Behavioural-communications treatment of marital interaction: negative behaviours

The present investigation assessed the effectiveness of a behavioural-communications marital intervention package focused solely upon negative behaviours. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated via two independent, within-subject multiple base-line designs. Four target behaviours, selected on the basis of clinical and laboratory assessment, were sequentially and cumulatively introduced over the course of an eight-week treatment programme. Multimodal assessment techniques included self-report, spouse-report, and direct observations of laboratory-based interactions. While slight differences occurred between measurement systems, all results attested to the efficacy of the therapeutic package. One-year follow-up data continued to indicate maintenance of treatment gains over time. These findings were discussed with regard to decelerative targets of intervention, and recommendations were made for continued investigations in the area.