Couples Communication

Communication is a hallmark of human development, because it is essential for survival and for creating and maintaining relationships among humans. However, patterns of communication vary along developmental and gender lines (Ashford & LeCroy, 2010) with positive interaction and communication patterns being key to productive dyadic relationships (Nelson, 2010). About 90 per cent of humans prefer to be married or partnered (United Nations, 2000), but these relationships can be problematic. Some of the issues that plague marriages and romantic relationships include conflict in communication and infidelity. In some instances, these issues stem from dysfunctional interactions, while in other instances dysfunctional interactions are only a consequence. Regardless of whether they constitute a consequence or causal factor of problems in relationships, dysfunctional interactions are often a reason for which people seek therapeutic support (Nelson, 2010). The resolution of marital conflict happens differently across cultures. In some places, couples seek the help of older family relatives or other elders, members of the clergy, or community leaders. This chapter focuses on couples communication and presents examples of ways in which social workers from different countries respond to some common issues in marriages or partnerships, including communication problems, infidelity, HIV infection, sexuality, and spirituality.