Thomas B. Holman

Hostile, volatile, avoiding, and validating couple‐conflict types: An investigation of Gottman's couple‐conflict types

Using two very different sets of survey data, we investigated Gottmans (1994a, 1999) observational findings regarding couple-conflict types. We hypothesized that defensible couple-conflict types could be established using survey data based on an individuals perception of the style he or she uses in couple-conflict situations. Furthermore, we hypothesized that membership type would be related to relationship quality indicators such as satisfaction, stability, communication processes, and affect regulation. Our results showed that survey data can reliably produce couple-conflict types similar to Gottman’s. We further found that, on satisfaction, stability, positive communication, and soothing, hostile couple-conflict types had the lowest mean scores and validating couple-conflict types the highest mean scores. The types related in the opposite manner to negative communication, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and flooding. The other couple-conflict-type means - volatile and avoiding - are almost always between the extreme means of the hostile and validating couple-conflict types. Implications for research and practice conclude the article.

Couple relationship education at home: does skill training enhance relationship assessment and feedback?

To evaluate the effective components of couple relationship education, 59 newlywed couples were randomly assigned to one of two couple relationship programs (CRE): (1) RELATE, which involved receiving feedback on their relationship based on the on-line RELATE assessment; or (2) RELATE + Couple CARE, which was RELATE plus completing the 6 unit Couple CARE relationship skill training program. Relative to RELATE, RELATE + Couple CARE produced more improvement in couple communication, and high relationship satisfaction across the next 12 months in women. Men sustained high and similar relationship satisfaction in either condition. Skill training CRE has additional benefits for couples beyond assessment and feedback.

Childhood Sexual Abuse, Other Childhood Factors, and Pathways to Survivors’ Adult Relationship Quality

We were interested in understanding how the effects of childhood sexual abuse, in concert with other negative childhood experiences, were carried forward into adult romantic relationships. Data from 15,831 married or cohabitating individuals were gathered via the RELATE Questionnaire. Empirical research, attachment theory, and a general model of adult relationship quality suggested that the path from negative childhood events to adult relationship quality was mediated by a number of individual and relational affect-laden variables. Results showed that childhood abuse and other family-of-origin variables work primarily through the adult survivor’s perceptions of the events of his or her childhood. This “current impact” variable, along with the current level of depression, work through an emotion-laden relationship variable—level of emotional flooding during couple conflict—to influence the relationship quality outcome variable. Treatment implications are discussed.

Perceived Match or Mismatch on the Gottman Conflict Styles: Associations with Relationship Outcome Variables

Gottman has proposed that there are 3 functional styles of conflict management in couple relationships, labeled Avoidant, Validating, and Volatile, and 1 dysfunctional style, labeled Hostile. Using a sample of 1,983 couples in a committed relationship, we test the association of perceived matches or mismatches on these conflict styles with relationship outcome variables. The results indicate that 32% of the participants perceive there is a mismatch with their conflict style and that of their partner. The Volatile-Avoidant mismatch was particularly problematic and was associated with more stonewalling, relationship problems, and lower levels of relationship satisfaction and stability than the Validating matched style and than other mismatched styles. The most problematic style was the Hostile style. Contrary to existing assumptions by Gottman, the 3 matched functional styles were not equivalent, as the Validating Style was associated with substantially better results on relationship outcome measures than the Volatile and Avoidant styles.

The Influence of Community Involvement on Marital Quality.

It has recently been proposed that community involvement is related to marital quality in a positive, linear fashion. This paper proposes that community involvement has a curvilinear influence on marital quality, with quality being the highest at an intermediate level of involvement, and the lowest at the extremes of low and high involvement. It is shown that empirical data on specific indicators of community involvement primarily support the curvilinear relationship. It is further proposed that it is useful to view the curvilinear relationship between community involvement and marital quality as a specific instance of more general theoretical ideas, such as the Aristotelian Golden Mean and propositions in exchange and field theory.

