DEVELOPMENT OF A CODING SYSTEM FOR MARITAL PROBLEM-SOLVING EFFICACY

Efficacy in marital problem solving has received little attention, and work on general problem solving efficacy does not address marital iss ues. This study examined the ability to discriminate between groups an d criterion validity of an efficacy-focused marital problem solving me asurement method, the Marital Efficacy Coding System, which combines m arital problem scenarios with general social problem solving assessmen t procedures. This system was administered to nondistressed married su bjects, participants in marital therapy, and divorced or separated ind ividuals. Participants were asked to develop a set of discrete steps o r 'means' as solutions to marital problem scenarios. The content was c oded by a number of means, participants' ratings of problem frequency and typicality of response, and coders' ratings of efficacy and equali ty. Overall percentage agreement between coders was 73.4%. Marital Eff icacy Coding System variables, including problem frequency, solution t ypicality, and solution efficacy, were shown to significantly differen tiate between participants high and low in marital satisfaction and to possess significant predictive ability.