| Theorists assert that the balance between mutuality and individuality is a central issue affecting the quality of couple relationships, but this balance has not been assessed systematically. Sandplay was used in the present study to explore marital satisfaction and the relationship between individuality and mutuality in the first five years of marriage. The sandplay technique involves the use of miniatures and sand-filled trays which are arranged by participants to create scenes or worlds. Eight couples participated in this intensive, short-term, longitudinal assessment, four who indicated considerable marital distress, and four relatively nondistressed. Over 3 months, both partners made an individual sandworld, 3 couple sandworlds, and a final individual sandworld. Each individual also filled out questionnaires assessing marital satisfaction, role satisfaction, and self-esteem, and participated in couple interviews about their marriage.; Results revealed that nondistressed individuals were significantly more likely to: (1) use the same miniatures and express the same themes in their individual and couple sandworlds; (2) choose some miniatures jointly in their couple sandworlds; (3) build more coherent and full sandworlds; and (4) allow private territory within the couple sandtray. Distressed partners made sandworlds that contained more aggression, and they were more likely either to divide the sandbox into two territories or share it completely, rather than allowing both separate and shared spaces.; Analysis of the verbal interaction indicated that nondistressed spouses agreed more, were more likely to make couple oriented problem solving statements, and to make humorous statements. Distressed pairs were more likely to use aggressive comments, to disagree, and to use metacommunications.; Qualitative analyses revealed that nondistressed couples developed a storyline in their shared sandworlds over time. At the final individual sandtray, men from both groups were likely to express autonomy themes, whereas women from both groups remained focused on the couple relationship.; Nondistressed spouses in this small sample emphasized their coupleness in their individual and joint sandworlds, and were able to feel closer and more separate than their unhappy counterparts. Distressed mates expressed problems connected with being together and with being apart, and disagreed on how much closeness or distance was optimal. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)... |
