Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T04:23:22.276Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Assessment and Modification of Marital Communication

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Patricia Noller  and
Diane Guthrie
Patricia Noller*
Affiliation:
University of Queensland
Diane Guthrie
Affiliation:
University of Queensland
*
Department of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4067
Get access

Abstract

Our aim in this paper is to provide researchers and practitioners with a brief overview of current approaches to the assessment and treatment of dysfunctional communication in marriage. In our discussion of assessment, we examine four basic types of procedures: questionnaires, self-monitoring techniques, interviews and techniques involving the direct observation of interaction. We conclude that both insider (spouses' perceptions and interpretations gathered through self-report and self-monitoring) and outsider (direct observation of interaction) provide different but equally valid information about the relationship. Therapists and researchers are encouraged to use both types of information. Our discussion of therapeutic techniques includes the three major components of Behavioural Marital Therapy (BMT): Behaviour Exchange, Communication Training and Problem-Solving Training. We also focus on the importance of considering spouses' cognitions and emotional reactions, particularly those related to sex roles, when designing therapeutic approaches. Issues related to assessing the efficacy of therapy outcome are also discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 6 , Issue 3-4 , September 1989 , pp. 124 - 136
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Allan, G. (1980). A note on interviewing spouses together. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 42, 1, 205–210.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baucom, D.H. (1982). A comparison of behavioral contracting and problem-solving communication training in behavioral marital therapy. Behavior Therapy, 13, 162–174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baucom, D.H. & Hoffman, J.A. (1986). The effectiveness of marital therapy: Curent status and application to the clinical setting. In Jacobson, N.S. & Gurman, A.S. (Eds.), Clinical Handbook of Marital Therapy, New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Bienvenu, M.J. (1970). Measurement of marital communication. The Family Coordinator, 19, 26–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bradbury, T.N. & Fincham, F.D. (1987). Assessment of affect in marriage. In O'Leary, K.D. (Ed) Assessment of Marital Discord: An Integration for Research and Clinical Practice. Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. 59–108.Google Scholar
Christensen, A. (1988). Dysfunctional interaction patterns in couples. In Noller, P. & Fitzpatrick, M.A., (Eds.), Perspectives on Marital Interaction. Clevedon & Philadelphia: Multilingual Matters. (31–52).Google Scholar
Christensen, A. & Sullaway, M. (1984). Communication Patterns Questionnaire. Unpublished questionnaire, University of California, Los Angeles.Google Scholar
Feldman, L.B. (1986). Sex-role issues in marital therapy. In Jacobson, N.S. & Gurman, A.S. (Eds.), Clinical Handbook of Marital Therapy. New York: The Guilford Press. (345–359).Google Scholar
Floyd, F. & Markman, H. (1984). An economical observational measure of couples' communication skill. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 52, 1, 97–103.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Floyd, F., O'Farrell, T.J. & Goldberg, M. (1987). Comparison of marital observational measures: The Marital Interaction Coding System and the Communication Skills Test. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 3, 423–429.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gottman, J.M. (1985). Observational measures of behavior therapy outcome: A reply to Jacobson. Behavioral Assessment, 7, 317–321.Google Scholar
Gottman, J.M., Markman, H.J. & Notarius, C.I. (1977). The topography of marital conflict: A sequential analysis of verbal and nonverbal behavior. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 39, 461–477.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gottman, J., Notarius, C., Gonso, J. & Markman, H. (1976). A couple's guide to communication. Campaign, Illinois: Research Press.Google Scholar
Gottman, J., Notarius, C., Markman, H., Bank, S., Yoppi, B. & Rubin, M. (1976). Behavior exchange theory and marital decision making. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34, 1, 14–23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hahlweg, K. & Markman, H.J. (1988). Effectiveness of Behavioral Marital Therapy: Empirical status of behavioral techniques in preventing and alleviating marital distress. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56, 3, 440–447.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hahlweg, K., Reisner, L., Kohli, G., Vollmer, M., Schindler, L. & Revenstorf, D. (1984). Development and validity of a new system to analyze interpersonal communication: Kategoriensystem Fur Partnerschaftliche Interaktion. In Hahlweg, K. & Jacobson, N.S. (Eds) Marital interaction: Analysis and modification (182–198). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Hahlweg, K., Schindler, L., Revenstorf, D. & Brengelmann, J.C. (1984). The Munich marital therapy study. In Hahlweg, K. & Jacobson, N.S. (Eds.), Marital interaction: Analysis and modification (3–26). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Hahlweg, K., Revenstorf, D. & Schindler, L. (1984). Effects of Behavioral Marital Therapy on couples' communication and problem-solving skills. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 553–566.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hops, H., Wills, T.A., Weiss, R.L. & Patterson, G.R. (1972). Marital Interaction Coding System. Eugene, Oregon: University of Oregon Press.Google Scholar
Jacob, T. & Tennenbaum, D.L. (1988). Family Assessment: Rationale, Methods and Future Directions. New York: Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jacobson, N.S. (1984). A component analysis of behavioral marital therapy: The relative effectiveness of behavior exchange and communication/problem-solving training. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 2, 295–305 (a).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jacobson, N.S. (1984). The modification of cognitive processes in behavioral marital therapy: Integrating cognitive and behavioral intervention strategies. In Hahlweg, K. & Jacobson, N.S. (Eds.), Marital Interaction: Analysis & Modification (285–308)(b). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Jacobson, N. (1985). The role of observational measures in behavior therapy outcome research. Behavioral Assessment, 7, 297–308.Google Scholar
