Self-Esteem, Coping Efforts and Marital Adjustment

Authors

  • Claude Bélanger
    University of Québec at Montréal, Montréal, Canada; McGill University, Montréal, Canada; Douglas Hospital Research Center, Montréal, Canada; Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes conjugaux et les agressions sexuelles (CRIPCAS), Montréal, Canada
  • Marie-France Di Schiavi
    University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada
  • Stéphane Sabourin
    Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes conjugaux et les agressions sexuelles (CRIPCAS), Montréal, Canada; Laval University, Québec, Canada
  • Caroline Dugal
    University of Québec at Montréal, Montréal, Canada; Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes conjugaux et les agressions sexuelles (CRIPCAS), Montréal, Canada
  • Ghassan El Baalbaki
    University of Québec at Montréal, Montréal, Canada; McGill University, Montréal, Canada
  • Yvan Lussier
    Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes conjugaux et les agressions sexuelles (CRIPCAS), Montréal, Canada; University of Québec in Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between self-esteem, specific coping strategies and marital adjustment. The sample consists of 216 subjects from 108 couples who completed the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Ways of Coping Checklist. The results confirm the presence of a relationship between self-esteem, specific coping strategies and marital adjustment in men and women. High self-esteem and marital adjustment are associated with the use of problem solving strategies and less avoidance as a way of coping. Moreover, cross analyses reveal that one’s feelings of self-worth are associated with his/her spouse's marital adjustment. The theoretical implications of these results are discussed.