results: The results indicated that solution-based couple therapy has significantly reduced the level of marital conflict (F = 10.68, P = 0.002) and marital burnout (F = 13.58, P = 0.001), and the results were stable at the follow-up stage. Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that solution-based couple therapy reduces marital conflict and marital burnout among couples.
Background and Aim: Solution-focused therapy is a branch of the postmodern approach in the field of family and couple therapy and focuses on finding solutions to problems. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of solution-focused couple therapy on marital satisfaction and adjustment of couples. Methods: The present study was quasi-experimental with experimental and control groups and pretest-posttest and one-month follow-up, and its statistical population consisted of couples who visited Mehravar Counseling Center of Tehran in 2016. After screening with marital satisfaction Scale (Fowers and Olson, 1993) and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) (Spanier, 1976), we selected 20 non-adjustment couples using the purposive method, and randomly replaced 10 couples in the experimental group and 10 couples in the control group. The experimental group received eight sessions of solution-based couple therapy interventions in a group, and the control group was placed on a waiting list. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Results: The results indicated that the solution-focused couple therapy significantly increased marital satisfaction (F= 10.68, P= 0.002) and marital adjustment (F= 13.58, P= 0.001) and the results were stable in the follow-up phase (P=0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings, solution-focused couple therapy could be a suitable treatment to increase marital satisfaction and adjustment in couples.
Objective
This qualitative study set out to explore the phenomenological experiences of eight African American married couples during COVID‐19 and identified strengths that were used to manage marital challenges.
Background
African American marital relationships have been historically stereotyped as dysfunctional. Past literature has taken a deficit perspective toward these relationships. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, African Americans experienced hardships at disproportionate rates, and marital strengths and resiliency were also tested.
Methods
Through snowball sampling, eight African American couples were recruited to participate in this study. Couples were interviewed on Zoom using unstructured interview questions.
Results
Using descriptive phenomenological analysis, four essential themes were identified among the couples. These themes were the following: Intentional time brought us closer together, positive communication solves problems, a shared vision keeps us focused on our goals, and faith is our strength.
Conclusion
The research findings gained from this study can provide insight to marriage and family professionals working with this population by increasing their insight and awareness about the marital strengths and resiliency utilized by African Americans during the pandemic.
Gender awareness is considered a significant contributor in determining and impacting marital satisfaction amongst couples and making a strong family. This study explores the role of gender awareness in achieving marital satisfaction among young women professionals residing in Surabaya, Indonesia. The study deployed a qualitative research design, and 56 in‐depth interviews were carried out with women professionals who had been married for less than 5 years. The results show that gender awareness among young professional families varies based on decision‐making. The young women were aware of marital satisfaction about gender roles. There are two groups of women supporting distinctly different ideologies. The first group supports patriarchy, whereas the second group opposes the prevalence of a patriarchal culture. It further seeks to offer novelty in studying gender and marital satisfaction among professional families in Javanese society.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan gambaran peran mindfulness sebagai moderator dalam hubungan antara komunikasi interpersonal dan kepuasan pernikahan pada suami istri dengan usia pernikahan di atas lima tahun. Partisipan penelitian ini berjumlah 188 suami atau istri dengan kriteria usia pernikahan di atas lima tahun, tinggal serumah bersama pasangan, dan tinggal di kota Bogor. Partisipan dipilih dengan menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Setiap partisipan melengkapi kuesioner yang berisi skala-skala berikut: Enrich Marital Satisfaction Scale (EMS), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionaire (FFMQ), dan Interpersonal Communication (IC). Data dianalisa menggunakan teknik analisis Hayess PROCESS Model 1. Hasilnya ialah mindfulness secara signifikan berperan sebagai moderator pada hubungan komunikasi interpersonal dan kepuasan pernikahan, meskipun efek yang diberikan adalah melemahkan hubungan antara komunikasi interpersonal dan kepuasan pernikahan.
Most people believe that marriage is the most individualized event that one experiences in their lifetime, holding special importance as it seems to fulfill the needs of two individuals. As a marital and family union, marriage provides an opportunity for social support. On the other hand, marital satisfaction and compatibility are crucial for the continuation of couples’ lives and play a significant role in individuals’ overall life satisfaction. Additionally, having a feminist perspective can influence attitudes towards shared life and marriage. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between marital satisfaction, compatibility, and feminist perspectives among married women in Hamedan. The research method was descriptive, focusing on correlation. The study population consisted of married women living in Hamedan, from various ethnic backgrounds including Kurdish, Persian, Turkish, and Lur, in the year 2013. A sample of 100 women was selected using convenience sampling. The instruments used included the Marital Compatibility Scale, the Feminist Perspective Scale, and the Enrich Marital Satisfaction Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between marital compatibility and satisfaction. Additionally, results showed a negative and significant association between marital satisfaction and compatibility with feminist perspectives. This suggests that attention to these constructs can play a vital role in the lives of married couples.
