Affection and Intimacy as a Special Strength of Couples in Blended Families

SynopsisAn instrument developed specifically to measure the satisfaction of couples in blended families was administered to 70 couples with the intent of discovering special strengths, as distinct from stresses, in the relationship. From 12 categories, such as Communication, Leisure Activities, Family and Friends, and Roles, the subscale in which couple agreement scores were the highest emerged as that of Sexual Relationship. Items in the Sexual Relationship category dealt with affection, sexual intimacy, and fertility control. Subject responses indicated that couples in the present study had succeeded in giving priority to their own intimate relationship, achieving a high level of satisfaction in this area in spite of minimal agreement in the area of Children and Parenting.