RELATIONSHIP CONFLICT-MANAGEMENT PATTERNS AMONG SEX DYSFUNCTION, SEX OFFENDER, AND SATISFIED COUPLES

A substantial amount Of research has distinguished specific behaviors of distressed from nondistressed couples. Among this evidence are diff erences in relationship conflict management styles. This investigation examined differences in relationship satisfaction and conflict manage ment styles among 30 sex dysfunction, 25 sex offender, and 26 satisfie d couples assessed by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and the Styles of Conflict Inventory (SCI). Results indicate significantly different levels of marital adjustment and distinctive conflict management patt erns among the three couples groups. The two sex problem groups were s ignificantly more distressed than the satisfied couples, and sex offen der couples appeared more conflicted than sex dysfunction couples. Com pared to satisfied couples, sex dysfunction couples address relationsh ip conflict with somewhat polarized roles with an ''avoid vs. engage'' tern, while sex offender couples employ a more chaotic ''engage-avoid vs. engage-avoid'' style. These different patterns of reactivity to c onflict suggest that individualized treatment approaches to this dimen sion of the clinical picture is warranted.