Although romantic relationships are normally characterized by physical proximity, they are often carried out in geographic separation due to factors such as educational and career pursuits. Nowadays a growing population of couples have experienced a status called long-distance relationship or at least in one period of their lives they have had to deal with it. However, there is a research gap in discovering the nature of these experiences and this group is neglected in the research literature on romantic relationships. Therefore, the present study was conducted to discover the spouses' lived experience of the long-distance relationship. The study was qualitative with an interpretive phenomenological approach (IPA). 15 participants were selected by purposeful sampling and subjected to in-depth semi-structured interviews. Smith and Osborn's interpretive phenomenological method was used to analyze and review the interviews. The results of coding the interviews were categorized into three main themes: the first theme was to decide to live with distance, indicating how spouses entered into these relationships. The second theme, the long and cyclic experience of the spouses in the context of their surrounding social network, shows how this experience represents the history of distance within the present experience and the presence of others in the relationship. The third theme, staying in a long-distance relationship, describes why spouses experience this type of relationship in this way. The essence of the research was the constant adaptation to distance with the constant presence of missing loved ones. The results of the research showed that being away from the spouse creates special dynamics between them, which requires constant adaptation and at the same time, it can bring positive experiences. The findings are helpful in better understanding the dimensions of these relationships and not only can open the way for future research in this field but can also be very helpful in designing and implementing couple therapy interventions for spouses who are far apart, to increase the level of satisfaction.
Recognizing strengths in romantic partners is associated with relationship quality. However, is mere recognition sufficient, or does genuine appreciation play a more pivotal role? We address this question in a mixed-methods study comprising 90 heterosexual couples, randomly allocated into one of three groups: (1) intervention: six weekly 20-minute sessions of mutual appreciation of partners’ strengths used during the week; (2) placebo control: six weekly sessions focused on mutual sharing of paired interactions, and (3) no-treatment control. Participants completed questionnaires measuring marital satisfaction and burnout before, immediately following, and a month following the 6-week intervention. Additionally, before and after the intervention, participants rated two perceptions of partner strengths: (1) the benefits (the utility and effectiveness associated with their use) and (2) the costs (potential drawbacks of their use). The main analyses showed no significant effect of the intervention. However, a non-significant trend was observed among women, but not men, in the intervention group between the initial and post-intervention evaluations of benefits. Qualitative analysis revealed that compared with men, women were significantly more attributed with strengths of social intelligence and love and were nearly twice as likely as men to express appreciation for their partners’ strengths-based behaviors directed toward them. Whether due to women being more attuned to these actions or men being more inclined to demonstrate strengths to their wives, women reported accruing greater benefits from their partners’ strengths than men. Overall, this study emphasizes the contribution of behavioral-based appreciation for the partner’s strengths in enhancing relationship quality, particularly for women.
Purpose: Problems in marital relationships due to age gap between a couple may lead to depression and other mental health issues. However, there is a lack of studies that investigated the association between age gap in couples and mental health. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the relationship between spouse age differences and mental health.Methodology: The data of 7,454 couples from the 2008 and 2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were used. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed.Findings: Women who were ≥10 years older or younger than their husbands displayed poor mental health. Odds ratios (ORs) for women who were ≥10 years younger were 1.72, 1.77, 2.24, and 1.69 for stress perception, depression experiences, depression diagnosis, and suicidal ideation, respectively. Furthermore, in women who were older than their husbands, the ORs for cognition of stress and suicidal ideation were 1.32 and 1.41, respectively.Conclusion: These findings support the development of mental health programs and couples’ education via national promotions and projects. Managing women's mental health in couples with large age gap groups could contribute to family stability and reduce divorce rates.
Background: Metacognitive therapy targets self-differentiation and relational beliefs by helping couples identify unhelpful thinking patterns that fuel conflict. By addressing these underlying cognitive processes, metacognitive therapy aims to improve both individual well-being and relational dynamics. Objectives: This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy in couples with marital conflicts attending the family court in Karaj city. Methods: The present study employed a semi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest and control group. The statistical population of this study comprised all couples applying for divorce who had sought divorce or marital dispute resolution at the family court in Karaj in the year 2023. A sample of 32 individuals (16 individuals per group) was selected through voluntary sampling, considering the study entry criteria, and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Participants completed questionnaires on their relational beliefs and self-differentiation in the pretest and posttest stages. The experimental group underwent 16 sessions of 90-minute metacognitive therapy, while the control group received no intervention. Data analysis was conducted using analysis of covariance. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-27 software. Results: Metacognitive therapy significantly improved relational beliefs compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The experimental group's mean score increased from 85.19 (± 9.89) at pretest to 135.88 (± 11.91) at posttest, while the control group showed minimal change (pretest: 89.31 ± 7.99; posttest: 95.75 ± 16.94). Similar improvements were observed in self-differentiation scores (P < 0.001). The experimental group's mean score increased from 120.81 (± 8.88) at pretest to 173.50 (± 14.45) at posttest, compared to minimal change in the control group (pretest: 126.31 ± 7.40; posttest: 125.75 ± 11.06). Conclusions: The present study yielded significant findings that support the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy in improving relational and marital functioning. These results are promising, suggesting that metacognitive therapy may be a valuable intervention for couples experiencing marital conflict.
