Subjektiv eingeschätzte partnerschaftliche Kommunikationsqualität in fünf Alterskohorten

Abstract

Even though communication plays an important role in marital research, only few studies have thus far analysed the frequency of self-perceived positive and negative communication in close relationships. In addition, not many studies investigated differences in communication in young, middle aged and aged couples. This study is one of the first to examine the frequency of self-perceived positive and negative interaction in an epidemiological approach with regard to age and gender. The sample consists of 2235 married subjects between 30 to 80 years old. The results of this study reveal that women reported more positive interaction behavior than men. Furthermore, we found that older couples reported less negative interaction behavior. In terms of coping with stress within the couple, we identified lower scores of dyadic coping in elderly compared to younger subjects. The findings are discussed with regard to their practical and therapeutical significance in the work with aged couples.