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Interaction and Relationship Development in Stable Young Couples: Effects of Positive Engagement, Psychological Aggression, and Withdrawal

NCJ Number
225647
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 31 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2008 Pages: 815-835
Author(s)
Heidemarie K. Laurent; Hyoun K. Kim; Deborah M. Capaldi
Date Published
December 2008
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study tested associations over time between observed conflict styles--positive engagement, psychological aggression, and withdrawal--and relationship satisfaction in young adult couples from higher crime areas in a medium-size metropolitan area in the Pacific Northwest.
Abstract
The study found that couples displayed normative shifts in conflict engagement from adolescence to adulthood, as they used more positive engagement and less psychological aggression; however, the adolescent tactic of withdrawal continued to be used by young adult men. Young women’s positive engagement benefited the couples, extending to both partners. Women’s average level of positive engagement predicted higher satisfaction in the relationship, regardless of whose problem was being discussed. The withdrawal strategy used more frequently by men may help to preserve relationships when negotiation skills and relationship security are relatively undeveloped. These findings indicate that young men may be closer to adolescents in their capacity to engage effectively in conflict, possibly due to a gender gap in relationship socialization or in general social-cognitive maturity. Study participants were 47 couples who participated at 5 time points with the same partner. The time points were 17-20 years old, 20-23 years old, 23-25 years old, 25-27 years old, and 27-29 years old. The assessment involved a separate interview and questionnaires for the men and their partners, along with a series of six discussion tasks that were videotaped. Coding was used for two problem solving discussion tasks. The Family and Peer Process Code was used to code the interaction tasks at each time point. The procedures measured couple interaction patterns, positive engagement, psychological aggression, withdrawal, relationship satisfaction, and relationship control variables. 5 tables and 40 references