Couples' communication quality differs by topic
- PMID: 37199946
- PMCID: PMC10523945
- DOI: 10.1037/fam0001111
Couples' communication quality differs by topic
Abstract
Extensive research has demonstrated that couples' communication quality is related to many aspects of couples' lives, including relationship satisfaction. However, the possibility that the quality of couples' communication might vary as a function of the topic of communication and the implications of this variability have received relatively little attention. Accordingly, this study sought to examine (a) within-person variability in communication quality between topics, (b) associations with relationship satisfaction, and (c) associations with stressors focal to specific topics. Black coparenting couples (N = 344) reported on their communication quality around four topics: finances, children, racial discrimination, and kinfolk. Results indicated that communication quality significantly differed across topics. Communication quality was lowest for finances and kinfolk, significantly higher when discussing problems with children, and highest when discussing racial discrimination. Moreover, communication quality when discussing finances, kinfolk, and racial discrimination each uniquely predicted relationship satisfaction, even after controlling for each other and for general communication skills. Experiencing more stress around finances and children was associated with poorer communication quality in the focal area (and for financial stress, in some other communication topics as well), whereas the extent of racial discrimination was not significantly associated with communication quality for any topic. These findings reveal significant variability in couples' communication across topics and demonstrate that considering communication for different topics can offer unique information about couples' relationship satisfaction beyond general communication skills. Further research examining topic-specific communication quality may enhance understanding of and interventions for couples' communication. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Similar articles
-
When poor communication does and does not matter: The moderating role of stress.J Fam Psychol. 2020 Sep;34(6):676-686. doi: 10.1037/fam0000643. Epub 2020 Feb 20. J Fam Psychol. 2020. PMID: 32077736 Free PMC article.
-
Racial discrimination and parenting perceptions among low-income Black couples.J Fam Psychol. 2024 Feb 29. doi: 10.1037/fam0001207. Online ahead of print. J Fam Psychol. 2024. PMID: 38421762
-
It Takes Two: Sexual Communication Patterns and the Sexual and Relational Adjustment of Couples Coping With Provoked Vestibulodynia.J Sex Med. 2017 Mar;14(3):434-443. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.01.009. Epub 2017 Feb 8. J Sex Med. 2017. PMID: 28189562
-
Sensory loss and its consequences for couples' psychosocial and relational wellbeing: an integrative review.Aging Ment Health. 2017 Apr;21(4):337-347. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2015.1132675. Epub 2016 Jan 7. Aging Ment Health. 2017. PMID: 26739709 Review.
-
Dyadic coping and relationship functioning in couples coping with cancer: a systematic review.Br J Health Psychol. 2015 Feb;20(1):85-114. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12094. Epub 2014 Mar 15. Br J Health Psychol. 2015. PMID: 24628822 Review.
References
-
- Achenbach TM (1991). Manual for the child behavior checklist/4–18 and 1991 profile. University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
-
- Barton AW, Beach SR, Wells AC, Ingels JB, Corso PS, Sperr MC, Anderson TN, & Brody GH (2018). The Protecting Strong African American Families program: A randomized controlled trial with rural African American couples. Prevention Science, 19(7), 904–913. 10.1007/s11121-018-0895-4 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
-
- Baucom DH, Fischer MS, Corrie S, Worrell M, & Boeding SE (2020). Treating relationship distress and psychopathology in couples: A cognitive-behavioural approach. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
-
- Bryant CM, Wickrama K, Bolland J, Bryant BM, Cutrona CE, & Stanik CE (2010). Race matters, even in marriage: Identifying factors linked to marital outcomes for African Americans. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 2(3), 157–174. 10.1111/j.1756-2589.2010.00051.x - DOI
MeSH terms
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources