Longitudinal prediction of marital discord from premarital expressions of affect.

Theoretical and empirical analyses suggest that affective features of dyadic communication bear importantly on relationship satisfaction. A circumplex model that originated in research on the structure of affect was first replicated using data from premarital problem-solving discussions. Negativity, Positivity, and Disengagement emerged as the 3 primary factors. Multiple regression analyses, controlling for premarital relationship satisfaction, showed affective Disengagement at premarriage to be negatively associated with marital satisfaction at 18 (n?=?84) and 30 (n?=?72) mo after marriage. Negativity of premarital affective expression correlated negatively with premarital satisfaction (n?=?88) but not with postmarital satisfaction. Two variables formed by combining affect factors contributed to the prediction of 30-mo marital satisfaction. Elements associated with current marital satisfaction appear to differ from those associated with later marital satisfaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)