lf to more successful resolution than more severe disorders and psychological illnesses. Depressed mood, anxiety, disturbance of conduct, social withdrawal, job problems and other conditions are exhibited by those with adjustment disorder depending on the predominant symptoms (DSM-IV, 2000, 312.30). Human relationships are a necessary component of existence and often a major source of stressors in our lives. This is particularly true when it comes to adjusting psychologically to the stressor of marriage and myriad changes it entails for the external and internal dynamic. Linking one’s individual self with another physically and emotionally for all of one’s life is a major change, a stressor that often requires a great deal of emotional and behavioral modification on behalf of both partners to create a successful marriage. Countless issues are involved that may impact communication between the individuals, communication being one of the biggest influencers or marriage satisfaction. As noted by Coop Gordon (et al., 1999, 211) , studies using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Inventory of Specific Relationship Standards, and the Communication Patterns Questionnaire, communication is one of the biggest issues involved in degree of marital satisfaction, “Over the last twenty years, the behavioral model of interaction has placed a strong emphasis on the relationship between communication and marital adjustment…In general, the findings suggest that couples who engage in a high frequency of negative communication behaviors and patterns are substantially more likely to be martially distressed” (Coop Gordon et al., 1999, 211). This research will investigate marriage and its propensity for creating adjustment disorder in individuals due to stressors engendered on the psychological and social levels.
The yearning quest in life to find self-satisfaction and authentic external belonging requires the individual to discover a mean...