A comparison of distressed and non distressed married couples on marital quality emotional intelligence and conflict resolution styles /
Title
A comparison of distressed and non distressed married couples on marital quality emotional intelligence and conflict resolution styles /
Subject
Psychology
Description
Aim: To compare and study the marital quality, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution styles of distressed and non-distressed married couples; and to examine the interrelationships between these variables. Method: The study utilized a cross sectional, between group, mixed method research design. The sample consisted of 43 heterosexual married couples (N=86) in non-clinical settings, in the age range of 20-60 years, living in Bangalore, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were
recruited through purposive/ snowball sampling. The participants were administered a demographic data sheet, the Marital Quality Scale (Shah, 1995), the Emotional Intelligence Scale (Schutte, Malouff, Hall, Haggerty, Cooper, & Golden, 1998), the Conflict Resolution Scale (Kurdek, 1994) and a Semi-structured Interview Schedule for qualitative data (prepared by the researcher). Quantitative and Qualitative analysis was carried out. The MQS cutoff score of 80 was used to divide the sample into distressed and nondistressed couples. Results: The two groups significantly differed on the conflict resolution styles. A significant relationship was found between marital quality and conflict resolution styles of distressed as well as non distressed group. There was a significant positive relationship between withdrawal as a
conflict resolution style and marital quality among distressed wives. Correlations between marital quality and conflict resolution styles among non-distressed couples showed that withdrawal had a significant positive relationship with the marital quality of the husband. From the correlation between the emotional intelligence and conflict resolution styles of
distressed couples, compliance had a significant positive relationship with the wife’s emotional intelligence. Among non-distressed wives conflictxii engagement was negatively correlated and positive problem solving was positively correlated with their emotional intelligence. Through the thematic analysis, multiple themes were identified as factors that are fundamental for a happy and long-term marriage and at the same time reveal the factors that can be detrimental to a successful marital
relationship. These themes, including the importance of emotional intelligence in marital quality and ways of conflict resolution were classified. The study has implications for clinical practice and marital research. The study findings can be used by counsellors and therapists in helping distressed couples, and for premarital counselling work with individuals and dating couples to improve the chances of their marital quality. The primary limitation of the study was its small sample size that limits the
ability to generalize the findings of the study. For future research a larger sample size can be considered to study the influence and impact in depth. The variables can be studied in different cultures to understand the cultural differences.
recruited through purposive/ snowball sampling. The participants were administered a demographic data sheet, the Marital Quality Scale (Shah, 1995), the Emotional Intelligence Scale (Schutte, Malouff, Hall, Haggerty, Cooper, & Golden, 1998), the Conflict Resolution Scale (Kurdek, 1994) and a Semi-structured Interview Schedule for qualitative data (prepared by the researcher). Quantitative and Qualitative analysis was carried out. The MQS cutoff score of 80 was used to divide the sample into distressed and nondistressed couples. Results: The two groups significantly differed on the conflict resolution styles. A significant relationship was found between marital quality and conflict resolution styles of distressed as well as non distressed group. There was a significant positive relationship between withdrawal as a
conflict resolution style and marital quality among distressed wives. Correlations between marital quality and conflict resolution styles among non-distressed couples showed that withdrawal had a significant positive relationship with the marital quality of the husband. From the correlation between the emotional intelligence and conflict resolution styles of
distressed couples, compliance had a significant positive relationship with the wife’s emotional intelligence. Among non-distressed wives conflictxii engagement was negatively correlated and positive problem solving was positively correlated with their emotional intelligence. Through the thematic analysis, multiple themes were identified as factors that are fundamental for a happy and long-term marriage and at the same time reveal the factors that can be detrimental to a successful marital
relationship. These themes, including the importance of emotional intelligence in marital quality and ways of conflict resolution were classified. The study has implications for clinical practice and marital research. The study findings can be used by counsellors and therapists in helping distressed couples, and for premarital counselling work with individuals and dating couples to improve the chances of their marital quality. The primary limitation of the study was its small sample size that limits the
ability to generalize the findings of the study. For future research a larger sample size can be considered to study the influence and impact in depth. The variables can be studied in different cultures to understand the cultural differences.
Creator
Mathew, Sheena - 0944202
Publisher
CHRIST (Deemed to be University)
Date
2014
Language
English
Type
PhD
Collection
Citation
Mathew, Sheena - 0944202, “A comparison of distressed and non distressed married couples on marital quality emotional intelligence and conflict resolution styles /,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed April 26, 2024, http://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/1810.