Improving Dyadic Coping in Couples With a Stress-Oriented Approach

Abstract

This study sought to assess the effectiveness of a marital distress prevention program for couples by examining how marital quality, especially marital competencies such as dyadic coping, could be improved by means of a prevention program focusing on the enhancement of coping resources (Couples Coping Enhancement Training). The study consisted of 59 couples in the intervention group and 59 couples in the matched comparison group. The results reveal that it is possible to improve marital quality, especially marital competencies, by means of one short-term intervention lasting 18 hr. However, the effects decreased after 2 years, raising the importance of booster sessions in helping to maintain effects over a longer period of time.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Relationship Education in the U.S. Army: 2‐Year Outcomes

“…This pattern could reflect decay in preventive effects, as has been observed in other CRE studies with longer-term follow-ups (e.g., Bodenmann, Pihet, Shantinath, Cina, & Widmer, 2006). Meta-analyses have also demonstrated some evidence of decay in relationship quality impacts; however, the matter is quite difficult to assess because few studies in this field have follow-ups past one year (Hawkins et al, 2008).…”

Can prevention of marital distress improve well‐being? A 1 year longitudinal study

“…Another limitation of the present study is that it relies on self-report data, which may be influenced by the expectations of change of couples who took part in the intervention. Previous results regarding coping competencies did not support this hypothesis, since similar results have been observed for data relying on self-report and on hetero-report by the partner Bodenmann et al, 2006). And further analysis of videotaped interactions that are currently being made will allow to shed more light on this question.…”

“…It is particularly noteworthy that not only marital satisfaction and competencies tackled by the program can be improved by means of a course lasting only 18 hours in a group setting (see Bodenmann et al, 2006), but also that changes can be achieved regarding the psychological well-being of both partners, which is, after 1 year, obviously better in the intervention group. Focusing on individual and dyadic coping competencies yields very promising results, which cannot be achieved with programs limited to communication training (e.g., Halford et al, 1996;van Widenfelt et al, 1996).…”

Three Models of Clergy Systems: Analysis of Couple Processes and Spiritual Meaning

“…Family functioning and stress coping research has increasingly focused on dyadic coping skills as opposed to individual coping skills (e.g., Bodenmann et al 2006;Ledermann et al 2007). Marital competencies associated with family functioning such as stress communication, empathy and understanding, sensitivity, the ability to detect inequality and dependence, and problem-solving have been found to correlate with improved global marital quality, less quarreling and negative dyadic coping, and an increase in common dyadic coping.…”