Marital intimacy and self-disclosure

Examined the relationship between the qualitative aspects of marital intimacy among 20 couples and a quantitative, microanalysis of their self-disclosing behavior. Two interview segments and their combination were scored for the basic parameters of self-disclosure using the Self-Disclosure Coding System (SDCS). These scores served as predictor variables for each of 12 intimacy dimensions derived from the standardized, structured Victoria Hospital Intimacy Interview in stepwise multiple regression analyses. The resulting multiple Rs ranged from .357 for Sexuality in segment I to .853 for Identity in segment II. Analysis of the couples' self-disclosures across segments I and II yielded multiple Rs from .446 to .850, with the intimacy dimensions of Expressiveness, Compatibility, Behavior, and Identity the highest correlates. These results suggest that although self-disclosure and intimacy are not synonymous, self-disclosing behavior is a major determinant of various aspects of marital intimacy and accounts for more than 50% of the variance in at least four dimensions. Explanations for these findings and their clinical relevance are discussed.