An evaluation of the relationships between empathy and marriage satisfaction: a preliminary study

Authors

  • Maria das Graças Soares de Oliveira Clínica Particular
  • Eliane Mary de Oliveira Falcone Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro - UERJ
  • Rodolfo de Castro Ribas Jr. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v13i2.8025

Keywords:

empathy, marriage satisfaction, evaluation

Abstract

The study evaluated the relationships between the empathy and marriage satisfaction. A group of 120 married adults (M = 38,99 years old), students and employees from several institutes and colleges of the Rio de Janeiro State University participated in the study. Participants completed the Marriage Empathy Questionnaire (MEQ), the Davis Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) (Davis, 1983) and the Marriage Satisfaction Scale (Dela Coleta, 1989). The data obtained from the above mentioned instruments showed that participants who reported that their partners had higher levels of marriage empathy also presented higher levels of satisfaction in the marriage. Analyses identified statistically significant correlations between the three measures: IRI and Marriage Satisfaction (r=0,28, p < 0,01); IRI and MEQ (r=0,25, p < 0,01); and Marriage Satisfaction and MEQ (r=0,74, p < 0,001). The high Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0,95) found in the MEQ measure allows us to recommend its use in clinical practice and in research.

 

Keywords: empathy; marriage satisfaction; evaluation.

Author Biographies

Maria das Graças Soares de Oliveira, Clínica Particular

Maria das Graças Soares de Oliveira – Mestre em Psicologia Social pela UERJ - Psicoterapeuta Cognitivo-Comportamental - Clínica Particular.

Eliane Mary de Oliveira Falcone, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro - UERJ

Eliane Mary de Oliveira Falcone – Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro - UERJ - Professora adjunta do Instituto de Psicologia da UERJ; docente do programa de pós-graduação em psicologia social da UERJ; Pós-doutoranda pela USP.

Rodolfo de Castro Ribas Jr., Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ

Dr. Rodolfo de Castro Ribas Jr - Instituto de Psicologia - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ.

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How to Cite

Oliveira, M. das G. S. de, Falcone, E. M. de O., & Ribas Jr., R. de C. (2009). An evaluation of the relationships between empathy and marriage satisfaction: a preliminary study. Interação Em Psicologia, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v13i2.8025

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2009)

Section

Articles

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