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thesis entitled

NETWORK OVERLAP AND
MARITAL SATISFACTION

presented by

1

Traci Lyn Engelkes

has been accepted towards fulfillment
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M. A. degree in Communication

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NETWORK OVERLAP AND MARITAL SATISFACTION
3}!
Traci Lyn Engelkes

A THESIS

Submitted to
Michigan State University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF ARTS

Department of Communication

1990

ABSTRACT
NETWORK OVERLAP AND MARITAL SATISFACTION

BY
Traci Lyn Engelkes

The effects of network overlap and communication
apprehension on marital satisfaction were examined.
Network overlap was determined by comparing the names
each spouse had independently generated of the people to
whom they felt closest. The results indicated that the
greater the amount of overlap in a couple's social
network, the greater the satisfaction they had with their
marriage. In addition, it was proven that the higher the
level of communication apprehension, the smaller the size
of one's personal social network. It was also found that
the higher the level of communication apprehension of one

or both partners, the less satisfied they were with their

marriage.

Copyright by
TRACI LYN ENGELKES
1990

ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank Dr. Frank Boster for all of
his help and support. Without his assistance, this
thesis could never have been completed. Special thanks
also to Dr. G.R. Miller, whose advice and comments aided
in perfecting it.

Most of all, I would like to give a special thanks
to my wonderful family, without whom I could not have
come this far. It is with their unwavering love and
support that I have accomplished everything in my life.

Thanks, Mom, Dad and Ross. This is for you.

iii

Chapter 1
Chapter 2,
Chapter 3
Chapter 4,

References

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Method . .
Results .

Discussion .

iv

12
15

20

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Researchers have long tried to explain the rise
in the divorce rate. Consensus has not been reached, but
it is known that the divorce rate has increased since
1970, the present rate being 50% (Census Bureau, 1988).
Moreover, there are no signs of a downturn. Even the
middle class, thought to be the most maritally stable
element in society, has been affected (Pickett, 1975). ,;

Before the increase in the divorce rate, divorce was
attributed to individual deficiencies. Explanations
commonly asserted that individuals seeking divorce
suffered from mental problems (Overall, 1971). But with
the increase in the divorce rate, scholars began
emphasizing societal-level explanations. Reasons ranged
from the movement toward sexual equality and
individualism (Goetting, 1982) to the effects of the
Vietnam war and inflation (Glick, 1975). When these
explanations were shown to be inadequate
(i.e., McCarthy, 1978; Norton a Click, 1976), scholars
began examaining institutional and demographic factors,
such as age, education, religion, and birth order. For
example, one is more likely to divorce if married before

age 20 (McCarthy, 1978), and if one has less than a high

1

school education (Norton & Glick, 1976).

Expanding on these ideas, researchers began viewing“
relational growth and decline transactionally, and the
discrepancy between persons' traits was used to predict
marital discord. Evidence showed, for instance, that age
and religious similarity are strong predictors of marital
stability (Dean & Gurak, 1978).

From this transactional approach came explanations'i
grounded in interpersonal theory. Social exchange
theory, the notion that people are reward-maximizers or
punishment-minimizers has been invoked frequently. Thus,
for example, Thibaut and Kelley (1959) proposed that
persons are attracted to individuals with whom they
perceive they can achieve relational rewards higher than
those expected in alternative relationships (CLalt).
Social exchange theory benefits from the recognition that
persons outside the marital dyad can influence the growth
or decay of a relationship. Put differently, marriages
are affected not only by what happens between wives and
~husbands but also by interaction with members of their
social networks (Blau, 1964). Studies of relational or
romantic development report similar results (Parks &
Adelman, 1983; Parks, Stan & Eggert, 1983). As Parks and
Adelman conclude, "relationships do not spring from a

void, but are embedded in the ongoing social context

)

/

created by the partner's communication networks” (1983,

p. 56). Thus, an understanding of the strength of a

marriage is, "facilitated by understanding the social
networks within which the partnership is initiated,
maintained and, in some cases, terminated" (Ridley &
Avery, 1979, p. 223).

A social network has been defined as those
individuals with whom a particular person interacts
directly (Boissevain, 1974). Network size is one of the
most important structural characteristics. It represents
the number of persons included in one's network, and
varies due to individual differences.

