he relative levels of psychopathology manifested in interpersonal contexts can be quite differentö (253). Character impairments differ between individuals based on different developmental histories, different personality styles, and a unique combination of biological, environmental and experiential factors. Past experiences also shape each partnerÆs behavior, thinking, and affective perspectives as relationship interaction patterns develop. Other factors can contribute to poor relationship interaction, like depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse problems, and a variety of psychoses.
Character impairments are essential to address because the failure to recognize and treat partnersÆ pathological or self-defeating character features readily results in the dysfunction of couples. Individual dysfunction is often maintained by conflict in relationships and relationship conflict often exacerbates or maintains individual dysfun
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