Topic avoidance: Is this the way to a more satisfying relationship?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2002

Abstract

Romantically involved couples face many challenges in their relationships. One commonly held belief is that increased communication helps couples remain satisfied in their relationships and solves many of their problems. Because of this belief, this study investigated topic avoidance and relational satisfaction within romantic relationships. One hundred and twenty-two participants (62 females) completed a questionnaire that asked what topics they avoided with their relational partners, what topics they perceived their partners avoided, and how satisfied they were in their relationships. Participants reported avoiding more topics than they perceived their relational partners avoided. In addition, a significant inverse relationship was found between the overall level of topic avoidance a relational partner perceived his or her partner engaging in and his or her own relational satisfaction. Further, a significant negative relationship was found between an individual's overall level of topic avoidance and his or her own relationship satisfaction. © 2002 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Publication Title

Communication Research Reports

First Page Number

175

Last Page Number

182

DOI

10.1080/08824090209384845

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