TY - JOUR
T1 - Sex Differences in the Use of Demand and Withdraw Behavior in Marriage
T2 - Examining the Social Structure Hypothesis
AU - Vogel, David L.
AU - Murphy, Megan J.
AU - Werner-Wilson, Ronald J.
AU - Cutrona, Carolyn E.
AU - Seeman, Joann
PY - 2007/4
Y1 - 2007/4
N2 - Studies consistently show sex differences in married couples' use of demand and withdraw behavior. The social structure hypothesis proposes that these differences are the result of power differentials between spouses. This study examined the link between 3 aspects of marital power and demanding and withdrawal behavior. Contrary to social structure predictions, results showed that wives did not possess less decision-making ability or access to resources and appeared to exhibit greater situational power (i.e., domineering and dominant behaviors) than did their husbands during problem-solving discussions. Furthermore, the spouse who exhibited the most demands also exhibited the most domineering and dominant behaviors, whereas the spouse who exhibited the most withdrawal exhibited the least domineering and dominant behaviors during problem-solving discussions.
AB - Studies consistently show sex differences in married couples' use of demand and withdraw behavior. The social structure hypothesis proposes that these differences are the result of power differentials between spouses. This study examined the link between 3 aspects of marital power and demanding and withdrawal behavior. Contrary to social structure predictions, results showed that wives did not possess less decision-making ability or access to resources and appeared to exhibit greater situational power (i.e., domineering and dominant behaviors) than did their husbands during problem-solving discussions. Furthermore, the spouse who exhibited the most demands also exhibited the most domineering and dominant behaviors, whereas the spouse who exhibited the most withdrawal exhibited the least domineering and dominant behaviors during problem-solving discussions.
KW - demand
KW - marital communication
KW - marital power
KW - problem solving
KW - withdraw
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U2 - 10.1037/0022-0167.54.2.165
DO - 10.1037/0022-0167.54.2.165
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34548823770
SN - 0022-0167
VL - 54
SP - 165
EP - 177
JO - Journal of Counseling Psychology
JF - Journal of Counseling Psychology
IS - 2
ER -
