How Couples Maintain Marriages: A Closer Look at Self and Spouse Influences upon the Use of Maintenance Behaviors in Marriages

Abstract

Couples use maintenance behaviors ensure the continuation of valued relationships. In this study, we extended previous research on relational maintenance in marriage by examining the role of both self and cross-spouse associations in the use of maintenance behaviors. Structural equation modeling using data collected from 129 married couples indicated that for wives, both self-perception of marital quality and cross-spouse perceptions, especially husbands' satisfaction, were related wives' use of maintenance behaviors. However, husband.s' use of maintenance behaviors had only a few associations with self or partner perceptions of marital quality. Results of the study were discussed in terms of their implications for family practitioners working with married couples. Key Words: commitment, interdependence, love, maintenance behaviors, satisfaction. Family practitioners and educators are frequently asked what couples can do sustain and enrich marriages. Although the popular literature is ripe with to prescriptions, research aimed at gaining a better understanding of how couples maintain healthy, happy marriages is critical. Over the years a wealth of relationship behaviors and variables have been proposed as important in making for strong, stable marriages. For example, behaviors such as self disclosure, intimacy, togetherness, communication, sexual intimacy, and equality have all been touted as instrumental in creating greater relationship quality (Dindia, 1994; Lewis & Spanier, 1979; Noller & Fitzpatrick, 1990). Too often in past research, however, the marital relationship has been studied from the perspective of either the wife or the husband. For example, a wife might be asked her perceptions of the marriage, and based upon her responses, researchers would make general statements about the nature of the marital relationship. Relationships, as Kenny (1996) points out, are two-sided. One's perceptions and behaviors are not independent from one's spouse, rather they are interdependent. To create a more accurate picture of the marriage, it becomes important for researchers study the relationship from the interrelated perspectives of both wives and husbands. The advantage of collecting couple data is that both self and cross-spouse influences upon behavior can be examined. For example, researchers can not only determine the effects of a husband's perceptions on what he does maintain his marriage, but also the effect of his wives' perceptions upon his use of maintenance behaviors. This possibility generates a much more powerful and complete picture of how couples maintain their marriages. In this study we use data from married couples examine the role of self and cross-spouse influences on the use of maintenance behaviors. Such information can help researchers better understand the dynamics within marriages and help practitioners work with couples build stronger, more vital marriages. Relational Maintenance Behaviors During the past decade, several researchers have focused their attention on a special group of interactional behaviors called relationship maintenance behaviors, those behaviors that function preserve ongoing relationships. Stafford (1994) describes relational maintenance as behaviors designed ensure the continuation of valued relationships through the prevention of their decline, through their enhancement, or through their repair and re-establishment. The use of maintenance behaviors has been connected with perceptions of relational equity, control and liking (Canary & Stafford, 1992), relational development (Guerrero, Eloy, & Wabnik, 1993), affinity seeking (Bell, Daly, & Gonzalez, 1987), and the resolution of dialectical tensions (Baxter & Dindia, 1990). A number of typologies of specific relationship maintenance behaviors have been developed, but perhaps the most widely recognized is the typology developed by Canary and Stafford (1992). …