Communication Patterns and Related Factors among Iranian Couples: A Cross-sectional Study
Keywords:
communication patterns, couples, personality characteristics, marital satisfaction,, public health
Abstract
Background: Given the effect of various factors on the use of communication patterns by couples, this study aimed to determine the most common communication pattern among couples and related factors in Sari, northern Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 520 people (260 couples) in Sari. Data were collected using a demographic–fertility factors questionnaire, Enrich couple scale, communication patterns questionnaire, general health questionnaire (GHQ-28), and NEO personality inventory. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 25 using descriptive and inferential statistics (multiple regression model).
Results: While the mean (standard deviation) age of women included in the study was 34.08 (7.71) years, the mean age of men was 39.13 (9.18) years. The most common communication patterns in both women and men was the mutual constructive communication, whereas the lowest frequent communication pattern was the demand/withdraw communication in both men and women. Marital satisfaction
had a significant positive correlation with mutual constructive communication pattern in women and men (P = 0.001). In addition, a significant inverse correlation was observed between the number of marriage to date, women’s age, and spouses’ demand/withdraw communication pattern with mutual constructive communication pattern in women. Also, a significant inverse correlation was observed between flexibility (P = 0.047), number of marriages (P = 0.013), and the wives’ age (P = 0.005) with mutual constructive communication pattern in men.
Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it is necessary to recognize the factors related to couples’ communication patterns in order to improve the communication patterns so that marital conflicts could be avoided while a more effective communication is established.
References
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[2] Lavner, J. A., Karney, B. R., and Bradbury, T. N. (2016). Does couples’ communicationpredict marital satisfaction, or does marital satisfaction predict communication?Journal of Marriage and Family, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 680–694.
[3] Narimani, M., Pouresmali, A., Mikaeili, N., et al. (2015). The mediating role of couplecommunication patterns in the relationship between enduring vulnerabilities andmarital burnout in the divorce- seeking couples. Journal of Family Psychology, vol.2, no. 2, pp. 51–66.
[4] Mitchell, J. W. and Gamarel, K. E. (2018). Constructive communication patterns andassociated factors among male couples. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy,vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 79–96.
[5] Chi, P., Epstein, N. B., Fang, X., et al. (2013). Similarity of relationship standards,couple communication patterns, and marital satisfaction among Chinese couplesJournal of Family Psychology, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 806–816.
[6] Gilbert, R. L., Murphy, N. A., and Ávalos, M. C. (2011). Communication patternsand satisfaction levels in three-dimensional versus real-life intimate relationships.Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, vol. 14, no. 10, pp. 585–589.
[7] Overall, N. C. and McNulty, J. K. (2017). What type of communication during conflictis beneficial for intimate relationships? Current Opinion in Psychology, vol. 13, pp.1–5.
[8] Yoo, H., Bartle-Haring, S., Day, R. D., et al. (2014). Couple communication, emotionaland sexual intimacy, and relationship satisfaction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy,vol. 40, no. 4, pp. 275–293.
[9] Crenshaw, A. O., Christensen, A., Baucom, D. H., et al. (2017). Revised scoring andimproved reliability for the Communication Patterns Questionnaire. PsychologicalAssessment, vol. 29, no. 7, pp. 913–925.
[10] Falconier, M. K. and Epstein, N. B. (2011). Female-demand/male-withdraw communicationin Argentinian couples: a mediating factor between economic strain andrelationship distress. Personal Relationships, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 586–603.
[11] Litzinger, S. and Gordon, K. C. (2005). Exploring relationships among communication,sexual satisfaction, and marital satisfaction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, vol.31, no. 5, pp. 409–424.
[12] Jones, A. C., Robinson, W. D., and Seedall, R. B. (2018). The role of sexualcommunication in couples’ sexual outcomes: a dyadic path analysis. Journal ofMarital and Family Therapy, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 606–623.
[13] Denton, W. H. and Burleson, B. R. (2007). The initiator style questionnaire: a scaleto assess initiator tendency in couples. Personal Relationships, vol. 14, no. 2, pp.245–268.
[14] Zaheri, F., Dolatian, M., Shariati, M., et al. (2016). Effective factors in marital satisfactionin perspective of Iranian women and men: a systematic review. Electronic Physician,vol. 8, no. 12, pp. 3369–3377.
[15] Overall, N. C., Fletcher, G. J., Simpson, J. A., et al. (2009). Regulating partners inintimate relationships: the costs and benefits of different communication strategies.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 96, no. 3, pp. 620–639.
[16] Baucom, K. J., Sevier, M., Eldridge, K. A., et al. (2011). Observed communicationin couples two years after integrative and traditional behavioral couple therapy:outcome and link with five-year follow-up. Journal of Consulting and ClinicalPsychology, vol. 79, no. 5, pp. 565–576.
[17] Schofield, M. J., Mumford, N., Jurkovic, D., et al. (2012). Short and long-termeffectiveness of couple counselling: a study protocol. BMC Public Health, vol. 12,p. 735.
