The longitudinal association between attributions and marital satisfaction: Direction of effects and role of efficacy expectations.

Abstract

This study investigated the direction of possible causal effects between attributions for negative partner behavior and marital satisfaction and tested whether any effects are mediated by efficacy expectations regarding marital conflict. Couples married for 15-20 months completed measures of attribution and satisfaction at Time 1 and at Time 3 (18 months later). At Time 2 (6 months after Time 1) they completed a measure of efficacy expectations. For both husbands and wives, a cross-lagged effects model showed that the paths from causal attributions to later satisfaction and from satisfaction to later causal attributions were significant. Efficacy expectations mediated the temporal relation between attributions and satisfaction. These findings support the assumption that there is a reciprocal causal influence between attributions and satisfaction but suggest important modifications to models of close relationships and marital therapy.

Problem-Solving Behaviors in College Relationships

“…Participants responded to items on a seven-point Likert scale (e.g., "I have little control over the conflicts that occur between my partner and I"), ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (7), with higher scores indicating greater relationship efficacy. Cronbach's alpha for the present study was .82, compared to scores of .87 and .90 obtained by Fincham, Harold, and Gano-Phillips (2000) for men and women, respectively.…”

“…Relationship efficacy seems to mediate the effects of attributions on relationship satisfaction (Fincham et al, 2000). In other words, people who perceive negative partner behavior to be character-based, intentional, and damaging to the relationship report feeling less confident in their ability to resolve future problems, and report less satisfaction with their relationships.…”

“…Specifically, blaming the partner for the negative behavior, viewing the behavior as unchanging, and emphasizing its impact on the relationship have been associated with low relationship satisfaction. There is also evidence of a reciprocal relationship between positive attributions and relationship satisfaction, suggesting that satisfaction with the relationship can alter the perceiver's attributions (Fincham et al, 2000). Distressed couples are more likely than non-distressed couples to use negative attributions to account for their partners' behavior, which often leads to conflict escalation and increased aggression between partners (Fincham, Beach, & Nelson, 1987).…”

“…Partner attributions and relationship efficacy contribute to each of these processes, respectively, and when individuals perceive problems to be caused by situational factors rather than personal faults, and believe that they are able to resolve them, they generally demonstrate effective conflict resolution behaviors and report satisfaction with the relationship (Fincham & Bradbury, 1987;Fincham et al, 2000).…”

“…In the original study (Fincham & Bradbury, 1992), each separate dimension of partner attribution produced alpha scores greater than .70. (Fincham et al, 2000; Appendix C) evaluated the extent to which individuals believe they can resolve problems and interpersonal conflict within their romantic relationships. Participants responded to items on a seven-point Likert scale (e.g., "I have little control over the conflicts that occur between my partner and I"), ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (7), with higher scores indicating greater relationship efficacy.…”