Aim: There are many problems in couples who experience infidelity, and one of the effective methods in this area is schema therapy. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of schema therapy on boredom and marital satisfaction in people who cheat in marriage. Methods: The current research was semi-experimental. The statistical population of the current research included clients who had experience cheating and had visited Sahel Counseling Center in Tehran during the winter and spring of 2022. The sample of 40 people were selected by purposful sampling method and randomly divided into two groups (20 people in each group) including experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent schema therapy intervention and the control group did not receive any interventions. The measurement tools included the Enrich Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Pines Marital Discomfort Questionnaire. Multivariate analysis of covariance test was used for analysis. Findings: The results showed that schema therapy is significantly effective in modulating all three components of marital dissatisfaction as well as improving all components of marital satisfaction except financial management and relationships with children (p<0.01). Conclusion: In general, the results of this research showed that schema therapy is useful in changing aspects of loneliness and marital satisfaction and can be used to reduce family and psychological problems of people who cheated.
This study examined the concordance in spouses’ intention to move after retirement among midlife couples and its association with couples’ marital characteristics (i.e., marital satisfaction and dyadic coping). Using a sample of 1,285 middle-aged couples in Korea (aged 49–64), we conducted logistic/multinomial regression controlling for individual and household characteristics. The majority of couples (83%) were concordant in their moving desires—by either agreeing to move (29%) or to stay (54%), whereas 17% of couples were not in agreement—either only husband (9%) or wife (8%) desires to move. Couples who made daily decisions together and where wives perceived higher marital satisfaction were more likely to have concordant moving desires. Couples where spouses shared each other’s stress and discussed life after retirement were more likely to agree to move than to stay. Our findings suggest the importance of marital dynamics in understanding midlife couples’ residential mobility after retirement.
La soddisfazione nelle relazioni rappresenta un fattore protettivo che aiuta ad affrontare le sfide evolutive. Il focus dello studio è la modulazione della soddisfazione nelle coppie attraverso il confronto fra un campione do-ve è presente un livello di soddisfazione mediamente positivo (valori supe-riori alla media) con uno dove questo si mostra prevalentemente basso (va-lori inferiori alla media). A tal fine abbiamo confrontato i dati ottenuti dalla somministrazione del questionario on-line Prepare-Enrich a coppie con problematiche di relazione e con un contratto relazionale definito (CP) con quelli di coppie in preparazione al matrimonio (CPM). Il campione totale è costituito da 29 coppie (14 CPM e 15 CP), per un totale di 58 soggetti. Le dimensioni di maggiore soddisfazione nelle coppie in preparazione al matrimonio sono state: la capacità di affrontare le differenze, il vissuto di non dominanza dal partner, l'impegno, la coesione, la reciprocità dei ruoli, la comunicazione, la soddisfazione sessuale e la relazione con gli amici e le famiglie.
Aim: The aim of this study was to develop a causal model of marital conflict based on attachment styles with the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas in women on the verge of divorce. Research Method: This research is a multivariate correlation study in terms of applied purpose and descriptive data collection. However, in order to finally present the results in a model, structural equations have been used. The statistical population of this study includes all women with marital conflicts on the verge of divorce in Tehran who in 1391 referred to family counseling centers in the third district of Tehran. The sampling method used in this study is available (targeted) cluster sampling, which is randomly selected from different urban areas of an area, then selected from counseling centers in that area. Data: Marital Conflict Questionnaire, Barati and Sanaei, Hazen and Shaver Attachment Styles Questionnaire and Young Young Early Incompatible Schemas were used. Results: The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between early maladaptive schemas in the field of cut and exclusion, self-regulation and impaired function, impaired constraints, excessive ringing and inhibition with marital conflicts; The results also showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between avoidant / ambivalent insecure attachment styles and early maladaptive schemas in the field of cut and rejection, impaired autonomy and function, impaired constraints, excessive ringing and inhibition; But there is a negative relationship between secure attachment style and early maladaptive schemas. Conclusion: The results show that the design of a suitable structural model for predicting marital conflicts based on attachment styles and the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas in women on the verge of divorce is consistent with the theoretical model and has a good fit.
Aim: This research was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of the schema therapy approach with the therapy based on acceptance and commitment on the emotional intelligence of married women and men with extramarital relationships. Methods: The current research was an applied research and in terms of the research method, it was non-descriptive and quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The current research population included married men and women with extramarital relationship who referred to four counseling and psychological clinics in Tehran in 12 months of 2019 and 9 months of 2014 due to marital disputes with their spouses and the disclosure of their extramarital relationship. Among the couples, 45 couples were randomly selected (23 women and 22 men who committed extramarital relations). The criteria for inclusion in the research included: being married, not pregnant, at least 25 and at most 60 years old, having minimal literacy, not having an acute psychological illness or problem, and registering written informed consent to participate in therapy sessions. In this research, the subjects were placed in three groups of Young’s (2003) schema therapy test, acceptance and commitment based test, and control test, and before and after the intervention, they completed Bar-On's (2000) emotional intelligence questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measure variance. Results: The results showed that the intervention of the experimental schema therapy group (F=6.66, P=0.020) and the group based on acceptance and commitment (F=6.10, P=0.024) on emotional intelligence in the post stage The test is effective and this effect was stable in the follow-up phase; Also, based on the results of Tukey's post hoc test, there is no significant difference between the two groups of schema therapy approach and acceptance and commitment on emotional intelligence in terms of effectiveness. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the approach of schema therapy and therapy based on acceptance and commitment is an effective approach to increase the emotional intelligence of married women and men with extramarital relationships.
