The effects of participant monitoring and feedback on marital interaction and satisfaction

Abstract

The effects of participant monitoring of spouse behaviors, with and without feedback to the spouse were evaluated on measures of marital satisfaction and interaction. Three groups of eight couples participated in the study; half of the couples in each group were classified as maritally adjusted and half as maladjusted on the basis of the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test. A no-treatment control group, participant monitoring of positive behaviors emitted by the spouse, and participant monitoring plus immediate verbal feedback between spouses concerning monitored behaviors were compared. No significant effects on marital satisfaction were found for repeated administration of the dependent measures or of participant monitoring alone. Compared to the control group, participant monitoring plus spouse feedback was associated with significantly greater increases in daily satisfaction with the marital partner and spouse and a significant increase in the rate of emitted spouse pleasurable behaviors.