Identity and Intimacy in Marriage: A Study of Couples, 1990-1992

This study examined identity and intimacy issues in the lives of married adults. More specifically, intimacy in married couples was viewed as a product of both partners' identities. Thus, this data set contains complementary data from both partners in married couples. A group of 40 married couples from the greater metropolitan area of a Northeastern city served as a sample for this study. The couple selection was based on three criteria: married five to 20 years, no more than five children, not involved in marital counseling. Volunteers for the study were obtained from local media advertising including an incentive offer of discount entertainment tickets. Partners in the study independently completed the Adult Intimacy Interview, a modification of the Intimacy Status Interview of Tesch and Whitbourne (1982). Topics included: sharing of daily responsibilities; career decisions; friends and/or hobbies outside of the relationship; awareness of partner's sexual needs, emotional status and perspective on other issues; use of free time; and descriptions of feelings towards partner. Each partner also completed the Spanier Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Ebmeyer Role Performance Scale. Couples were then brought together to discuss three topics for five minutes each. These sessions were audiotaped without the interviewer present. The discussions covered things participants did to please their partners, coming to a consensus on the Role Performance Scale (Ebmeyer, 1982), and an issue of recent concern to the couple. Two years later, some of the couples were sent a follow-up questionnaire asking them to describe any significant changes in their lives. The Murray Research Archive holds all interview transcripts from the study. Communication excerpts and final questions are available for most participants. For some participants there are also follow-up questionnaires. The collection does not include the Ebmeyer Role Performance Scales or the Spanier Dyadic Adjustment Scales.