Self-Disclosure Between Marital Couples: A Comparative Study Between Singapore and Greek Couples

Abstract

This study explored the effects of spousal and self-disclosure on perceived marital satisfaction among Greek and Singaporean couples. The sample included 77 Singaporean couples and 116 Greek couples. APIM and multi-group modeling techniques were applied simultaneously. Results indicated that wife’s and husband’s self-disclosure were similarly able to predict their own marital satisfaction for both countries. Partner effects were different within and between the groups. With Singaporean couples, wife’s self-disclosure was significantly related to husband’s marital satisfaction, but husband’s self-disclosure did not influence wife’s satisfaction. Interestingly, the opposite pattern was revealed with Greek couples. Gender differences in self-disclosure were also examined.

The Key Role of Vulnerability in Developing Authentic Connections in Romantic Relationships

“…Reviewed articles have used quantitative methods, such as surveys and questionnaires (e.g., Gubbins et al 2010;Quek et al, 2015). Whereas qualitative methods have also been used for data collection to gain insights on how people respond and express themselves in relationships.…”

“…4), show up in relationships, take initiatives, freely share thoughts, emotions, and feelings without worrying about the consequences with an intention to connect and hope for it to be received. Many studies have used the term "selfdisclosure" to explain this phenomenon of vulnerability in bits and pieces (e.g., Welker et al, 2014;Quek et al, 2015). Much research has concluded self-disclosure as a powerful communication tool to nourish and enhance emotional intimacy and satisfaction in any relationship (Collin & miller, 1994;Prager et al, 2013).…”

“…Communication through self-disclosure has been studied broadly as a bilateral dialogue exchange between a partner who discloses (discloser) and a partner who responds (responder). Many studies have concluded that when couples engage in reciprocal communication it is likely for them to feel deeply connected because it promotes intimacy and interdependent relatedness (Cag & Yildirim, 2018;Quek et al, 2015;Prager et al, 2013). Therefore, Intimate responsiveness is associated with greater satisfaction in relationships (Welker et al, 2014).…”

“…Research on self-disclosure has significantly focused upon gender differences (e.g., Cag & Yildirim, 2018;Quek et al, 2015). It has been found in research that women get affected by the level of partner disclosure (low, high, or moderate) which is not the case for men (Rosenfeld & Bowen, 1991).…”

“…One study (Louise et al, 1991) found that married women often complain about their spouses' restraint from self-expression which increases their doubt towards relational intimacy level. Another study evaluated the results based on the data collected from Singaporean and Greek couples (Quek et al, 2015) to which they concluded that among Greek couple's wife cares more about husbands' self-disclosure than men for their wives, whereas in Singaporean couples' women use more of indirect or coated communication style to resolve any issues, which further blocks clear and open interaction leading to the risk of negative consequences commonly perceived as relational threat. Similarly, in another study (Millar & Millar, 1988) they found that women who perceived less self-disclosure from their husbands were low on a satisfactory scale in their marriage leading to conflicts.…”