Comunicação conjugal negativa e aberta: modelo interdependente de efeito ator/parceiro no ajustamento conjugal

Communication is essential for assessment and intervention in marital psychotherapy. For that matter, it was investigated whether negative and open marital communication impact the marital adjustment of heterosexual couples. This is a quantitative, cross - sectional, correlational, and explanatory study. A total of 231 couples residing in the Southern region of Brazil were assessed. Participants answered the Communication Ques tionnaire and the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (R - DAS). The data were analyzed on a dyadic basis using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) and indicated that negative communication causes a greater impact than open communication in the marita l adjustment of husbands and wives, since it caused actor and partner effects. Open communication caused only the actor effect for husbands and wives. The results were discussed in the light of the scientific literature considering the possible implications for the clinical area and for the research.