Marital interaction and satisfaction: A longitudinal view.

Abstract

Two longitudinal studies of marital interaction were conducted using observational coding of couples attempting to resolve a high-conflict issue. We found that a different pattern of results predicts concurrent marital satisfaction than predicts change in marital satisfaction over 3 years. Results suggest that some marital interaction patterns, such as disagreement and anger exchanges, which have usually been considered harmful to a marriage, may not be harmful in the long run. These patterns were found to relate to unhappiness and negative interaction at home concurrently, but they were predictive of improvement in marital satisfaction longitudinally. However; three interaction patterns were identified as dysfunctional in terms of longitudinal deterioration: defensiveness (which includes whining), stubborness, and withdrawal from interaction. Hypotheses about gender differences in roles for the maintenance of marital satisfaction are presented.Perhaps the oldest question in the research literature on marriage is, What distinguishes a happy marriage from one that is unhappy (Terman, Buttenweiser, Ferguson, Johnson, & Wilson, 1938)? To this we add the related longitudinal question, What distinguishes a marriage that will become more satisfying over time from one that will become less satisfying over time? At first glance, it might seem that the same set of features will provide the answer to both the contemporary and the longitudinal questions, but the possibility of different answers becomes quite strong on further consideration: For example, behaviors that are functional for "keeping the peace" in the present may leave unresolved critical areas of conflict that might undermine the relationship over time.We examined these questions by using the microanalytic observation of behavior. Although research on marriage has been conducted since the 1930s, most of the early work relied exclusively on self-report and interview methods. The legacy of this early work was a number of good self-report measures of marital satisfaction with excellent psychometric properties of construct validity and discriminant validity as well as moderate

Mindfulness and Marital Satisfaction

“…Conflict is not unusual in the context of a marriage, and may even deliver long-term benefits, if handled in a particular manner (Gottman & Krokoff, 1989). When characterized by stubbornness, defensiveness, and withdrawal, conflicts become detrimental to the relationship because these elements remove the possibility for cooperation and constructive interaction (Gill, Christensen, & Fincham, 1999;MacEwen & Barling, 1993;Pasupathi, Carstensen, Levenson, & Gottman, 1999;Zimmerman & Dickerson, 1993).…”

“…Many researchers who find a high correlation between behavioral congruence, rather than personality congruence, and marital satisfaction recommend that couples find a combination of behaviors that are most conducive to positive conflictmanagement, that is, behaviors that enable spouses to solve problems with mutual respect and empathy (Gill et al, 1999;Gottman & Krokoff, 1989). Just as personality theorists claim with great substantiation that neuroticism taints the quality of any marriage, behavior theorists are quick to categorize such conduct as avoidance, defensiveness, and stubbornness as dysfunctional for a healthy marriage.…”

Effects of a Couple Communication Program on Marital Adjustment

“…11,12 Studies reveal a high correlation between the communication and conflict resolution skills of couples and marital adjustment and divorce rates. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Many patients may prefer to acquire these skills via family therapy in the primary care setting, wishing to avoid the potential stigma attached to referral to outside professionals. A trusting, long-term relationship with their primary care physician may be particularly helpful to such couples.…”

Influences of Personality Patterns on Marital Adjustment by Interacting with Conflict Resolution Styles

“…Bowman, 1990;Gottman, 1994b). 이는 갈등여부가 중요한 것이 아니라 두 사람이 그러한 갈등에 어떻게 대처하고 어떤 방식으로 해결하는가에 따라 결혼만족도가 결정된다는 것이다 (Bowman, 1990;Gottman, 1994b;Heavey, Layne, & Christensen, 1993) (Fitzpatrick, 1998a(Fitzpatrick, , 1998bFitzpatrick, Follis, & Vance, 1982;Gottman, 1993Gottman, , 1994Gottman & Levenson, 1992 Christensen & Shrenk, 1991;Gottman & Krokoff, 1989).…”