Communication apprehension may be one such
difference that could affect the size of a network.
Communication apprehension (CA) is defined as agperson's
"social anxiety or fear aroused by real or anticipated
communication with another person or persons" (McCroskey,
1977, p. 80). One may decide to either approach or avoid
interaction. The fear of social discomfort can be
overwhelming to someone with high CA, causing them to
avoid social settings that require or expect them to
communicate with others. People with low CA, on the
other hand, have no fear of social discomfort and enter
into social intercourse fairly easily.

Persons with high CA are likely to enter marriage
with relatively small social networks. Research
indicates that these individuals have significantly fewer
friends (less than one-half) than their less apprehensive

counterparts (Jones & Russell, 1982; McCroskey &

Richmond, 1985). In social gatherings high CAs avoid
communication and seem to others to be anxious, aloof, or
unfriendly, behaviors that do not encourage social
contact. Hence, interaction is infrequent, the
interactions that occur are likely to be terminated
quickly, and the network that develops from such an
interaction style is likely to be small.

As relationships escalate, individual networks
shrink (Huston & Burgess, 1979; Huston & Levinger, 1978;
Levinger, 1977; Hilardo, 1982). Johnson and Leslie's

(1982) withdrawal hypothesis explains this result by

arguing that societal “PAESIEXQIt-pressuretQ increase“ _.

w

[relational involvement, while constraining involvement
with others. Consequently, there is a tendency to.
decrease interaction with alternative members, regardless
5- of their romantic potential. Time and SQQEQXIMI.
constraints, rather than societal norms, are alternative
pressures that may lead to the same result (Boissevain,
1974; Johnson 5 Leslie, 1982; Milardo, Johnson & Huston,
1983). Investments of time and energy in a romantic or
marital partner reduce the time and energy available to
interact with others.

As the size of individual networks is decreasing, ”
the relational or joint network is expanding (Huston &
Burgess, 1979; Huston & Levinger, 1978; Levinger, 1977;
Milardo, 1982). Network overlap is defined as "the

degree to which members of a relational partner's (A's)

network are linked to members of his or her partner's

(B's) network” (Kim, 1989, p. 9). So, Milardo et al.

 

(1983) report that in the early stages offiamrglatignship~
there are more frequent intetgqtignsafor longer periods
of time with close personal friends, intermediate friends
and acquaintances. Conversely, as relatibnships develop,
the frequency and duration of partners' interactions with
their individual network decrease, while the frequency
and duration of interaction in the overlappIng network
increases (Hilardo et al., 1983). Consistent with these
claims, Kim (1989) found that relational development was
correlated positively with increasing involvement in the
other partner's social network or overlapping network.
Network overlap can be expected to exert a
substantial effect on relational satisfaction because it
promotes behavioral interdependence. "Interdependence
refers to the effects interacting persons have on each
other" (Kelley, 1979, p. 13). The degree of behavioral
interdependence in romantic or married couples is
indicated by the attitudes and thoughts they have for
each other, the way the two view their social world, and
how they interact in that world. Interdependent couples
feel that practical and emotional aspects of their
relationship depend upon the other partner. In addition,
they see their friends and general social life to be

something they choose and take part in together. Through

interdependence, a couple establishes their social

identity as a pair and seeks out events and people that
are consistent with this joint identity. In other words:
as pairs become mutually involved, they develop
a jointly-held orientation toward themselves, a
jointly-held orientation to their social
environment, and a jointly-held network of
relations and a jointly-held network of relations
that reflect the pair's interdependence with
one another and their social enviornment
(Milardo, 1982, p. 164).
Thus, an increase in relational interdependence produces
an increase in network overlap.

Network overlap also promotes relational
satisfaction by fostering the perception of common
friends as a relational reward and the loss of common
friends as a relational cost.

As relational partners become aware that emotional,

social and instrumental needs of each other and the

network members are dependent upon their

relationship, they will find it increasingly harder

to break their relationship (Forgas, 1985, p. 112).
The possible loss of the overlapping network can become
soaversive that the anticipation of its loss, due to_a
divorce or break up, can loom as a barrier to
ldissolution.

