Couples' argument sequences and their associations with relational characteristics

This study examines argument sequences that couples use in conversations about relational problems and investigates the associations between argument sequences and control mutuality. Two additional relational variables, satisfaction and relationship length, are also examined. Lag sequential analyses and correlation analyses reveal that four sets of sequences were enacted by participants: developing, rudimentary, converging, and diverging. Control mutuality correlated positively with developing and converging sequences, but was associated negatively with diverging sequences. Relational satisfaction also correlated negatively with diverging sequences, while relationship length was associated positively with converging sequences.