Citation

Krivickas KM, Sanchez LA, Kenney CT, Wright JD. Soc. Sci. Res. 2010; 39(5): 700-714.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ssresearch.2010.05.003

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We examine relationships between childhood abuse and two maladaptive marital communication patterns - hostile and withdrawing - and test whether covenant marriage or pre-marital counseling mediate the effects of childhood abuse. Drawing on a sample from the Marriage Matters (1997-2004) data, we find both gendered differences in communication and in the relationship between childhood abuse and negative communication patterns. Wives are more likely to use a hostile style of communication, whereas husbands are more likely to use a withdrawing style. We also find that childhood abuse affects hostile communication for both spouses but influences only wives' withdrawing. Neither covenant marriage nor pre-marital counseling is associated with hostile communication for either spouse. Covenant marriage increases husbands' withdrawal from conflict, whereas pre-marital counseling increases the use of withdrawing communication in both wives and husbands.