Young adult romantic couples’ conflict resolution and satisfaction varies with partner’s Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder type

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Will Canu Ph.D, Professor (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/

Abstract: Attention-de?cit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has previously been associated with less satisfaction and success in romantic relationships. This study compares con?ict resolution and problem-solving behaviors in young adult romantic couples either having one partner with ADHD combined type (C-couples), having one partner identi?ed with ADHD inattentive type (IA-couples), or in which neither partner has an ADHD diagnosis (nondiagnosed [ND] couples). Self-reports of current and childhood ADHD symptoms corroborated diag-nostic status and speaker and listener behaviors, coded via the Rapid Couples Interaction Scoring System (Gottman, 1996), were the primary dependent variables. Analyses revealed greater negativity and less positivity in C-couples’ behavior during a con?ict resolution task, relative to IA and ND couples, and this corresponded with couples’ relational satisfaction. IA-couples emitted relational behavior that was largely similar to ND couples. Findings support that relational impairment exists in C-couples, and to some degree, contrast with previous research suggesting that individuals with predominant inattention experience greater social impairment in adulthood than those with other types of ADHD.

Additional Information

Publication
Will H. Canu, Lindsey S. Tabor, Kurt D. Michael, Doris G. Bazzini, and Alexis L. Elmore (2013) " Young adult romantic couples’ conflict resolution and satisfaction varies with partner’s Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder type" Journal of Marital and Family Therapy Version of Record Available @ (doi: 10.1111/jmft.12018)
Language: English
Date: 2013
Keywords
ADHD/romantic couples/psychological disorders/social dysfunction

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