THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF MARITAL INTERACTION RELATED TO MARITAL SATISFACTION: A BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

An assessment instrument is presented for the evaluation of the quantity and quality of dyadic interaction, as well as for the daily recording of behaviors presented and omitted which influence marital satisfaction. Comparison of data from ten happy couples and from ten couples entering therapy indicated two distinct dysfunctional patterns among distressed couples, with significantly different patterns of time‐together and positive/negative ratios differentiating the happy versus therapy groups. Independent behavioral recording for 14 consecutive days significantly increased husband‐wife agreement on a traditional adjustment questionnaire without significantly increasing or decreasing the level of satisfaction being assessed. There was no difference between groups as to interspousal agreement on amount of time together. However, the happy couples agreed on daily quality ratings of the 72 15‐minute segments significantly more often than did the distressed couples. Couples at the extremes of the happy‐distressed continuum reported rewarding and punishing, respectively, in response to the partners presence , regardless of behaviors emitted. Midrange happy couples defined “pleasant” as positive behaviors presented; midrange distressed couples defined “pleasant” as negative behaviors omitted. Theoretical and clinical implications of behavioral analysis of sequential patterns are discussed.