This reading is for the module 'Psychology of the Family: Beyond Attachment' (C8549). This is the second essential reading for week 3 of the Autumn term, 2021/22.
Psychology of the Family: Beyond Attachment (C8549) – Essential Reading
(b), Week 3
Does Couple’s Communication Predict Marital Satisfaction, or Does Marital
Satisfaction Predict Communication?
Lavner, J.A., Karney, B.R. and Bradbury, T.N. (2016), Does Couples' Communication Predict Marital
Satisfaction, or Does Marital Satisfaction Predict Communication?. Fam Relat, 78: 680-694. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.sussex.ac.uk/10.1111/jomf.12301
Introduction (Pages 680 – 683)
Happy marriages can be distinguished from unhappy marriages by the ratio of positive to
negative behaviours occurring during the relationship (Jacobson & Margolin, 1979).
The behavioural theory argues that distress is the result of aversive and ineffectual
responses to conflict between couples (Koerner & Jacobson, 1994, p. 208).
Low levels of positive affect and high levels of negative skills predict a decline in marital
satisfaction (Johnson et al., 2005).
The focus on decreasing negative communication/promoting positive communication is
now a key feature of many couple education programs (e.g., Hsueh et al., 2012; Wood,
Moore, Clarkwest, & Killwald, 2014).
The Current Study
Four waves of data; low-income, ethnically diverse newly-wed couples – studied over 3
years.
Antecedent-consequent models have two key predictions:
1. Communication (at one time) should lead to a change in satisfaction at a
subsequent time point.
2. Satisfaction (at one time) can lead to a change in communication at a subsequent
time point.
Two main factors which may affect general patterns:
1. Whether relationship between communication and marital satisfaction varies,
depending on the type of communication considered.
2. Examined reciprocal associations between spouses’ own degree of satisfaction and
communication and their partner’s degree of satisfaction and communication.
Method (Pages 683 – 685)
Sampling Participants Procedure Behavioural Marital
Observation Satisfaction
Questionnaire
Couples 431 couples Three 8-minute Videotapes Eight items. Five of
were completed the study. discussions. scored by 16 them asked how
identified At the time of For interaction 1 – trained coders. satisfied
through assessment, marriage identify topic of Three factors: respondents were
names and length was 4.8 disagreement. Positivity, with particular
addresses months on average. For interaction 2 – negativity, areas on
used on 38.5% had children. One spouse talks effectiveness). relationship. The
marriage Mean age for men = about something Factors explain other three asked
license 27.9 years old. Mean they want to 35.7% of about degree that
applications. age for women = 26.3 change about variance for participants agreed
years old. themselves. husbands; 34.7% with particular
76% were Hispanic. Procedures were for women. statements about
repeated three relationship.
more times at 9-
month intervals.
Results (Pages 685 – 690)
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