Marital satisfaction is an important predictor of
marital stability. High marital satisfaction is
associated with a stable marriage, and low marital
satisfaction is associated with an unstable marriage
(Hudson & Glisson, 1976). Overlapping networks can add
to the satisfaction of a marriage by reducing uncertainty

and promoting interdependence, and these forces may

increase one's commitment to a significant other in times

of relational crisis (Parks & Adelman, 1983).
Conversely, if a dyad does not have a strong overlapping
network, the members may seek relational disengagement
more readily when problems arise. Although the divorce
literature has not examined this possibility in depth, a
strong overlapping social network may provide the
necessary insurance for a stable marriage, and may
decrease the risk of divorce or increase the level of

marital satisfaction or both:

Hypothesis One: As the size of a
couple's overlapping network increases,
their level of marital satisfaction

increases.

The second hypothesis of this study stems from the
link between communication apprehension and social
networks. This link and its subsequent link to divorce
have yet to be examined empirically, but because an
increase in CA has been found to increase avoidance in
social settings, the size of a social network should be

negatively affected. Thus:

Hypothesis Two: As communication apprehension
increases, the size of one's

personal social network decreases.

In turn, if high CA yields a smaller and weaker
individual social network, then network overlap of a
marital dyad should decrease as well. As this network

overlap decreases, marital satisfaction should decrease

as well. Thus:

Hypothesis Three: The higher the communication
apprehension of one or both partners of a marital

dyad, the lower their marital satisfaction.

CHAPTER TWO

METHOD

Remnants.

The respondents for this study were 100 married couples
living in student housing at a large midwestern
university. Potential volunteers were recruited through
random digit dialing. Persons were asked if they and
their spouses would complete a questionnaire; anonymity
was guaranteed. If they agreed, two scales and a
questionnaire were sent to them. If they declined, they

were thanked for their time and contact was terminated.

lnstmmentatien

In order to test the three hypotheses, four different
items were measured: (1) communication apprehension (2)
marital satisfaction (3) network size and (4) network
overlap.

(1) Communication Apprehension. The Personal Report of
Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24) was used (McCroskey,
1982). The scale was designed to test trait CA in four
communication contexts: dyadic, group, meeting and
public speaking. Thus, it consists of four subscales,
which can be combined to measure the global CA construct.

The instrument consistently has yielded reliability
9

10

estimates above .90. In addition, the construct has
consistently been shown to exhibit construct validity.
For example, McCroskey, Daly and Sorenson (1976) found
that CA is positively correlated with general anxiety and
negatively correlated with tolerance for ambiguity, self-
control, adventurousness, surgency and emotional
maturity. Significant correlations were also found
between CA and dogmatism, external control orientation,
trustfulness and Machiavellianism (positive
relationships) and dominance, confidence and need to
achieve (negative relationships). No relationships were
observed between CA and intelligence, sophistication,
self-sufficiency and sensitivity.

(2) Marital Satisfaction and Commitment. The Index of
Marital Satisfaction (IMS) (Hudson & Glisson, 1976) is a
25-item scale that purports to measure the feelings of
the respondents about attitudes, behaviors, and events
occurring within their marital relationship, and thus,
characterizes the degree of discord or dissatisfaction in
the marital relationship.

IMS split-half reliabilities were found to be .96
(Hudson & Glisson, 1976). In addition, the construct has
consistently been shown to exhibit construct validity.
Hudson and Glisson (1976) found that marital
dissatisfaction is positively associated with depression
and marital discord and negatively associated with self-

esteem, sexual satisfaction and marital adjustment.

11

(3) Network Size and Overlap. Similar to Parks &
Adelman (1983), Milardo (1982) and Johnson & Leslie
(1982), individiuals were asked to list as many non-kin
people as they could to whom they felt closest. Both
marital partners generated their own personal lists, and
after completion the lists were scored for the amount of
network overlap between the couple and the size of each
individual network. The former was measured by counting
the number of people listed on both partners' lists.
The latter was measured by counting how many people each

individual had on their personal list.

AnaIXSia
What is expected to be found is as follows:

Hypothesis One: The more overlapping members in a
couple's networks, the higher their marital
dissatisfaction scores (IMS scale). Thus, these
variables should correlate positively and substantially.

Hypothesis Two: The higher an individual scores on
the PRCA-24 scale, the smaller should be his or her
personal social network. Thus, these two variables are
expected to correlate negatively and substantially.

