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THE INFLUENCE OF INCOMING SUBJECT VARIABLES ON CHANGE IN A MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PSYCHOLOGICAL TYPE, CONFLICT, COUPLE COMMUNICATION)
Abstract
This study examined several variables that individuals bring into a marriage enrichment program and their relationship to the direction and degree of change experienced. Several variables were identified in the literature that could influence the kinds of change an individual experiences: personality type, relationship style, sex, incoming relationship strength, and incoming expectations. There were 116 individuals (58 couples) who participated in one of three weekend marriage enrichment seminars involving 12 hours of actual instruction. The study utilized a pre-, post-, and one-month follow-up design to test the null hypotheses: (a) there will be no significant difference in personality types of individuals who volunteer for a marriage enrichment program when compared to a norm group; there will be no significant relationship between (b) incoming personality types and response to the treatment; (c) incoming relationship styles and response to the treatment; (d) sex and response to the treatment; (e) incoming marital strength and response to the treatment; and (f) incoming expectations and response to the treatment. The personality type preferences of the participants was determined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The relationship style was determined by the Relationship Style Inventory (RSI). The incoming relationship strength was determined by both the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and the Marital Happiness Scale (MHS). The DAS and MHS were also used at posttest and follow-up to determine the direction and degree of change. The participant's level of incoming expectations was determined by the Oliver Expectations Inventory (OEI). The results indicated (a) a significant difference in the personality types that volunteered for the marriage enrichment seminar compared to the norm group; (b) a significant relationship between incoming relationship styles and response to the treatment; and (c) no significant relationship between personality type and treatment, sex and response to treatment, incoming relationship strength and response to treatment, and incoming level of expectations and response to treatment. One additional finding was that the program had a significant effect across time regardless of incoming subject variables.
Subject Area
Psychology
Recommended Citation
OLIVER, GARY JACKSON, "THE INFLUENCE OF INCOMING SUBJECT VARIABLES ON CHANGE IN A MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PSYCHOLOGICAL TYPE, CONFLICT, COUPLE COMMUNICATION)" (1984). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8509871.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8509871