Therapeutically induced changes in couple identity: the role of we-ness and interpersonal processing in relationship satisfaction.
Changes in partners' sense of self-in-relationship, which a systemic-constructivist couple therapy (SCCT) induced, led to robust improvement in satisfaction in 2 studies and a follow-up study. In each study, 13 referred couples completed measures of satisfaction, mutuality, similarities, and other-in-self construal pre-post 12 hours of SCCT. The authors reliably coded transcripts of 1st and final sessions for each partner's we-ness, the identity that each partner establishes in relationship to the other. Having met the criteria for the rigorous study of change in single group process-outcome design, changes in we-ness accompanied large posttherapy dyadic increments on all variables in each study. Therapeutic gains appeared at follow-up and correlated with increased we-ness obtained at end of therapy 2 years earlier. The authors raise theoretical implications for all types of couple therapies and explain clinical techniques.
Reid
David W
DW
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. dreid@yorku.ca
Dalton
E Jane
EJ
Laderoute
Kristine
K
Doell
Faye K
FK
Nguyen
Thao
T
D000328:Adult; D019546:Couples Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011586:Psychology, Clinical; D012649:Self Concept; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*