Self-Silencing, Communication Patterns and Marital Adjustment in Married Couples

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between self-silencing, communication patterns and marital adjustment in married couples. The study assumed a positive association between self-silencing, communication patterns, and marital adjustment and hypothesized the prediction among them. One hundred participants were recruited from Lahore, Pakistan, who had a duration of marriage between 1-8 years. To assess the study variables, the Self-Silencing Scale by Dana Jack (1992), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale by Spanier (1976) and the Communication Patterns Questionnaire by Christesen and Shenk (1991) were used. The results revealed that self-silencing, self-demand/partner-withdraw, and partner-demand/self-withdraw were negatively correlated with marital adjustment. At the same time, constructive communication had a significant positive correlation with marital adjustment. Hierarchical regression for husbands showed that constructive communication patterns positively predicted marital adjustment. The study is beneficial for the understanding of researchers and the awareness of the public about marital well-being.