Hypothesis Three: The higher the CA of one or both
members of the dyad, the greater their marital
dissatisfaction. Thus, these variables are expected to

correlate positively and substantially.

CHAPTER THREE

RESULTS

Communication apprehension was distributed normally
with a mean of 63.98 and a standard deviation of 17.32.
The reliability of this measure was estimated by
Cronbach's alpha, and found to be .95.

The distribution of marital satisfaction was skewed
negatively and leptokurtic. The mean score was 104.77,
and the standard deviation was 15.41. Coefficient alpha
was .94.

The mean number of friends listed as comprising
one's social network was 3.74 with a standard deviation
of 2.72. The distribution of this variable was both
skewed postively and leptokurtic.

The mean number of friends listed by both members
of a couple, the network overlap measure, was 1.10, and
the standard deviation of this measure was 1.47. This
measure was also skewed positively and leptokurtic.

To examine the first hypothesis, marital
satisfaction was regressed onto network overlap.
Inspection of the resulting scatterplot indicated no
evidence of nonlinearity. Consistent with the first
hypothesis, a statistically significant and substantial

correlation of .33 between these variables was obtained

12

13

(t=4.85; df=188; p < .01; one-tailed test).

To test the second hypothesis, individual network
size was regressed onto communication apprehension.
Inspecting the scatterplot of the relationship between
these variables showed no evidence of nonlinearity.
Consistent with the second hypohtesis, a statistically
significant correlation between these variables was found
(rs-.13; t=-1.81; df=188 p < .05; one-tailed test).

To assess the third hypothesis, marital
satisfaction was regressed onto communication
apprehension. Again, inspection of the relevant
scatterplot indicated no evidence of nonlinearity. A
statistically significant correlation between these two
variables was obtained (r=-.25; t=-3.58; df=198; p < .01;
one-tailed test); thus, the data are consistent with this
hypothesis as well.

Because both network overlap and communication
apprehension were important predictors of marital
satisfaction, it is necessary to assess whether or not
each effect remains when controlling for the other
'predictor, and if so, to measure their combined impact on
marital satisfaction. To this end, a multiple regression
analysis was performed in which marital satisfaction was
regressed onto both network overlap and communication

apprehension. The results of this analysis indicated

 

that network overlap remained an important predictor of

 

 

 

marital satisfaction when controlling for the impact of

I" ‘_ _ .—e——nr——- ..,

‘N-

l4

______ _
__——-

communication_apprehension (B=.34; t=5.06; df=l87; p <

 

.01; one-tailed test), communication apprehension
remained an important predictor of marital satisfaction
when controlling for network overlap (B=-.20; t=-2.90;
df=l87; p < .01; one-tailed test), and both independent
variables combined to have a substantial effect on
marital satisfaction (R=.39; F=16.42; df=2 8 187; p <
.01).

CHAPTER FOUR

DISCUSSION

The first hypothesis asserted that the greater

- -0...
—~_._
-..-.
9'. -—..

the amount of network overlap between a couple' 3 personal

-vWfi- __‘_ a-v'

social networks, the greater their level of marital

____7#_1.____.__.—

satisfaction, and the data are consistent with this

W.-

hypothesis, a correlation of .33 being obtained between

these two variables. This result indicates that the

E .._.._.._1 ..

 

greater the overlap between a couple's personal social

”hi ____,,,_-_ _ . huh..- - .h-._—.M-.¢-u ah_-fi __ __._._-___-_‘_ "‘__ 'NE* W.
‘.———--‘
w+— o-—-

networks, the _greater the_ir marital satisfaction. It is

f- -——— —-+m‘____._~.-. ..H,._ ______, _. ~.,___ _

possible that a couple sharing friends also share similar

M.-

values, interests and goals, variables that are known to

 

be strongpredictors of attraction.

It is also possible that by sharing friends a couple

is able to spend more time together. Time spent engaging

 

in pleasant activities withrewarding others is likely to
increase the quantity of positive interactions with one's
spouse, and thereby, enhance marital satisfaction.

