Communication Problems, Marital Satisfaction, and Divorce

Introduction and Statement of the Problem

Communication problems have long been perceived as a contributor to marital dissatisfaction and divorce. Thompson (2008) stated that some marriages are more difficult than others, but only communication problems make them untenable. Research, he says, has found that difficulties communicating are a major source of marital failure. Supporting this view, Caughlin and Huston (2006) stated that research literature has linked communication to dissatisfaction and/or divorce. Vangelisti (1994) indicated that it is the view of some counsellors that the primary problem in relationships is the inability to communicate constructively. Others feel that when the communication problem is addressed, the whole relationship improves. It is reasonable to conclude, therefore, that learning effective communication skills is a likely way to help curb this problem. One study cited by Thompson (2008) found that quality communication and money were among the two most important determinants of marital satisfaction. Maatta and Uusiautti (2013) have identified communicative strategies and metacommunication as important interaction strategies for the continuance of a relationship and coping with communication problems.

Walsh (as cited in Vangelisti, 1994, p. 109) recommended clarity, consistency, and predictability in patterns of interaction, open communication, effective problem solving, and conflict resolution processes as some of the most important components for healthy family functioning. When Navajo couples who self-identified as having strong marriages were interviewed on the question of what constitutes a strong marriage, maintaining communication was among the five themes identified (Skogrand et al., 2008). Finally, it will be helpful for couples to be able to recognize and quickly correct what Maatta and Uusiautti (2013) call the usual enemies of couple interaction — bad communication, destructive ideas about reasons for disagreements and problems, and lowered expectations toward the ability to solve disagreements.

Research Questions

This study is guided by two research questions: What role do communication issues play in marital problems? What role do communication issues play in resulting divorce?

Hypothesis

It is predicted that communication problems will be related to marital problems and divorce among Trinidadian couples.

Aims and Objectives

This study seeks to launch a scientific investigation and scholarly discussion on communication and marital problems. Though similar studies have been conducted in other countries, none has been found regarding Trinidadian society. Additionally, many studies cannot be generalized across all societies and cultures. For example, Skogrand et al. (2008) stated that researchers have concluded that one size does not fit all when it comes to relationship and marriage education, and there is a need to consider cultural differences as they relate to relationship and marriage education. The general consensus across the existing body of literature is that communication problems are linked to marital dissatisfaction and divorce. As such, the sole objective of this study will be to test these claims within the dynamics of Trinidadian society and, in the process, gain further insight and perspective on the issue.

Purpose and Significance of the Study

This study has as its main focus the determination of the relationship between communication problems and marital problems and divorce. Marriages are no doubt difficult at times and face many challenges as well as conflicts. One only has to look at the number of marriages being dissolved to attest to this. How many of those marriages had communication problems as their major source of conflict? How many of those marriages could have been saved with effective communication? These are some of the questions this research will consider. Strong marriages produce strong families and strong homes, which by extension builds a strong society. This study bears great significance in identifying the extent of communication problems' contribution to marital problems and divorce. Recommendations and solutions to the problem will be proposed based on the findings.

Skogrand et al. (2008) stated that there is evidence that stable and happy marriages increase both child well-being and the social and emotional health of the couple. If this is so, then identifying hindrances to stable and happy marriages and recommending solutions to address them will help sustain these marriages, build up the family, and by extension help build a strong society.

Background to the Study

Within the existing literature, communication has been defined in a number of ways. Adler and Rodman (1994) define communication as the process of creating meaning through symbolic interactions. Meanwhile, McIntosh, Davis, and Luecke (2008) define it as a complex activity which involves words, body language, voice tone and volume, the topic under discussion, the prejudgments that people bring to the topic, and the "communication history" between the participants in the discussion. Littlejohn (2002) states that "communication is one of the most pervasive, important and complex aspects of human life." McDermont (2008) agrees with the complexity of communication and points to the human ability to conceptualize and develop abstract ideas and engage in problem solving. Regardless of how communication is defined, it is certain that it is central to mankind's existence as well as to his relationships. For the purpose of this study, communication will be defined as an inescapable, irreversible, and dynamic human process, sometimes distorted by noise, in which meaning is generated and information is sent and received using varying channels.

Communication is not limited to verbal communication alone. Nonverbal communication — communication without words — plays an important role in the communication act. Wood (2007) states that nonverbal communication is more continuous than verbal communication and is also perceived as more believable. Nonverbal communication helps us to form impressions of others, define relationships, and regulate interactions (DeVito, 2009). It includes gestures, smiles, frowns, eye contact, body language, dress, space, time, and even silence. There are varying types of nonverbal communication, such as kinesics (body movement), haptics (touch), and olfactory (smell). When conducting this study, nonverbal communication will also be considered. The study will examine the types of nonverbal communication used by couples in sexual as well as nonsexual situations, as how couples communicate about sex holds great importance for any married couple and is likely to affect marital satisfaction.

As fundamental as communication is to human existence, there are instances when communication fails to take place or is ineffective, and in other instances messages are misinterpreted. When any of these situations occur in the context of close interpersonal relationships such as marriage, the likely result is conflict and relational difficulties. For this study, marriage is understood as the formal union of a man and a woman, legally recognized, by which they become husband and wife (Oxford Dictionary). This study will not consider same-sex marriages but will examine heterosexual marriages only. Divorce, for the purpose of this study, will be defined as the dissolution of a heterosexual marriage.

The attribution theory as well as the relationship influence perspective will be utilized for the study. In a general sense, we all construct theories about the nature of people's behaviour. Carlson and Buskist (1997) explained that we attribute people's behaviour to either external (situational) or internal (dispositional) causes. Wood (2007) explained that an attribution is an explanation for why something happened or why someone acts a certain way, and that attributions have four dimensions. Locus attributes a person's behaviour to internal or external factors; stability explains actions as resulting from factors that will not change over time, or unstable factors that may differ at another time; specificity explains behaviour in terms of whether it has global implications applying in almost all situations or only under certain conditions; and responsibility relates to whether the action is within the person's control or beyond it. Wood (2007) further explained that our attributions for the actions of others affect our feelings about them and our relationship with them, and influence the meanings we attach to their communication.

This theory is applicable to the present study since it will be concerned with the extent to which marital problems and divorce can be attributed to communication problems — specifically, whether communication problems are attributed to internal or external factors, whether communication behaviours are stable (perhaps learned in childhood) or can change over time, and whether such behaviours apply in all situations or only select ones. The relationship influence model, which holds that the individual qualities brought to a relationship will affect the overall interpersonal tone of that relationship (Caughlin et al., 2006), can be seen as directly related to the internal and stable dimensions of attributions.