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Sequential analysis of autonomy‐interdependence and affiliation‐disaffiliation in couples' social support interactions
Author(s) -
SAITZYK ARLENE R.,
FLOYD FRANK J.,
KROLL ALEXANDRA B.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
personal relationships
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.81
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1475-6811
pISSN - 1350-4126
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-6811.1997.tb00150.x
Subject(s) - interdependence , psychology , autonomy , social psychology , interpersonal communication , independence (probability theory) , social support , interpersonal relationship , partner effects , social relation , interpersonal interaction , developmental psychology , sociology , social science , statistics , mathematics , political science , law
Sequential patterns of social support interactions between satisfied ( n = 33) and dissatisfied ( n = 23) husbands and wives were observed as the spouses took turns confiding about personal problems. The interactions were coded with an adaptation of Benjamin's Structural Analysis of Social Behavior, which evaluates interpersonal behaviors along two dimensions of independence‐interdependence and affiliation‐disaffiliation. Log‐linear analysis verified expected complementary sequential exchanges of behaviors that fell in the mid‐ranges of independence, interdependence, affiliation, and disaffiliation, although extreme forms of independent and interdependent behavior showed unexpected functional associations with non‐complementary behaviors. Dissatisfied wives displayed imbalanced levels of independent and interdependent behaviors, and both spouses showed relatively less support for each other's independent initiative. Dissatisfied spouses also had difficulty providing and accepting assistance in affiliative ways. The findings are discussed in terms of the balance of autonomy and interconnectedness in marriage, and the implications for improving supportive interactions for dissatisfied couples.