The effects of assertiveness training on couples' relationships

The effect of assertiveness training of one partner in a couple on both partner's perceptions of trust and intimacy in their relationship was assessed. Twenty-six assertiveness trainees and their 26 nonparticipating partners completed the Interpersonal Relationship Scale (IRS) pre- and posttraining. Eighteen persons who were on a waiting list for assertion training and their 18 partners also completed the IRS. Assertion trainees and their nonparticipating partners perceived significantly higher levels of trust and intimacy in their relationships following assertion training, compared to the waiting list control group. Non-participating partners did not significantly differ from assertion trainees in their perceptions of their relationships. Results suggest that assertion training of one partner in a couple has a positive effect on both partners' perceptions.