A Test of Contextual Theory: The Relationship Among Relational Ethics, Marital Satisfaction, Health Problems, and Depression

Abstract

Few studies have examined the theoretical underpinning of contextual theory. Using structural equation modeling, the relationship among relational ethics (recognized as the most important aspect of contextual theory), marital satisfaction, depression, and illness was examined. Data came from a national sample of 632 mid-life, married individuals. Results supported Nagy's contextual theory. The total score of the Relational Ethics Scale was a significant predictor of marital satisfaction, and marital satisfaction was significantly associated with depression and health problems. Vertical and horizontal subscales of relational ethics also were significant predictors of depression and health problems through the mediating variable of marital satisfaction.

Relational Ethics, Depressive Symptoms, and Relationship Satisfaction in Couples in Therapy

“…They postulated that individuals' experiences of relational ethics in their family of origin change upon entering committed relationships and continue to evolve with age. In a more recent study, (Grames et al., ) findings from a national sample of 632 married individuals indicated an association between relational ethics in family of origin and depression, with marital satisfaction acting as a mediating variable.…”

“…The idea of fairness or justice is central to the theory and is highlighted in the dimension of relational ethics (Boszormenyi‐Nagy & Krasner, ). Although a popular construct used by clinicians to treat various populations, relational ethics is less examined in research studies (Grames, Miller, Robinson, Higgins, & Hinton, ). The main objective of this study was to investigate the association between relational ethics and symptoms of depression and relationship satisfaction in a clinical sample of other‐sex couples.…”

Unfair to Me or Unfair to My Spouse: Men's and Women's Perceptions of Domestic Equity and How They Relate to Mental and Physical Health

“…Relational ethics refers to ''the balance of give and take that exists within relationships'' and suggests that if relationships are imbalanced, mental and physical health problems may arise (Grames, Miller, Robinson, Higgins, & Hinton, 2008, p. 184). That is, in imbalanced relationships, individuals may experience poorer mental health and a variety of physical health problems, including sexual malfunction, anorexia, diabetes, or heart conditions (Grames et al, 2008). In line with this, marital relationships where there is a perceived imbalance between husbands' and wives' contributions to household labor may be worse for one's mental and physical health than relationships characterized by a balance of give and take or compromise in household labor responsibilities.…”

“…Relational ethics suggests that when relationships are no longer characterized by balance and mutual compromise, individuals may experience physical health problems (Grames et al, 2008). Therefore, if an individual believes the division of household labor is unfair and imbalanced, he or she will likely experience negative physical health effects.…”

Social Uterus: A Developmental Concept in Family Therapy for Psychosomatic Disorders

“…Rather, we see historical patterns of family emotional functioning and particular patterns of separation difficulties as an important context for our understanding of both individual and family functioning, including their health conditions. Research provides some encouraging evidence of such interrelation that, at least partly, alleviates our concern about being inappropriately biased (Grames et al 2008;Klever 2003;Harvey et al 1991). Another supporting argument comes from Minuchin's et al (1975) research on psychosomatic families and his seminal concept of structural therapy.…”