Communication, Love and Relationship Satisfaction

The present research explored the importance of several communication-related variables, including perspective-taking, self-disclosure, conflict tactics and relational competence, as well as love attitudes, in the prediction of relationship satisfaction. Some 140 dating couples completed several measures, including assessments of self as well as the romantic partner. Findings revealed that self and partner communication variables, and love orientations were significant predictors of relationship satisfaction. Implications for the importance of communication in relationships are discussed.

[1]  G. Spanier Measuring Dyadic Adjustment: new scales for assessing the quality of marriage and similar dyads , 1976 .

[2]  G. Bowen,et al.  Marital disclosure and marital satisfaction: Direct-effect versus interaction-effect models , 1991 .

[3]  B R Karney,et al.  The longitudinal course of marital quality and stability: a review of theory, method, and research. , 1995, Psychological bulletin.

[4]  E. Long Measuring Dyadic Perspective-Taking: Two Scales for Assessing Perspective-Taking in Marriage and Similar Dyads , 1990 .

[5]  R. Gonzalez,et al.  On the statistics of interdependence: Treating dyadic data with respect. , 1997 .

[6]  Brian H. Spitzberg,et al.  Attribution biases and associations between conflict strategies and competence outcomes , 1990 .

[7]  Self disclosure between husbands and wives: Its relationship to sex roles and marital happiness , 1987 .

[8]  S. Mickler,et al.  The relationship between love attitudes and conflict responses , 1989 .

[9]  Susan S. Hendrick,et al.  Romantic relationships: Love, satisfaction, and staying together. , 1988 .

[10]  Jacki Fitzpatrick,et al.  Masculinity, Femininity and Relationship Satisfaction: The Mediating Role of Interpersonal Competence , 1994 .

[11]  Barbara A. Winstead Psychotherapy As a Personal Relationship , 1991 .

[12]  P. Andersen,et al.  Handbook of Communication and Emotion , 1998 .

[13]  Susan S. Hendrick,et al.  Love and Sexual Attitudes, Self-Disclosure and Sensation Seeking , 1987 .

[14]  D. Canary,et al.  Relational and Episodic Characteristics Associated with Conflict Tactics , 1988 .

[15]  E. Long Perspective-Taking Differences between High- and Low-Adjustment Marriages: Implications for Those in Intervention. , 1993 .

[16]  Arthur P. Bochner,et al.  Interpersonal Competence: Rationale, Philosophy, and Implementation of a Conceptual Framework; Interpersonal Communication Instruction--Theory and Practice; A Symposium. , 1974 .

[17]  K. Millar,et al.  Sex Differences in Perceived Self- and Other-Disclosure: A Case Where Inequity Increases Satisfaction. , 1988 .

[18]  V. Derlega,et al.  Gender and Close Relationships , 1997 .

[19]  R. L. Archer,et al.  Openers: Individuals who elicit intimate self-disclosure. , 1983 .

[20]  Daniel J. Canary,et al.  Goal Types, Gender, and Locus of Control in Managing Interpersonal Conflict , 1988 .

[21]  Mark H. Davis Empathy: A Social Psychological Approach , 1994 .

[22]  D. A. Kenny,et al.  The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. , 1986, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[23]  E. Long,et al.  Perspective taking as a predictor of marital adjustment. , 1990 .

[24]  N. Jacobson,et al.  Reactivity to positive and negative behavior in distressed and nondistressed married couples. , 1982, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[25]  J. G. Holmes,et al.  The benefits of positive illusions: Idealization and the construction of satisfaction in close relationships. , 1996 .

[26]  Walter R. Schumm,et al.  Concurrent and discriminant validity of the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. , 1986 .

[27]  Susan S. Hendrick A generic measure of relationship satisfaction. , 1988 .

[28]  Letitia Anne Peplau,et al.  Testing the Rusbult Model of Relationship Commitment and Stability in a 15-Year Study of Heterosexual Couples , 1996 .

[29]  Karen E. Campbell,et al.  Sex and Gender Differences in Personal Relationships , 1997 .

[30]  Elizabeth M. Johnson,et al.  Satisfaction in Close Relationships , 1999 .

[31]  M. T. Nietzel,et al.  Relationship of instrumental and affectional behaviors and self-esteem to marital satisfaction in distressed and nondistressed couples. , 1979 .

[32]  L. Wheeler,et al.  Review of personality and social psychology , 1980 .

[33]  Brian H. Spitzberg,et al.  A COMPONENT MODEL OF RELATIONAL COMPETENCE , 1984 .

[34]  B. Burleson,et al.  THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMMUNICATION SKILL AND MARITAL SATISFACTION: SOME MODERATING EFFECTS , 1997 .

[35]  T. Wills,et al.  A behavioral analysis of the determinants of marital satisfaction. , 1974, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[36]  Mark H. Davis,et al.  Maintenance of satisfaction in romantic relationships: Empathy and relational competence. , 1987 .

[37]  Brian H. Spitzberg,et al.  Loneliness and Relationally Competent Communication , 1985 .

[38]  Susan S. Hendrick,et al.  A theory and method of love. , 1986 .

[39]  E. Long Maintaining a Stable Marriage , 1994 .

[40]  Brian H. Spitzberg,et al.  A Model of the Perceived Competence of Conflict Strategies. , 1989 .

[41]  Alan L. Sillars,et al.  CODING VERBAL CONFLICT TACTICS: NONVERBAL AND PERCEPTUAL CORRELATES OF THE “AVOIDANCE‐DISTRIBUTIVE‐INTEGRATIVE” DISTINCTION , 1982 .