Htqe.2025.11

https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2025.11 | 145-158 | PDF

The Relationship Between Communication Strategies and Satisfaction in Couple Relationships

Kristīne Kreile¹, Alla Plaude-Demidova¹
¹University of Latvia, Riga

Abstract
The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between the use of functional and dysfunctional communication strategies in relationships and their association with relationship satisfaction. The research examines whether the use of specific communication strategies is related to couple satisfaction and identifies the nature of these relationships. The research instrument consists of a demographic section and two surveys measuring overall relationship satisfaction and communication strategies or habitual patterns in romantic relationships. Satisfaction with relationships was measured using the Partner Satisfaction Score. The method was adapted into Latvian (Mizāne, 2006). The survey contains 35 statements. The preference for different communication strategies in the partnership was measured using the updated version of the Communication Patterns Questionnaire (Crenshaw et al., 2017). The initial adaptation of the questionnaire for the purposes of the study was carried out as part of this work. The study sample consists of 840 respondents. The results confirm that the use of functional or constructive communication strategies in relationships is positively related to couple satisfaction, while dysfunctional, partner-demanding/self-withdrawal, and self-demanding/partner-withdrawal communication strategies are negatively related to couple satisfaction. Regression analysis revealed that relationship satisfaction in this sample was predicted by the use of constructive communication – the more constructive communication is used in interactions, the more satisfied individuals are with their relationships.

Keywords: communication strategies, constructive communication, dysfunctional communication, relationship satisfaction, self-demanding/partner withdrawal, partner-demanding/self-withdrawal

In: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2025. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Cilvēks, tehnoloģijas un izglītības kvalitāte, 2025. Rakstu krājums.  Ed. L. Daniela. Riga: University of Latvia, 2025. 698 p.
ISBN 978-9934-36-461-7 
https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2025