Twenty-nine married couples engaged in 2 videotaped discussions: 1 in which the husband requested a change in the wife and 1 in which the wife requested a change in the husband. Conflict behavior was assessed by self-report and observer ratings. Neither conflict structure (who requested the change) nor gender was associated with the positivity or negativity of spouses' behavior. During discussions of husbands' issues, wives and husbands did not differ in demand/withdraw behavior, whereas when discussing wives' issues, wives were more demanding and husbands were more withdrawing. Husband-demand/wife-withdraw interaction predicted an increase in wives' satisfaction 1 year later, whereas wife-demand/husband-withdraw interaction predicted a decline in wives' satisfaction 1 year later. These results replicate and extend those of our earlier study (Christensen & Heavey, 1990).
Although much has been learned from cross-sectional research on marriage, an understanding of how marriages develop, succeed, and fail is best achieved with longitudinal data. In view of growing interest in longitudinal research on marriage, the authors reviewed and evaluated the literature on how the quality and stability of marriages change over time. First, prevailing theoretical perspectives are examined for their ability to explain change in marital quality and stability. Second, the methods and findings of 115 longitudinal studies—representing over 45,000 marriages—are summarized and evaluated, yielding specific suggestions for improving this research. Finally, a model is outlined that integrates the strengths of previous theories of marriage, accounts for established findings, and indicates new directions for research on how marriages change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Objective:
Evidence in support of skill-based programs for preventing marital discord and dissolution, while promising, comes mainly from studies using single treatment conditions, passive assessment-only control conditions, and short-term follow-up assessments of relationship outcomes. This study overcomes these limitations and further evaluates the efficacy of skill-based programs.
Method:
Engaged and newlywed couples (N = 174) were randomly assigned to a 4-session, 15-hr small-group intervention designed to teach them skills in managing conflict and problem resolution (PREP) or skills in acceptance, support, and empathy (CARE). These couples were compared to each other, to couples receiving a 1-session relationship awareness (RA) intervention with no skill training, and to couples receiving no treatment on 3-year rates of dissolution and 3-year trajectories of self-reported relationship functioning.
Results:
Couples in the no-treatment condition dissolved their relationships at a higher rate (24%) than couples completing PREP, CARE, and RA, who did not differ on rates of dissolution (11%). PREP and CARE yielded unintended effects on 3-year changes in reported relationship behaviors. For example, wives receiving PREP showed slower declines in hostile conflict than wives receiving CARE, and husbands and wives receiving CARE showed faster declines in positive behaviors than husbands and wives receiving PREP.
Conclusions:
These findings highlight the potential value of cost-effective interventions such as RA, cast doubt on the unique benefits of skill-based interventions for primary prevention of relationship dysfunction, and raise the possibility that skill-based interventions may inadvertently sensitize couples to skill deficits in their relationships.
Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a data-analytic technique that allows researchers to test complex theoretical models. Most published applications of SEM involve analyses of cross-sectional recursive (i.e., unidirectional) models, but it is possible for researchers to test more complex designs that involve variables observed at multiple points in time or variables implicated in reciprocal feedback loops (i.e., bidirectional models). Given SEM’s popularity among counseling psychology researchers, this article aims to introduce three SEM designs not often seen in the counseling psychology literature: cross-lagged panel analyses, latent growth curve modeling, and nonrecursive mediated model analysis. For each design, the authors provide a brief rationale regarding its purpose, procedures for specifying a model to test the design, and a worked illustration.
Predictors of increases in marital distress over the 1st 3 yrs of marriage were identified for husbands and wives of 310 couples. Using Year 1 variables as predictors, linear increases in marital distress over 3 yrs for husbands were predicted by few years of education, few months of living together, and not pooling finances. For wives, the Year 1 predictors were few years of education, low income, living with stepchildren on a full- or part-time basis, many rewards, few costs, not pooling finances, and high emotional investment. Linear increases in marital distress were related to linear changes in both contextual and investment model variables for both spouses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
If therapists know why couples seek marital therapy, they can more effectively tailor their therapies to improve treatment outcome. Unfortunately, there have been no systematic studies to date on couples' reasons for seeking therapy. In a survey of 147 married couples seeking marital therapy, the most commonly reported reasons were problematic communication and lack of emotional affection. Within individual couples, spouses showed little agreement on their reasons for therapy, suggesting that careful and individual assessments should be made of each spouse. There was only partial overlap of couples' reasons for seeking therapy, questionnaires of relationship problems, and previous studies of therapists' reports of couples' problems, indicating that traditional methods of assessment may not fully capture why couples are seeking therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Examines research on the relation between attitude and behavior in light of the correspondence between attitudinal and behavioral entities. Such entities are defined by their target, action, context, and time elements. A review of available empirical research supports the contention that strong attitude–behavior relations are obtained only under high correspondence between at least the target and action elements of the attitudinal and behavioral entities. This conclusion is compared with the rather pessimistic assessment of the utility of the attitude concept found in much contemporary social psychological literature. (4½ p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
In the current study, we examined longitudinal changes in, and bidirectional effects between, parenting practices and child behavior problems in the context of a psychosocial treatment and 3-year follow-up period. The sample comprised 139 parent-child dyads (child ages 6-11) who participated in a modular treatment protocol for early-onset ODD or CD. Parenting practices and child behavior problems were assessed at six time-points using multiple measures and multiple reporters. The data were analyzed using cross-lagged panel analyses. Results indicated robust temporal stabilities of parenting practices and child behavior problems, in the context of treatment-related improvements, but bidirectional effects between parenting practices and child behavior were less frequently detected. Our findings suggest that bidirectional effects are relatively smaller than the temporal stability of each construct for school-age children with ODD/CD and their parents, following a multi-modal clinical intervention that is directed at both parents and children. Implications for treatment and intervention are discussed.
