Validity studies on the Ryle Marital Patterns Test

The case for a questionnaire for assessing marital interaction has been enhanced by recent research showing that patterns of marital interaction can indicate prognosis in schizophrenia, alcoholism, neurotic illnesses and depression. This paper reviews previous studies which have provided information on the validity of Ryle's Marital Patterns Test and presents additional data from Adelaide studies of psychiatric in-patients and family planning clinic patients. The affection scales, especially affection received, have shown good agreement with external criteria in four studies. Problems with face validity and internal consistency suggest that three items should be excluded from scoring in the current affection scales. Future development of this type of questionnaire might expand the affection dimension to include more items on hostility and criticism. The utility of the domination scale is less certain because of the relativity of the concept and unsatisfactory agreement with external criteria of domination.