Locating the big five personality factors in the relate relationship evaluation measures.

Factor analyses of data from 400 students who completed the adjective section of the Relate relationship evaluation and similar descriptors from the measure of the “big five” factors of personality by Digman and Inouye indicated that all of the “big five” measures, surgency, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness, can be assessed as part of the Relate assessment.

Family-of-Origin, Differentiation of Self and Partner, and Adult Romantic Relationship Quality

Bowens family systems theory posits the importance of differentiation of self for functioning in adult romantic/marital relationships. His theory suggests that adults enter into marriages and marriage-like relationships with a basic level of differentiation of self developed largely in the parental home and this level of differentiation affects relationship quality. However, there has been limited research on these propositions. Therefore, we examine these ideas by hypothesizing that (a) a complex relationship exists between family-of-origin variables as they influence adult romantic relationship quality, (b) differentiation from negative family-of-origin processes is one means whereby the past carries forward into the present, (c) there is a actor-partner effect of differentiation of self on each partners relationship quality, and (d) that gender differences are expected. We tested an SEM model with data from the RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE) (N = 1,839 couples). Results support the hypotheses and suggest the usefulness of Bowens theory for understanding how family-of-origin processes from both partners carry forward via differentiation of self into adult relationship quality. Therapeutic implications and research needs are articulated.

Immediate Effect of Couple Relationship Education on Low-Satisfaction Couples: A Randomized Clinical Trial Plus an Uncontrolled Trial Replication

Couple relationship education (RE) usually is conceived of as relationship enhancement for currently satisfied couples, with a goal of helping couples sustain satisfaction. However, RE also might be useful as a brief, accessible intervention for couples with low satisfaction. Two studies were conducted that tested whether couples with low relationship satisfaction show meaningful gains after RE. Study 1 was a three-condition randomized controlled trial in which 182 couples were randomly assigned to RELATE with Couple CARE (RCC), a flexible delivery education program for couples, or one of two control conditions. Couples with initially low satisfaction receiving RCC showed a moderate increase in relationship satisfaction (d=0.50) relative to the control. In contrast, couples initially high in satisfaction showed little change and there was no difference between RCC and the control conditions. Study 2 was an uncontrolled trial of the Couple Coping Enhancement Training (CCET) administered to 119 couples. Couples receiving CCET that had initially low satisfaction showed a moderate increase in satisfaction (g=.44), whereas initially highly satisfied couples showed no change. Brief relationship education can assist somewhat distressed couples to enhance satisfaction, and has potential as a cost-effective way of enhancing the reach of couple interventions.

The Relationship Between Coming to Terms With Family-of-Origin Difficulties and Adult Relationship Satisfaction

This study investigated whether coming to terms with or resolving difficult family-of-origin experiences enhances adult childrens ability to create satisfying relationships. Analysis of 6,423 couples who completed the RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE) indicated participants who reported either healthier family-of-origin experiences or who had come to terms with difficulties from their families-of-origin had higher relationship satisfaction than those who reported unhealthy family-of-origin experiences and had not come to terms with them. A variety of coping strategies for coming to terms with family-of-origin difficulties were identified, including those that reduce mood disorders and affect dysregulation. Implications for clinicians are discussed.

Predicting alcohol use among young adults

Factors influencing alcohol use among young people were studied using a questionnaire administered in Oklahoma and Wisconsin to 257 single males and 358 single females between the ages of 17-24. Predictors were broken down into the sets of demographics, family, religion, peer behavioral standards, approval of deviance, value of love and pleasure, and sex role variables. It was hypothesized that the predictors for alcohol use in males would differ from that of females. Data were analyzed separately for both male and female subjects. The multiple regression analysis found that the blocks of demographics, religion, peer behavioral standards, and approval of deviance were positive predictors for the use of alcohol in both males and females. The blocks, value of love and pleasure, and sex role variables were not found to be predictors of alcohol use in both males and females. Block number two (family) was found to be a predictor for females use of alcohol but not for males.