Past studies have correlated observer ratings with questionnaire self- and partner-reports of behaviors in close relationships. However, few studies have actually proposed and tested longitudinal models that link observer ratings to past behaviors and to questionnaire self- and partner-reports of behaviors during an observational task. Using data from a panel of 324 young couples, we demonstrate that (a) observer ratings of hostility and support are significantly related to couple reports of the same behavior in the relationship two years earlier, and (b) respondent and partner questionnaire reports of hostility and support during the observational task converge with observer ratings of the same behavior even after controlling for earlier self- and partner-reports. These findings demonstrate that observer reports based on brief discussion tasks reflect the tenor of the relationship over a relatively long period of time. They also demonstrate that couple reports of interactions reflect observable behaviors beyond that attributed to earlier self- and partner-reports. Consistent with previous research, effect sizes are larger for hostility than support but there are few differences between men and women.
Observational coding systems are uniquely suited for investigating interactional processes in couples and families, but their validity in diverse populations is unknown. We addressed this issue by applying factor analysis to interactional data collected from couples in low-income neighborhoods and coded with the widely used Iowa Family Interaction Rating Scales (IFIRS). Our sample of 414 low-income, ethnically diverse newlywed couples each provided 24-min samples of problem-solving and social support behavior. Interrater reliabilities were strong, and the resultant factors--reflecting positive, negative, and effective communication--were very similar to those obtained with White middle-class samples. Additionally, couples were more negative, less positive, and less effective in problem-solving conversations than in socially supportive conversations, further supporting the validity of the IFIRS in this population. We conclude by discussing the strengths and shortcomings of the IFIRS when used in a low-income, ethnically diverse population.
This meta-analysis of 64 studies (5,071 couples) used a metacoding system to categorize observed couple conflict behaviors into categories differing in terms of valence (positive to negative) and intensity (high to low) and resulting in five behavioral categories: hostility, distress, withdrawal, problem solving, and intimacy. Aggregate effect sizes indicated that women were somewhat more likely to display hostility, distress, and intimacy during conflict, whereas men were somewhat more likely to display withdrawal and problem solving. Gender differences were of a small magnitude. For both men and women, hostility was robustly associated with lower relationship satisfaction (medium effect), distress and withdrawal were somewhat associated (small effect), and intimacy and problem solving were both closely associated with relationship satisfaction (medium effect). Effect sizes were moderated in several cases by study characteristics including year of publication, developmental period of the sample, recruitment design, duration of observed conflict, method used to induce conflict, and type of coding system used. Findings from this meta-analysis suggest that high-intensity conflict behaviors of both a positive and negative nature are important correlates of relationship satisfaction and underscore the relatively small gender differences in many conflict behaviors.
Using data from 210 couples who provided data across the first 5 years of marriage, we examined how premarital communication quality was related to divorce and later distress. The results showed that premarital observed negative and positive communication nearly reached significance as predictors of divorce, while self-reported negative communication was significantly associated with divorce. In terms of marital adjustment, we found that both premarital observed and self-reported negative premarital communication (but not observed positive communication) were associated with lower adjustment during the first 5 years of marriage. The most important questions addressed in this study pertain to how positive and negative dimensions of communication change over time and how these changes are related to being distressed or nondistressed after 5 years of marriage. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to examine the changes in communication over time that are so central to theories of the development of marital distress and for research-based interventions. We found that all couples showed decreases in negative communication over time, but the nondistressed group declined significantly more than the distressed group in negative communication, suggesting they are handling negative emotions better. Implications for future research on the development of relationship distress and for enhancing research-based couples' intervention programs are provided.
Past research on the link between personal characteristics and marital satisfaction has taken either an individual or a dyadic approach. The individual approach examines how self and/or partner characteristics are associated with satisfaction, whereas the dyadic approach focuses on couple characteristics such as couple similarity. The current research was designed to integrate both approaches. A modified Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (Kashy & Kenny, 2000) was proposed to test simultaneously the contributions of self characteristics, partner characteristics, and two types of couple similarity (level similarity measured by the absolute difference score and shape similarity measured by the profile correlation) in predicting husbands' and wives' marital satisfaction. This model was tested by structural equation modeling in two large, nationally representative, urban samples (N=536 and 537 couples) from China. The results were largely replicated across four personality domains and two value domains, suggesting that all predictors tended to make independent contributions to satisfaction except the absolute difference score.
