Skip to main content
Log in

Couples’ Communication as a Predictor of Marital Satisfaction Among Selected Filipino Couples

  • Research in Progress
  • Published:
Psychological Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigated the relation between couples’ communication and marital satisfaction and the possible predictive influence of communication on the marital satisfaction among selected couples of Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The study was conducted among 82 married couples, and the results showed a significantly positive relationship between couples’ communication and marital satisfaction. Relational Communication Scale and Primary Communication Inventory were used to measure the couples’ communication, while Dyadic Adjustment Scale and Locke–Wallace Marital Adjustment Test were used to measure the marital satisfaction among the couples. A regression analysis of the data significantly showed that 90.4% of variance in marital satisfaction can be accounted for by couples’ communication. The results carry clear and meaningful implications for the role of couples’ communication in building and maintaining happy and satisfying marital relationship. This correlational and predictive study was undertaken to explore the need as well as the scope of a couples’ communication program for enhancing marital satisfaction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmadi, F. S., Zarei, E., & Fallahchai, S. R. (2014). The effectiveness of emotionally-focussed couple therapy in resolution of marital conflicts between the couples who visited the consultation centers. Journal of Educational and Management Studies, 4(1), 118–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azeez, A. E. P. (2013). Employed women and marital satisfaction: A study among female nurses. International Journal of Management and Social Sciences Research, 2(11), 17–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bodenmann, G., Bradbury, T. N., & Pihet, S. (2009). Relative contributions of treatment-related changes in communication skills and dyadic coping skills to the longitudinal course of marriage in the framework of marital distress prevention. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 50(1), 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burgoon, J. K., & Hale, J. L. (1987). Validation and measurement of the fundamental themes of relational communication. Communications Monographs, 54(1), 19–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chakkyath, W. (2013). Effectiveness of a integrative positive intervention program in the enrichment of marital relationship among married couples (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.

  • Crane, D. R., Middleton, K. C., & Bean, R. A. (2000). Establishing criterion scores for Kansas marital Satisfaction Scale and the revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 28(1), 53–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finchem, F. D., & Beach, S. R. H. (2010). Of memes and marriage: Toward a positive relationship science. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 2(1), 4–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finkel, E. J., Slotter, E. B., Luchies, L. B., Walton, G. M., & Gross, J. J. (2013). A brief intervention to promote conflict reappraisal preserves marital quality. Psychological Science,. doi:10.1177/0956797612474938.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottman, J. M., Carrere, S., Swanson, C., & Coan, J. (2000). Reply to “From basic research to intervention”. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(1), 265–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imhonde, H. O., Aluede, O., & Ifunanyachukwu, N. R. (2008). Effective communication, education qualification and age as determinants of marital satisfaction among newly wedded-couples in a Nigerian University. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 5(5), 433–437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khajeh, A., Goodarzi, M., & Soleimani, F. (2014). The relationship of psychological well-being with marital quality and the dimensions of the married students. Indian Journal of Science Reseasrch, 7(1), 534–538.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raeisipoor, Z., Fallahchai, R., & Zarei, E. (2012). The study of adult attachment styles, communication patterns, and marital satisfaction. Journal of Life Science & Biomedicine, 3(1), 64–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reporter, M. O. (2015). There really is a thing as wedded bliss: Married couples are happier than singles says new study following benefits of matrimony. National Bureau of Economic Research, Canada. Retrieved from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2904986.

  • Rhodes, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Markman, H. J. (2009). Couples’ reasons for cohabitation: Associations with individual well-being and relationship quality. Journal of Family Issues, 30(2), 233–258. doi:10.1177/0192513X08324288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, B. W., Kuncel, N. R., Shiner, R., Caspi, A., & Goldberg, L. R. (2007). The power of personality: The comparitive validity of personality traits, socio-economic status and cognitive ability for predicting important life outcomes. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2(4), 313–345.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sandhya, S. (2009). The Social context of marital happiness in urban Indian couples: Interplay of intimacy and conflict. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 35(1), 74–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soltani, A., Molazadeh, J., Mahmoodi, M., & Hosseini, S. (2013). A Study on the effectiveness of Emotional Focused Couple Therapy on intimacy of couples. Procedia-Social & Behavioral Sciences, 82(3), 461–465. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spanier, G. B. (1976). Measuring Dyadic Adjustment: New scales for assessing quality of marriage and similar dyads. Journal of Marriage and Family, 38(1), 15–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whisman, M. A., Snyder, D. K., & Beach, S. R. H. (2009). Screening for marital relationship discord. Journal of Family Psychology, 23(2), 247–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whisman, M. A., & Uebelacker, L. A. (2006). Impairment and distress associated with relationship discord in a national sample of married or cohabiting adults. Journal of Family Psychology, 20(3), 369–377.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wunderer, E., & Schneewind, K. A. (2008). The relationship between marital standards, dyadic coping and marital satisfaction. European Journal of Social Psychology, 38(3), 462–476. doi:10.1002/ejsp.405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yalcin, M. B., & Karahan, T. F. (2007). Effects of a couple communication program on marital adjustment. JABFM, 20(1), 36–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joshy Jacob Vazhappilly.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Vazhappilly, J.J., Reyes, M.E.S. Couples’ Communication as a Predictor of Marital Satisfaction Among Selected Filipino Couples. Psychol Stud 61, 301–306 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-016-0375-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-016-0375-5

Keywords

Navigation