Personality correlates of marital dissatisfaction: a comparison of psychiatric, maritally distressed, and nonclinic samples. 1990

D K Snyder, and J M Regts
Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4235.

This study examined the relationship between personality functioning as assessed by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and individuals' reports of marital distress on the Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI). Both the MMPI and MSI were administered to a total sample of 90 couples with 30 couples from each of three sources: couples in marital therapy, couples in which one partner was psychiatrically hospitalized or in individual outpatient psychotherapy, and nonclinic couples from the general population. Replicated scale-by-scale correlations between the two instruments generally indicated a positive but modest association between individuals' scores on the MMPI and self-reported marital distress. Both bivariate and multiple regression analyses employing either individual scales or conjoint configural analyses of couples' MMPI profiles consistently identified scale 4, Psychopathic deviance (Pd), as the best predictor of relationship distress across a broad spectrum of marital functioning. However, both individual MMPI scales and complex configural approaches misclassified a large percentage of couples across all three samples. Clinical implications of results are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008388 Marital Therapy A form of psychotherapy involving both spouses and directed to improving the marital relationship. Marriage Therapy,Therapy, Marital,Therapy, Marriage,Marital Therapies,Marriage Therapies,Therapies, Marital,Therapies, Marriage
D008393 Marriage The social institution involving legal and/or religious sanction whereby individuals are joined together. Marital Relationship,Arranged Marriage,Commonlaw Marriage,Consensual Union,Consummation of Marriage,Dowry,Husband-Wife Comparisons,Intermarriage,Marriage Age,Marriage Duration,Marriage Patterns,Marriage Postponement,Mate Selection,Multiple Marriages,Nuptiality,Polygamy,Polygyny,Remarriage,Same-Sex Marriage,Age, Marriage,Ages, Marriage,Arranged Marriages,Commonlaw Marriages,Comparison, Husband-Wife,Comparisons, Husband-Wife,Consensual Unions,Dowries,Duration, Marriage,Husband Wife Comparisons,Husband-Wife Comparison,Intermarriages,Marital Relationships,Marriage Ages,Marriage Consummation,Marriage Consummations,Marriage Pattern,Marriage Postponements,Marriage, Arranged,Marriage, Commonlaw,Marriage, Same-Sex,Marriages,Marriages, Arranged,Marriages, Commonlaw,Marriages, Multiple,Marriages, Same-Sex,Mate Selections,Postponement, Marriage,Postponements, Marriage,Relationship, Marital,Relationships, Marital,Remarriages,Same Sex Marriage,Same-Sex Marriages,Selection, Mate,Selections, Mate,Union, Consensual,Unions, Consensual
D008950 MMPI A personality inventory consisting of statements to be asserted or denied by the individual. The patterns of response are characteristic of certain personality attributes. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
D010551 Personality Behavior-response patterns that characterize the individual. Personalities
D011581 Psychological Tests Standardized tests designed to measure abilities (as in intelligence, aptitude, and achievement tests) or to evaluate personality traits. Parenting Stress Index,Trier Social Stress Test,Trier Stress Test,Psychologic Tests,Psychological Test,Test, Psychological,Tests, Psychological,Index, Parenting Stress,Psychologic Test,Stress Index, Parenting,Stress Test, Trier,Test, Psychologic,Test, Trier Stress,Trier Stress Tests
D011594 Psychometrics Assessment of psychological variables by the application of mathematical procedures. Psychometric
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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