This study examined the effects of gender and social structure on the demand/withdraw pattern of marital conflict. In this pattern, the demander, usually the woman, pressures the other through emotional requests, criticism, and complaints, and the withdrawer, usually the man, retreats through defensiveness and passive inaction. In this study, 31 couples were assessed in 2 conflict situations: 1 in which husband wanted a change in wife and 1 in which wife wanted a change in husband. Data from husbands, wives, and observers consistently revealed a significant main effect of gender (wife-demand/husband-withdraw interaction was more likely than husband-demand/wife-withdraw interaction) and a significant interaction of gender and conflict structure (wife-demand/husband-withdraw interaction was more likely than the reverse only when discussing a change the wife wanted). Separate analyses of demand and withdraw behaviors indicated that both husband and wife were more likely to be demanding when discussing a change they wanted and more likely to be withdrawing when discussing a change their partner wanted. However, men were overall more withdrawn than women, but women were not overall more demanding than men.
The prevailing behavioral account of marriage must be expanded to include covert processes. This article therefore examines the attributions or explanations that spouses make for marital events. A review indicates that dissatisfied spouses, compared with satisfied spouses, make attributions for the partner's behavior that cast it in a negative light. Experimental, clinical outcome, and longitudinal data suggest further that attributions may influence marital satisfaction. Rival hypotheses for these findings are examined. Because continued empirical development in this domain depends on conceptual progress, a framework is presented that integrates attributions, behavior, and marital satisfaction. This framework points to several topics that require systematic study, and specific hypotheses are offered for research on these topics. It is concluded that the promising start made toward understanding marital attributions holds considerable potential for enriching behavioral conceptions of marriage.
Twenty-nine married couples engaged in 2 videotaped discussions: 1 in which the husband requested a change in the wife and 1 in which the wife requested a change in the husband. Conflict behavior was assessed by self-report and observer ratings. Neither conflict structure (who requested the change) nor gender was associated with the positivity or negativity of spouses' behavior. During discussions of husbands' issues, wives and husbands did not differ in demand/withdraw behavior, whereas when discussing wives' issues, wives were more demanding and husbands were more withdrawing. Husband-demand/wife-withdraw interaction predicted an increase in wives' satisfaction 1 year later, whereas wife-demand/husband-withdraw interaction predicted a decline in wives' satisfaction 1 year later. These results replicate and extend those of our earlier study (Christensen & Heavey, 1990).
Theories of how initially satisfied marriages deteriorate or remain stable over time have been limited by a failure to distinguish between key facets of change. The present study defines the trajectory of marital satisfaction in terms of 2 separate parameters--(a) the initial level of satisfaction and (b) the rate of change in satisfaction over time--and seeks to estimate unique effects on each of these parameters with variables derived from intrapersonal and interpersonal models of marriage. Sixty newlywed couples completed measures of neuroticism, were observed during a marital interaction and provided reports of marital satisfaction every 6 months for 4 years. Neuroticism was associated with initial levels of marital satisfaction but had no additional effects on rates of change. Behavior during marital interaction predicted rates of change in marital satisfaction but was not associated with initial levels.
This study showed that couples' newlywed marriages and changes in their union over the first 2 years foreshadow their long-term marital fate after 13 years. Consistent with the enduring dynamics model, differences in the intensity of newlyweds' romance as well as the extent to which they expressed negative feelings toward each other predicted (a) whether or not they were happy 13 years later (among those who stayed married) and (b) how long their marriage lasted prior to separation (for those who divorced). The results provide little support for the idea that emergence of distress (e.g., increasing negativity) early in marriage leads to marital failure but instead show that disillusionment--as reflected in an abatement of love, a decline in overt affection, a lessening of the conviction that one's spouse is responsive, and an increase in ambivalence--distinguishes couples headed for divorce from those who establish a stable marital bond.
Neuroendocrine function, assessed in 90 couples during their first year of marriage (Time 1), was related to marital dissolution and satisfaction 10 years later. Compared to those who remained married, epinephrine levels of divorced couples were 34% higher during a Time 1 conflict discussion, 22% higher throughout the day, and both epinephrine and norepinephrine were 16% higher at night. Among couples who were still married, Time 1 conflict ACTH levels were twice as high among women whose marriages were troubled 10 years later than among women whose marriages were untroubled. Couples whose marriages were troubled at follow-up produced 34% more norepinephrine during conflict, 24% more norepinephrine during the daytime, and 17% more during nighttime hours at Time 1 than the untroubled.
Specific skills and affective expressions coded from the problem-solving interactions of 172 newlywed couples were examined in relation to 8-wave, 4-year trajectories of marital satisfaction. Effects varied as a function of whether husbands' versus wives' topics were under discussion and whether husbands' versus wives' satisfaction was predicted, but results indicate that skills, affect, and their statistical interaction account for unique variance in rates of change in marital satisfaction. The interaction between positive affect and negative skills was particularly robust, indicating that (a) low levels of positive affect and high levels of negative skills foreshadowed particularly rapid rates of deterioration and that (b) high levels of positive affect buffered the effects of high levels of negative skills. Findings suggest specific targets for intervention in programs for developing marriages.