[18] Christensen, A. and Doss, B. D. (2017). Integrative behavioral couple therapy. CurrentOpinion in Psychology, vol. 13, pp. 111–114.
[19] Alonso Ferres, M., Valor Segura, I., and Expósito Jiménez, F. (2019). Couple conflictfacingresponses from a gender perspective: emotional intelligence as a differentialpattern. Psychiatry International, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 147–156.
[20] Han, K., Weed, N. C., and Butcher, J. N. (2003). Dyadic agreement on the MMPI-2.Personality and Individual Differences, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 603–615.
[21] Gattis, K. S., Berns, S., Simpson, L. E., et al. (2004). Birds of a feather or strangebirds? Ties among personality dimensions, similarity, and marital quality. Journal ofFamily Psychology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 564–574.
[22] Watson, D., Klohnen, E. C., Casillas, A., et al. (2004). Match makers and deal breakers:analyses of assortative.mating in newlywed couples. Journal of Personality, vol. 72,no. 5, pp. 1029–1068.
[23] Dorrance Hall, E., Ma, M., Azimova, D., et al. (2020). The mediating role of familyand cultural food beliefs on the relationship between family communication patternsand diet and health issues across racial/ethnic groups. Health Communication, vol.9, pp. 1–13.
[24] Daneshpour, M., Asoodeh, M. H., Khalili, S., et al. (2011). Self described happy couplesand factors of successful marriage in Iran. Journal of Systemic Therapies, vol. 30,no. 2, pp. 43–64.
[25] Azimi Lolati, H., Hosseini, S. H., Khalilian, A., et al. (2005). Postpartum depressionin clients at health care centers in Sari. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and ClinicalPsychology, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 31–42.
[26] Ebadatpur, B. (2000). Validation of Communication Patterns Questionnaire (Master’sThesis). Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Teacher Training Universityof Tehran, Iran.
[27] Nazifi, M., Mokarami, H., Akbaritabar, A., et al. (2014). Reliability, Validity and FactorStructure of the Persian Translation of General Health Questionnire (GHQ-28) inHospitals of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Journal of Fasa University ofMedical Sciences, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 336–342.
[28] Garussi Farshi, M. T., Mehriar, A. H., and Ghazi tabatabaee, S. M. (2001). Applicationof New Neo Personality Test (NEO) and Analysis of its Characteristics and FactorStructure among Iranian University Students. JournalofHumanities,vol.11,no.39,pp. 173–198.
[29] Papp, L. M., Goeke-Morey, M. C., and Cummings, E. M. (2007). Linkages betweenspouses psychological distress and marital conflict in the home. Journal of FamilyPsychology, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 533–537.
[30] Gottman, J. M. and Notarius, C. I. (2000). Decade review: observing maritalinteraction. Journal of Marriage and Family, vol. 62, no. 4, pp. 927–947.
[31] Khodakarami, B., Masoomi, S. Z., and Asadi, R. (2017). The status and maritalsatisfaction factors in nulliparous pregnant females attending clinics in AsadabadCity during years 2015 and 2016. Avicenna Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Care,vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 52–59.
[32] Bakhshi, H., Asadpour, M., and Khodadadizadeh, A. (2007). Correlation betweenmarital satisfaction and depression among couples in Rafsanjan. Journal of QazvinUniversity of Medical Science, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 37–43.
[33] Vaijayanthimala, K., Kumari, K. B., and Panda, B. (2004). Socio-economic heterogomyand marital satisfaction. Human Ecology, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 9–11.
[34] Karney, B. R. and Bradbury, T. N. (2005). Contextual influences on marriage:Implications for policy and intervention. Current Directions in Psychological Science,vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 171–174.
[35] Kardan-Souraki, M., Asadpour, I., Mohammadpour, R. A., et al. (2016). A review ofmarital intimacy-enhancing interventions among married individuals. Global Journalof Health Science, vol. 8, no. 8, p. 53109.
[36] Burgess, S., Propper, C., and Aassve, A. (2003). The role of income in marriage anddivorce transitions among young Americans. Journal of Population Economics, vol.16, pp. 455–475.
[37] Nunley, J. M. and Seals, A. (2010). The effects of household income volatility ondivorce. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, vol. 69, no. 3, pp. 983–1010.
[38] Delaney, A. L. and Sharabi, L. L. (2020). Relational uncertainty and interference froma partner as predictors of demand/withdraw in couples with depressive symptoms.Western Journal of Communication, vol. 84, no. 1, pp. 58–78.
[39] Gottman, J. M. N. C. (2002). Marital in 20th century and research and for 21st century.Family Process, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 159–197.
[40] Plooy, K. D. and Beer, R. D. (2018). Effective interactions: communication and highlevels of marital satisfaction. Journal of Psychology in Africa, vol. 28, no. 2, pp.161–167.
