Training Married Couples in Listening Skills: Effects on Behavior, Perceptual Accuracy and Marital Adjustment

TLDR

The study evaluates the impact of active listening training within a comprehensive marriage enrichment program. Nineteen couples were randomly assigned to three groups: two received the same program, one of which included an active listening session, while the third served as a waiting‑list control. Couples trained in active listening showed significantly greater accuracy in perceiving spouses’ attitudes and feelings, but this did not translate into improved marital adjustment.

Abstract

This research is an evaluation of training in active listening skills as one part of a comprehensive marriage enrichment program. Nineteen couples were randomly assigned to three groups. Two groups used an identical program except that in one session the experimental group was taught active listening skills. The third group was assigned to a waiting list. Those trained in the skills became significantly more accurate in their perceptions of spouses' attitudes and feelings than those in the waiting list or the other treatment group. However, this greater accuracy was not found to have any significant effect on marital adjustment.