The article explores how interactions within couples transform over time. In particular, the authors focus on what is known about the process, how such data have been obtained over decades of research, and what else needs to be considered. Pages 29-31 of the article are devoted to describing the impact of relationships on the health and well-being of partners. In particular, the researchers identified that the stress level within the couple significantly influences the production of stress-related hormones and diastolic blood pressure (Friedlander et al., 2019). Marital interaction also has an impact on the development of psychological characteristics of children. In particular, conflicts between partners, as well as hostility towards children, can affect relationships within a couple. In general, conflicts and stress within a couple lead to “various physical and behavioral health conditions, including depression, chronic pain, and alcohol and drug abuse” (Friedlander et al., 2019, p. 30). These conditions can occur in both partners, which emphasizes the significant influence of the relationship within the couple.
Pages 31-33 of the article are devoted to the description of data collection and analysis techniques in this area, both at the micro and macro level. Researchers first describe approaches to microlevel observational analysis, which includes scoring and coding systems. In this regard, the authors note that the nature of the relationship must be considered in the specific context of a particular couple to determine behavioral patterns and their consequences. Macrolevel observational analysis allows researchers to collect more general data outside of a specific context. Coding and scoring systems related to this type of technics help to get a general idea of how dyadic interactions work. Thus, the combination of these approaches allows one to obtain detailed information within the framework of certain cases and behavioral episodes, and to observe the overall picture.
Reference
Friedlander, M. L., Lee, M., & Escudero, V. (2019). What we do and do not know about the nature and analysis of couple interaction. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 8(1), 24-44. Web.