Physical aggression and marital satisfaction were assessed in 172 newlywed couples annually over the first 4 years of marriage to examine (a) stability of aggression over time and (b) the degree to which fluctuations in aggression precede versus follow fluctuations in marital satisfaction. The stability of aggression varied as a function of initial levels of severity; spouses who were most aggressive early in marriage had greater fluctuations in aggression. Rates of change in aggression predicted changes in satisfaction more than dissatisfaction predicted aggression. Husbands' physical aggression predicted marital discord, whereas wives' aggression predicted marital dissolution. By indicating that aggression (a) is a precursor to adverse marital outcomes and (b) varies across spouses in initial levels and in patterns of temporal change, the present findings highlight the need to understand the contextual factors that govern within-person and within-couple fluctuations in intimate violence.
This study showed that couples' newlywed marriages and changes in their union over the first 2 years foreshadow their long-term marital fate after 13 years. Consistent with the enduring dynamics model, differences in the intensity of newlyweds' romance as well as the extent to which they expressed negative feelings toward each other predicted (a) whether or nor they were happy 13 years later (among those who stayed married) and (b) how long their marriage lasted prior to separation (for those who divorced). The results provide little support for the idea that emergence of distress (e.g., increasing negativity) early in marriage leads to marital failure but instead show that disillusionment-as reflected in an abatement of love, a decline in overt affection, a lessening of the conviction that one's spouse is responsive, and an increase in ambivalence-distinguishes couples headed for divorce from those who establish ii stable marital bond.
The prevailing behavioral account of marriage must be expanded to include covert processes. This article therefore examines the attributions or explanations that spouses make for marital events. A review indicates that dissatisfied spouses, compared with satisfied spouses, make attributions for the partner's behavior that cast it in a negative light. Experimental, clinical outcome, and longitudinal data suggest further that attributions may influence marital satisfaction. Rival hypotheses for these findings are examined. Because continued empirical development in this domain depends on conceptual progress, a framework is presented that integrates attributions, behavior, and marital satisfaction. This framework points to several topics that require systematic study, and specific hypotheses are offered for research on these topics. It is concluded that the promising start made toward understanding marital attributions holds considerable potential for enriching behavioral conceptions of marriage.
For many sampling applications where study goals require oversampling by race/ethnicity, self-reported race/ethnicity is unavailable. We describe a new method that allows oversampling on the basis of indirectly estimated race/ethnicity when name and address information are available. We adapt a Bayesian method for imputing self-reported race/ethnicity from surname and residential address information for use with marriage license application data in order to improve the efficiency of sampling for a study of newly married low-income Hispanic couples. Marriage license data contain the name and address of both parties, but not race/ethnicity. We used the indirect method to generate predicted probabilities that the couple in question falls into each possible combination of race/ethnicity. These probabilities were used to oversample couples of interest to generate a more efficient (weighted) probability sample than was otherwise possible. Based on Census data, we expected that half of our screened sample would be dually Hispanic; with our method, we obtained a sample for screening that was 92-percent dually Hispanic. This method nearly halved the screening needed yet obtained a probability sample of the target population with a small design effect, substantially improving the net efficiency. The potential gains of this approach are greater for rarer populations, and the methods are applicable to other sampling settings where the characteristics of multiple individuals are relevant.
Drawing from social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) and data from 1,640 couples who remained together over the first 4 waves of the German Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics (Pairfam) project, the authors examined the temporal ordering between each partner's relationship efficacy and conflict (constructive behaviors and frequency of negative exchanges) assessed at the dyadic and individual levels. The results revealed that each partner's constructive conflict behaviors and negatively valenced conflict frequency at the couple level temporally preceded relationship efficacy for male and female partners. There was no support for the reverse order or bidirectional linkages over time. These results challenge the prevailing theoretical and empirical suppositions regarding associations between relationship efficacy and couple interactions. The discussion theorizes a more complex efficacy process in couple relations, whereas specific efficacy beliefs shape behaviors in that domain, which subsequently inform each partner's global relationship efficacy over time.
The Supporting Healthy Marriage (SHM) evaluation was launched in 2003 to test the effectiveness of a skills-based relationship education program designed to help low-income married couples strengthen their relationships and, in turn, to support more stable and more nurturing home environments and more positive outcomes for parents and their children. The evaluation is led by MDRC, in collaboration with Abt Associates and other partners, and is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services. The SHM program is a voluntary, yearlong, relationship and marriage education program for lowincome, married couples who have children or are expecting a child. The program provides group workshops based on structured curricula; supplemental activities to build on workshop themes; and family support services to address participation barriers, connect families with other services, and reinforce curricular themes. The study’s rigorous random assignment design compares outcomes for families who are offered SHM’s services with outcomes for a similar group of families who are not offered SHM’s services but can access other services. This report presents estimated impacts on the program’s targeted outcomes about one year after couples entered the study.
