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The longitudinal association between attributions and marital satisfaction: direction of effects and role of efficacy expectations

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 21:48 authored by Frank D Fincham, Gordon Harold, Susan Gano-Phillips
This study investigated the direction of possible causal effects between attributions for negative partner behavior and marital satisfaction and tested whether any effects are mediated by efficacy expectations regarding marital conflict. Couples married for 15-20 months completed measures of attribution and satisfaction at Time 1 and at Time 3 (18 months later). At Time 2 (6 months after Time 1) they completed a measure of efficacy expectations. For both husbands and wives, a cross-lagged effects model showed that the paths from causal attributions to later satisfaction and from satisfaction to later causal attributions were significant. Efficacy expectations mediated the temporal relation between attributions and satisfaction. These findings support the assumption that there is a reciprocal causal influence between attributions and satisfaction but suggest important modifications to models of close relationships and marital therapy.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Journal of Family Psychology

ISSN

0893-3200

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Issue

2

Volume

14

Page range

267-285

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2015-07-20

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