evidence shows that AUSTRALIAN COUPLEs are on average, high in assertiveness and self-confidence and low in avoidance and partner dominance
Based on research, PREPARE/ENRICH has discovered that there is a positive cycle linking assertiveness and self-confidence and a negative cycle linking avoidance and perceived dominance.
Using a sample of 41,098 individuals (20,549 couples) who took the PREPARE/ENRICH Inventory in Australia between 2012 and 2019, an analysis was done using the four relationship dynamics scales and marital satisfaction. The average scores of these five scales are summarised below:
For Australia couples, measured over the past 8 years, vitalised couples had the highest average score (66.1) of couples where both partners were high in assertiveness, both high in self-confidence (65.5), both low (11) in avoidance and both low (10.9) in partner dominance.
At the opposite extreme, devitalised couples saw the opposite pattern related to these four variables. On assertiveness, devitalised couples were low on average (31.3) however, for Australian couples average scores were mid-steam on Self-Confidence (53), indicating that Australian devitalised couples are more self-confident that their US counterparts. Devitalised couples were both high on avoidance (66.7) and high in partner dominance (78.4).
Individuals who are vitalised tend to be high in assertiveness and self-confidence and low in avoidance and partner dominance. Individuals who are assertive also tend to be self-confident and individuals who are avoidant tend to perceive higher partner dominance. Individuals who are high on assertiveness and self-confidence tend to be low on avoidance and partner dominance.
In the positive cycle, as a person uses more assertiveness, their level of self-confidence tends to increase. As a person’s self-confidence increases, their willingness and ability to be more assertive increases.
In the negative cycle, when one person perceives their partner as dominating, a common reaction is for that person to avoid dealing with issues. As a person uses more avoidance, they will often perceive more dominance in their partner.
There is a positive cycle between Assertiveness and Self Confidence and a negative cycle between Avoidance and Partner Dominance.
Tune in next week for more tips and learnings and the value of knowing and using The Relationship Dynamics section of PREPARE/ENRICH.
Marriage and Relationship Education is a learning opportunity, much like you would do in any other important life event. Check out the video for couples on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xyuUl-JnIhM.
Tune in next week for more discussion about relationships and mental health.
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Written by Shane Smith