The German version of the Communication Patterns Questionnaire: reliability and validity

This study examines the reliability and validity of the German version of t he Communication Patterns Questionnaire CPQ (Christensen, 1987, 1988; Germa n title: Fragebogen zur Erfassung partnerschaftlicher Kommunikationsmuster FPK). The CPQ/FPK assesses marital communication at the dyadic level. Commu nication patterns are evaluated on four scales: (a) Constructive Communicat ion, (b) Avoidance of Communication, (c) Man Demand-Woman Withdraw and (d) Woman Demand-Man Withdraw. The reliability and validity of the FPK was inve stigated using a sample of N = 143 couples participating in a study to eval uate the effectiveness of preventive interventions. The internal consistenc ies of the scales were satisfactory and comparable to the CPQ. The construc t validity was established by yielding significant correlations with other, conceptually related questionnaires and couple's videotaped interactions. Significant differences between maritally happy and unhappy couples point t o the discriminative validity of the scales. Furthermore, the FPK seems to monitor sensitively changes by preventive interventions.