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The interaction between marital standards and communication patterns: how does it contribute to marital adjustment?
K C Gordon1, D H Baucom, N Epstein
1Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-3270, USA.
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
|May 13, 1999
Summary
Marital cognitions and communication impact relationship satisfaction. For women, communication
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Marital distress is linked to couples' thoughts about marriage and communication styles.
- Understanding these connections is crucial for relationship health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interplay between marital cognitions, communication patterns, and marital adjustment.
- To explore potential gender differences in these relationships.
Main Methods:
- 387 community couples completed self-report measures.
- Key instruments included the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Inventory of Specific Relationship Standards, and Communication Patterns Questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Communication significantly correlated with marital adjustment.
- This correlation was stronger for women with more relationship-focused standards, an interaction not observed in men.
Conclusions:
- Cognitions about relationships moderate the effect of communication on marital adjustment for women.
- Interventions should address both communication skills and underlying cognitions, considering gender-specific dynamics.
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