Dyadic coping and the significance of this concept for prevention and therapy

Abstract

This brief article aims to summarize the conceptual and clinical work done within the concept of dyadic coping by Bodenmann and colleagues at the Institute for Family Research and Counseling of the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). Apart from a new theoretical framework of dyadic coping, this group contributed to a better understanding of the role of dyadic coping for relationship functioning and well-being of the partners in many empirical studies. Based on these findings Bodenmann developed the Couples Coping Enhancement Traininig (CCET) that focuses on the enhancement of dyadic skills (among with dyadic coping play a crucial role). This program has been evaluated in several studies (randomized controlled trials and studies with matched samples) proving its efficacy.