Relation between Sex-Role Orientation and Marital Satisfaction

This study investigated the reported marital satisfaction of couples as it related to their sex-role orientations. One hundred eighty-five couples living in Columbia, MD, completed Rem Sex-Role Inventories and Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Tests. The results suggest that couples in which both partners are androgynous report higher marital satisfaction than both sex-typed (traditional role) couples and incongruent (sex-typed spouse with non-sex-typed spouse) couples. These results were discussed in a framework of cognitive balance.

Observation of couple conflicts: clinical assessment applications, stubborn truths, and shaky foundations

The purpose of this review is to provide a balanced examination of the published research involving the observation of couples, with special attention toward the use of observation for clinical assessment. All published articles that (a) used an observational coding system and (b) relate to the validity of the coding system are summarized in a table. The psychometric properties of observational systems and the use of observation in clinical practice are discussed. Although advances have been made in understanding couple conflict through the use of observation, the review concludes with an appeal to the field to develop constructs in a psychometrically and theoretically sound manner.

The clinician rating of adult communication (CRAC): a clinician's guide to the assessment of interpersonal communication skill

This paper reports the results of an initial investigation of the psychometric properties of a new clinical marital communication assessment instrument, the Clinician Rating of Adult Communication (CRAC). The sample consisted of 36 marital communication samples from both maritally satisfied and distressed couples. Reliability results indicated that the CRAC demonstrated high levels of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and interrater agreement. Support for the validity of the CRAC was found in its correspondence with a marital interaction coding system, its relationship to ratings of marital satisfaction, and its concordance with couples' perceptions of their conflict management behavior. Overall, these findings support the conclusion that the CRAC may provide a useful addition to the measurement armamentarium of the marital clinician and researcher.

Enrich marital inventory: a discriminant validity and cross-validation assessment

To assess the validity and clinical utility of the marital inventory ENRICH, a discriminant validity study was conducted using a national sample of 5039 married couples. The sample was randomly split in order to form a cross-validation group. ENRICH is a multidimensional scale and two types of analysis were conducted to assess the value of these various scales. Results from discriminant analysis indicated that using either the individual scores or couples' scores, happily married couples could be discriminated from unhappily married couples with 85-95% accuracy. These results were cross-validated with a second sample. Using regression analysis, it was clearly demonstrated that background factors account for little of the variance in discriminating happy from unhappily married couples compared to their relationship dynamics, i.e., scale scores. All ENRICH scales except equalitarian roles proved significant, indicating the validity of a multidimensional inventory.

Choices among marital observation coding systems

It is argued that researchers and therapists could benefit from a detailed comparison of marital observation coding systems. The five chosen for comparison are Weiss' Marital Interaction Coding System, Gottman's Couples Interaction Scoring System, Filsinger's Dyadic Interaction Scoring Code, Olson and Ryder's Marital and Family Interaction Coding System, and Raush's Coding Scheme for Interpersonal Conflict. The strengths and weaknesses of each are noted, along with recommendations for their use in clinical situations.

Problem-solving skills in happy and distressed couples: effects of videotape and verbal feedback

Investigated communication in happy and distressed married couples, in two studies. Fifty-eight couples' problem-solving behaviors were evaluated by the spouses themselves and by trained observers. Some distressed couples viewed their own videotape; others received a placebo intervention. Half of the distressed couples received written feedback before a second discussion. Results indicated that (a) distressed and happy couples differed on some behavioral measures; (b) both happy and distressed wives engaged in more negative behaviors than husbands; (c) videotape and written feedback were ineffective in altering behaviors; (d) husbands' and wives' negative behaviors were correlated highly; and (e) spouses' and observers' ratings were independent. Implications for research on marriage and for behavioral couple therapy are discussed.

Videotape and verbal feedback in behavioral couple therapy: a review

Reviewed the experimental evidence for the efficacy of videotape and verbal feedback in behavioral couple therapy; it is concluded that research to date does not permit definitive conclusions concerning the efficacy of either procedure. Studies on behavioral differences between happy and distressed couples also were summarized. The evidence indicates that it is, as yet, difficult to ascertain just how the communication behaviors of happy and distressed couples differ.

Naturalistic observation in assessment of behavioral marital therapy

The purpose of the present study was to gather preliminary naturalistic observations on the effects of behavioral marital therapy. A second purpose was to gather preliminary data on the importance of the sequence of components of a behavioral marital treatment involving communication training and training in negotiation and contracting. Marital satisfaction of seven couples participating in a marital intervention program was assessed with questionnaires and home observations during a baseline period, after a didactic education phase, after training in communication, and after training in negotiation and contracting. Four couples received communication skills training prior to training in negotiation and contracting; three couples received these components in the reverse order. A 1-yr. follow-up of marital satisfaction was also conducted. Significant increases were noted in self-reported marital satisfaction throughout the program although there was no significant relationship between outcome and the sequence of the two main treatment components. Data from naturalistic observation showed decreases in the rate of both negative and positive behaviors in marital interaction over the course of therapy.