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The Effectiveness of Communication Skills Training With Married Couples: Does the Issue Discussed Matter?

Western Michigan University, cornelta{at}gvsu.edu

Galen Alessi

Western Michigan University

Ryan C. Shorey

Grand Valley State University

This study experimentally examines the speaker-listener technique on marital satisfaction and communication behaviors when couples (N = 30) were instructed to either discuss an issue within or outside the marriage on marital satisfaction and communication behaviors. This study was based the Gottman et al. hypothesis that the speaker-listener technique would lead to improved marital satisfaction when the couple is discussing a third-party issue, but discussing an issue about each other would weaken the marital relationship. A series of analyses of covariance were conducted on these data, and no differences were found between the two groups on their self-reported marital satisfaction or communication skills behaviors, which were not support the Gottman et al. hypothesis. Possible interpretations of these data and areas for further investigation are suggested.

Key Words: marital communication • communication skills training • speaker-listener technique • quantitative research

The Family Journal, Vol. 15, No. 2, 124-132 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1066480706297971


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