The second hypothesis posited that as the level of

W "m
communication apprehension increases, the size of one' s

“‘Ffi-AJM1#HHF‘-

 

‘_.___ .
L--~w—————M/ '-

personal social network decreases, and the data are

_‘_._.._.-—.F._—.....—___._._..-

consistent with it. A correlation of -.13 was obtained
between these two variables, indicating that one has

fewer friends if one' 3 level of communication

15

16

apprehension is high than if it is low. It appears that

ff

persons apprehensive about communicating find it more
difficult not only to intiate, but also _tQ“maintain a,

friendship. “Because the development and maintenance of aiytjé’)

personal social network requires_and demands

communication, people uncomfortable speaking with others_

have a smaller network. Conversely, people who are not
fearful of communicating find it less challenging to seek
out and develop a friendship, thereby creating a
relatively larger social network.

The third hypothesis asserted that the higher the

level of communication apprehension of one or both
partners, the less satisfaction a couple would experience
in their marriage, and the data are consistent with it.

A correlation of -.25 was obtained between these two

variables indicating that the higher the level of

communication apprehension of one or both spouses, the

'.1 -~.__.__.-
~

less satisfied they are with their marital relationship.

“-Hm—ovv #—

Consistent with the findings from the second hypothesis,

one possible explanation is that persons with high levels

.7-‘Jad-‘F

 

__—_.—t—_H .

 

hM——_—e,—_Ps .._..._

social networks, leading to two conditions that may

 

result indecreased marital satisfaction. First, with

 

smaller personal social networks marital partners have
few people other than their spouse with whom to
interact. Such a couple experiences an unnatural amount

of dependence on each other. Not only would the partners

17

rely on each other for the love and intimacy exclusive to
marriage, but they would depend on each other for
everything that friendships usually can satisfy. This
inordinate amount of dependence on one person can produce
role strain (Goode, 1960), and dissatisfaction within the
marriage would be the expected result.

Second, if persons with high levels of communication
apprehension have smaller personal social networks, then
they have less of a pool to overlap with their spouse's
network. As shown previously, a couple's overlapping
network contributes significantly to the satisfaction
they experience within their marriage. If one or both
partners have an extremely small personal social network,
then there can be little overlap.

Another explanation for the finding that high levels of
communication apprehension are associated with less
marital satisfaction is that these individuals may
experience discomfort communicating with their mate in
addition to communicating with others. If marital
partners find_it difficultto_communicatewwith_their
spouse; then it is possible that”marita1_conflicteis—not
managed effectively. Themlack of conflictfmanaging
communication may leadto a reduction in satisfaction.‘"

LUIThese are the basic findings of the study, but should be
judged with knowledge of the limitations that may exist.

First, the sample for the study was taken from a large,

midwestern university's student housing village. Due to

18

the size of the university, among other factors, the
population of international students is high. Because
different cultures have different communication styles
and patterns, the role communication apprehension played
may have been affected. For instance, Asians may be more
reticent to communicate with others, including their
spouse, because of their cultural norms, rather than
because they do not have the desire or the capacity to
communicate. In addition, familiarity with the English
language may be limited, and higher levels of
communication apprehension may be present due to their
uneasiness with the English language and the lack of
people available to converse with in their native
language. Future research may be well served by
replicating the study with other samples composed of more
homogeneous subjects.

Second, many variables have been associated with
marital satisfaction. As mentioned in the literature
review, homogeneity in religion, age, and birth order are
among only a few of the factors documented to affect
marital satisfaction. Communication apprehension, the
size of one's personal network and the amount of a
couple's network overlap do influence marital
satisfaction, but additional factors may continue to
influence this relationship. Future research could
profit by selecting variables with proven relationships

to marital satisfaction, such as those listed above, and

19

controlling for them. By controlling for these variables
the impact of such things as communication apprehension,
size of one's personal social network and amount of
network overlap can be assessed with greater accuracy.

Third, the study was based on correlational data. Due
to the nature of such data, cause and effect is difficult
to determine. Future research may benefit from
replicating the study longitudinally. By looking at the
impact of such variables over time, it is easier to make
strong causal inferences.

In addition, future research may want to examine an
individual's and a couple's unique communication styles
and patterns, in order to assess what part they may play
in the proposed relationships. For instance, a couple
whose communication style does not include voicing
conflict may show the same level of marital satisfaction
as a couple that encourages sharing differing opinions,
due to the type of style they have deemed appropriate and
acceptable. Were this information available, more
insight into their level of communication apprehension,
their marital satisfaction, and network overlap would

result.

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