The authors present findings from a large-scale, random-assignment evaluation of Building Strong Families (BSF), a program offering group sessions on relationship skills education to low-income, unmarried parents who were expecting or had recently had a baby. Findings based on a 3-year follow-up survey of over 4,000 couples indicate that BSF did not succeed in its central objectives of improving the couple relationship, increasing the quality of coparenting, or enhancing father involvement. In fact, the program had modest negative effects on some of these outcomes. BSF also had little impact on child well-being, with no effect on children's family stability or economic well-being and only a modest positive effect on children's socioemotional development. Impacts varied across the 8 study sites. Although attendance at group sessions was relatively low, there is little evidence of program effects even among couples who attended sessions regularly.
Studies of stress and marital quality often assess stress as an intrapersonal phenomenon, examining how spouses’ stress may influence their own relationship well-being. Yet spouses’ stress also may influence partners’ relationship evaluations, a phenomenon referred to as stress crossover. This study examined stress crossover, and conditions that may facilitate crossover, in a sample of 169 newlywed couples over 3.5 years. A significant crossover effect emerged for husbands, which was moderated by couples’ observed conflict resolution skills. For wives, a significant stress interaction emerged, such that the influence of husbands’ stress on wives’ marital satisfaction depended on wives’ own stress levels. These findings highlight the importance of a dyadic approach when examining the role of stress in marriage.
Utilizing a sample of 76 white, middle-class couples from a rural midwestern county, this study examined two central propositions: (a) the negative impact of economic hardship on a spouse's marital quality (happiness/satisfaction) or marital instability (thoughts or actions related to divorce) is in part a function of its influence on the affective quality of marital interactions, and (b) this process is particularly applicable to the hostile, irritable response of men to financial difficulties. A series of analyses supported these propositions. Economic pressures had an indirect association with married couples' evaluation of the marriage by promoting hostility in marital interactions and curtailing the warm and supportive behaviors spouses express toward one another. The hypothesized process was most pronounced for husbands, whose behavior was more strongly associated with economic problems than wives' behavior. Findings from the study are consistent with previous research that identifies negative affect as a principal behavioral correlate of marital distress; however, the results also suggest that more research needs to be done on the role of warmth and supportiveness in promoting marital quality. Limitations of the research and future research directions are discussed.
focus on processes and mechanisms involved in intimacy and attachment / by the term process, we refer to the sequential unfolding of relevant thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, each of which is influenced by antecedent conditions and anticipated consequences / [this] review goes 1 step further than the typical process model by focusing on "processes within process," which we refer to as component processes / describe how each of these component processes [self-disclosure, responsiveness, and affective interdependence in intimacy and emotion regulation, self-and other-perception, and responsiveness in attachment] operates, as well as how the various subparts are combined and coordinated into how the overall system operates / concerned with processes that characterize adult close relations / primarily describe attachment research conducted with adults, although principles derived from research with infants and children will be invoked when informative (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
In order to ascertain fruitful directions for marital therapy research, practicing marital therapists were asked to provide information regarding the clinical relevance of potential research topics. A structured questionnaire was mailed to 250 members of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Therapists treating at least five couples were asked to rate the frequency, severity, and treatment difficulty for 29 problems commonly experienced by distressed couples. Therapists' responses indicated the clinical relevance of a number of potential directions for research. Communication and alcoholism were most strongly endorsed as priority areas for future marital therapy research.
The similarity in efficacy of evidence-based couple therapies suggests that it may be useful to identify those treatment principles they hold in common. Expanding on the previous description of a unified protocol for couple therapy (Christensen, 2010), this article outlines five common principles: (a) altering the couple's view of the presenting problem to be more objective, contextualized, and dyadic; (b) decreasing emotion-driven, dysfunctional behavior; (c) eliciting emotion-based, avoided, private behavior; (d) increasing constructive communication patterns; and (e) emphasizing strengths and reinforcing gains. For each of these five elements of the unified protocol, the paper addresses how and to what extent the most common forms of evidence-based couple therapy carry out this principle. Implications for clinical practice, treatment research, and basic research on intimate relationships are discussed.
The generalizability of Gottman et al's. (1998) affective process models was examined using a community-based sample of 85 married or cohabiting couples with at-risk backgrounds. Predictive associations between affective processes assessed at about age 21 years and relationship status and satisfaction approximately 2.5 years later were examined. The major findings of Gottman et al. failed to replicate. In particular, men's rejection of their partners' influence, the lack of men's deescalation of partners' negative affect, and women's negative start up were not predictive of relationship status. Further, differences in affective processes were found when comparing discussion sessions of the men's versus the women's chosen topics. The findings suggested that the validity and utility of the affective process models need further investigation.
Demographic characteristics, family financial strain, neighborhood-level economic disadvantage, and state of residence were tested as predictors of observed warmth, hostility, and self-reported marital quality. Participants were 202 married African American couples who resided in a range of neighborhood contexts. Neighborhood-level economic disadvantage predicted lower warmth during marital interactions, as did residence in the rural south. Consistent with the family stress model (e.g., Conger & Elder, 1994), family financial strain predicted lower perceived marital quality. Unexpectedly, neighborhood-level economic disadvantage predicted higher marital quality. Social comparison processes and degree of exposure to racially based discrimination are considered as explanations for this unexpected result. The importance of context in relationship outcomes is highlighted.
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