LW-MAT Evaluation

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Theoretical Basis and usefulness
Relationship satisfaction in romantic relationships one of many factors important to explore when treating couples. Therapists may find it useful to measure how much time couple spend together, what are the patterns are when the couple argues, on what they agree or disagree, and so on. Knowing the area of most concern, therapist can tailor treatment to address the presenting issues that the couple wants to resolve and understand more about each other.
Because relationships are evolving and couples involved experience adjustment at different points in their life, the Locke & Wallace Marital Adjustment Test (LW-MAT) studies dyadic adjustment by looking at the process only at specific points on the continuum “focusing on characteristics and interactions of the relationship” (Spanier, 1976, p. 16). Spanier (1976) defines dyadic adjustment in five ways: troublesome dyadic differences, interpersonal tensions and personal anxiety, dyadic satisfaction, and dyadic cohesion, and consensus on matters of importance of dyadic functioning.
Psychometric properties
The predictors of marital happiness are influenced by the interpersonal variables (Gottman, 1994; Karney & Bradburry, 1997). The variables found in the LW-MAT are consistent and measure what they intend to measure (e.g., marital satisfaction) by the way questions are posed in the assessment. Knabb and Vogt (2011) drew from previous research and highlight that marital studies alluded to the concepts that personality variables in one partner tend to predict the level of marital adjustment. Additionally dyadic approach to marital research examines how personality similarities and differences between couples contribute to marital adjustment (Gottman, 1987...

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...en-age) marriage in the United States. Current Psychology: Research & Reviews, 9, 296–303.
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Shiota, M., & Levenson, R. (2007). Birds of a feather don’t always fly farthest: Similarity on big five personality predicts more negative marital satisfaction trajectories in long-term marriages. Psychology and Aging, 22, 666–675.
Spanier, G. B. (1976). Measuring dyadic adjustment: New scales for assessing the quality of marriage and similar dyads. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 38 (1), pp. 15-28.
Afterdemployment.org. (2013). Marriage Assessment: Locke Wallace Marital Adjustment Test. Retrieved on December 6, 2013 from http://www.afterdeployment.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/assessment-tools/marriage-assessment.pdf

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