title: Desired change in couples: gender differences and effects on communication.
abstract: Using a sample (N = 453) drawn from a representative sampling frame of couples who are married or living together and have a 3 to 7 year-old child, this study investigates (a) the amount and specific areas of change desired by men and women, (b) the relation between relationship adjustment and desired change; and (c) the ways in which partners negotiate change. On the Areas of Change Questionnaire, women compared with men, wanted greater increases in their partners' emotional and companionate behaviors, instrumental support, and parenting involvement; men wanted greater increases in sex. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (Kenny, 1996), both men's and women's relationship adjustment predicted desired change (i.e., actor effects), over and above the effects of their partners' adjustment (i.e., partner effects); partner effects were not significant. Each couple was also observed discussing the man's and the woman's top desired change area. Both men and women behaved more positively during the partner-initiated conversations than during their own-initiated conversations. Women, compared with men, were more negative in their own and in their partners' conversations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA. Richard.Heyman@Stonybrook.edu
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Heyman
authors.forename: Ashley N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Hunt-Martorano
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Amy M Smith
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Slep
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019260:Expressed Emotion; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017008:Negotiating; D011340:Problem Solving
references.citation: Behav Res Ther. 1995 Jul;33(6):737-46
references.pmid: 7654167
references.citation: Psychol Assess. 2002 Dec;14(4):423-38
references.pmid: 12501568
references.citation: Fam Process. 1995 Sep;34(3):303-21
references.pmid: 8582477
references.citation: Psychol Assess. 2001 Mar;13(1):5-35
references.pmid: 11281039
references.citation: J Pers Soc Psychol. 1990 Jul;59(1):73-81
references.pmid: 2213491
references.citation: J Pers Soc Psychol. 1987 Jul;53(1):94-103
references.pmid: 3612495
references.citation: J Pers Soc Psychol. 1999 Sep;77(3):642-55
references.pmid: 10510513
references.citation: J Pers. 1991 Sep;59(3):575-607
references.pmid: 1960643
references.citation: J Consult Clin Psychol. 2005 Feb;73(1):15-27
references.pmid: 15709828
references.citation: J Consult Clin Psychol. 1993 Feb;61(1):16-27
references.pmid: 8450102