evidence shows that AUSTRALIAN Devitalised COUPLEs couples are more self-confident that their US counterparts
PREPARE/ENRICH research has found that satisfied couples tend to score high in assertiveness and self-confidence, and low in avoidance and partner dominance. Conversely, the tendency for unsatisfied couples is for one or both individuals to be low in assertiveness and self-confidence, and high in avoidance and partner dominance.
PREPARE/ENRICH measures two components of overall satisfaction:
Individual Satisfaction: Scores based on the average of each person’s Individual Scores across the core relationship categories: Communication; Conflict Resolution; Partner Styles and Habits; Financial Management; Leisure Activities; Sexual Expectations; Family and Friends; Relationship Roles and Spiritual Beliefs.
Couple Satisfaction: Scores based on the average of the couple’s Positive Couple Agreement (PCA) scores across the core relationship categories.
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, the chart indicates that 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.
At the opposite extreme with Devitalised couples, we see the opposite pattern related to these four variables. On assertiveness, Devitalised couples were low on average however, for Australian couples average scores were mid-steam on Self-Confidence indicating that Australian Devitalised couples are more self-confident that their US counterparts. Devitalised couples were both high on avoidance and high in 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