Keywords
marital communication; communication skills training; speaker-listener technique; quantitative research
Disciplines
Psychology
Abstract
This study experimentally examines the speaker-listener technique on marital satisfaction and communication behaviors when couples (N = 30) were instructed to either discuss an issue within or outside the marriage on marital satisfaction and communication behaviors. This study was based the Gottman et al. hypothesis that the speaker-listener technique would lead to improved marital satisfaction when the couple is discussing a third-party issue, but discussing an issue about each other would weaken the marital relationship. A series of analyses of covariance were conducted on these data, and no differences were found between the two groups on their self-reported marital satisfaction or communication skills behaviors, which were not support the Gottman et al. hypothesis. Possible interpretations of these data and areas for further investigation are suggested.
ScholarWorks Citation
Cornelius, Tara L.; Alessi, Galen; and Shorey, Ryan C., "The Effectiveness of Communication Skills Training With Married Couples: Does the Issue Discussed Matter?" (2007). Peer Reviewed Articles. 11.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/psy_articles/11
Comments
Original Citation: Cornelius, Tara L., Galen Alessi, and Ryan C. Shorey. "The Effectiveness of Communication Skills Training With Married Couples: Does the Issue Discussed Matter?" The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families 15, no. 2 (2007): 124-132.