Jacobson, N.S., Follette, W.C. & Ellwood, R.W. (1984). Outcome research on behavioral marital therapy: A methodological and conceptual reappraisal. In Hahlweg, K. & Jacobson, N.S. (Eds.), Marital interaction: Analysis and modification (113–129). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Jacobson, N., Follette, W.C. & Pagel, M. (1986). Predicting who will benefit from behavioral marital therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 4, 518–522.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jacobson, N.S. & Holtzworth-Monroe, A. (1986). Marital therapy: A social learning-cognitive perspective. In Jacobson, N.S. & Gurman, A.S. (Eds.), Clinical Handbook of Marital Therapy (29–70). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Jacobson, N. & Moore, D. (1981). Spouses as observers of events in their relationship. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 49, 269–277.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Margolin, G. (1981). Practical applications of behavioral marital assessment. In Filsinger, E.E. & Lewis, R.A. (Eds.), Assessing marriage: New behavioral approaches (90–109). Beverly Hills, Calif.: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Margolin, G., Olkin, R. & Baum, M. (1977). The Anger Checklist. Unpublished inventory, University of California, Santa Barbara.Google Scholar
Markman, H. (1981). Prediction of marital distress: A 5 year follow-up. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 49, 760–762.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Markman, H. (1984). The longitudinal study of couples' interactions: Implications for understanding and predicting the development of marital distress. In Hahlweg, K. & Jacobson, N.S. (Eds.), Marital Interaction: Analysis & Modification (253–281). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Markman, H.J., Floyd, F., Stanley, S. & Jamieson, K. (1984). A cognitive/behavioral program for the prevention of marital and family distress: Issues in program development and delivery. In Hahlweg, K. & Jacobson, N.S. (Eds) Marital Interaction: Analysis & Modification (396–428). New York: The Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Mornell, J. (1979). Passive men, wild women. New York: Ballantine Books.Google Scholar
Noller, P. (1984). Nonverbal Communication and Marital Interaction. Oxford: Pergamon Press.Google Scholar
Noller, P. (1988). Overview and implications. In Noller, P. & Fitzpatrick, M. A. (Eds.), Perspectives on Marital Interaction (323–344). Clevedon & Philadelphia: Multilingual Matters.Google Scholar
Noller, P. & Fitzpatrick, M.A. (Eds) (1988). Perspectives on Marital Interaction. Clevedon & Philadelphia: Multilingual Matters.Google Scholar
Noller, P. & White, A. (1988). Patterns of interaction in married couples: The utility of self-report. Paper presented at the International Conference on Personal Relationships, Vancouver, Canada.Google Scholar
Norton, R. (1983). Measuring marital quality: A critical look at the dependent variable. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 45, 141–151.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peterson, D.R. (1979). Assessing interpersonal relationships by means of interaction records. Behavioral Assessment, 1, 221–236.Google Scholar
Sade, J.E. & Notarius, C.I.Emotional expression in marital and family relationships. In L'Abate, L. (Ed.), The Handbook of Family Psychology and Therapy. Vol.1 (378–404). Homewood, Illinois: The Dorsey Press.Google Scholar
Satir, V. (1976). Family communication and conjoint family therapy. In Ard, B.N. & Ard, C.C. (Eds.), Handbook of Marriage Counselling 2nd ed. (175–185). Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior Books.Google Scholar
Schaap, C., Buunk, B. & Kerkstra, A. (1988). Marital conflict resolution. In Noller, P. & Fitzpatrick, M.A. (Eds.), Perspectives on Marital Interaction (203–244). Clevedon & Philadelphia: Multilingual Matters.Google Scholar
Schumm, W.R., Anderson, S.A. & Griffin, C.L. (1983). The Marital Communication Inventory. In Filsinger, E.E. (Ed.), Marriage and family assessment (191–208). Beverly Hills, Calif: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Schumm, W.R., Anderson, S.A., Race, G.S., Morris, J.E., Griffin, C.L., McCutchen, M.B. & Benigas, J.E. (1983). Construct validity of the Marital Communication Inventory. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 9, 153–162.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schumm, W.R., Figley, C.R., & Jurich, A.P. (1979). The dimensionality of the Marital Communication Inventory: A preliminary factor analytic study. Psychological Reports, 45, 123–128.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schumm, W.R. & Jackson, R.W. (1980). Marital communication or marital adjustment? A brief report on the Marital Communication Inventory. Psychological Reports, 46, 441–442.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Snyder, D.K. (1979). Multidimensional assessment of marital satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 11, 813–823.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Snyder, D.K. (1983). Clinical and research applications of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory. In Filsinger, E.E. (Ed.), Marriage and family assessment (169–189). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Turkewitz, H. & O'Leary, K.D. (1981). A comparative outcome study of behavioral marital therapy and communication therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 7, 159–169.Google Scholar
White, L. (1983). Determinants of spousal interaction: marital structure or marital happiness. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 45, 3, 571–579.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wills, T.A., Weiss, R.L. & Patterson, G.R. (1974). Behavioral analysis of the determinants of marital satisfaction. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 42, 6, 802–811.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed