title: Marital processes predictive of later dissolution: behavior, physiology, and health.
abstract: Seventy-three married couples were studied in 1983 and 1987. To identify marital processes associated with dissolution, a balance theory of marriage was used to generate 1 variable for dividing couples into regulated and nonregulated groups. For studying the precursors of divorce, a "cascade" model of marital dissolution, which forms a Guttman-like scale, received preliminary support. Compared with regulated couples, nonregulated couples had (a) marital problems rated as more severe (Time 1); (b) lower marital satisfaction (Time 1 and Time 2); (c) poorer health (Time 2); (d) smaller finger pulse amplitudes (wives); (e) more negative ratings for interactions; (f) more negative emotional expression; (g) less positive emotional expression; (h) more stubbornness and withdrawal from interaction; (i) greater defensiveness; and (j) greater risk for marital dissolution (lower marital satisfaction and higher incidence of consideration of dissolution and of actual separation).
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Department of Psychology, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gottman
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Levenson
mesh_terms: D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001290:Attitude; D004243:Divorce; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011336:Probability; D012737:Sex Factors