Topic Avoidance, Everyday Talk, and Stress in Romantic Military and Non-Military Couples

Abstract

Relationships are increasingly impacted by military involvement, necessitating a deeper understanding of communication within these couples. This study examined perceptions of everyday talk, topic avoidance, and stress of participants romantically involved with (a) a military partner (n = 118) or (b) a non-military partner (n = 94). Couple types avoided similar topics, but non-military partners avoided these topics more frequently than military partners. Both couple types engaged in everyday talk, but military partners found this communicative exchange to be more important. Non-military partners experienced greater stress than military partners, and communication was predictive of the stress experienced. The results of this study highlight similarities and differences in romantic couples and reveal areas in which relationship education can address these communicative nuances of military couples.

Keywords:

• Everyday Talk
• Military
• Romantic
• Stress
• Topic Avoidance

Acknowledgments

A portion of this study has been presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Communication Association, Baltimore, Maryland, 2010, and was awarded a top three paper award by the interpersonal interest group.

Notes

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brandi N. Frisby

Brandi N. Frisby (PhD, West Virginia University, 2010) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Kentucky.

Kerry Byrnes

Kerry Byrnes (PhD, West Virginia University, 2010) is a Professor of Communication at Collin County Community College, Spring Creek campus.

Daniel H. Mansson

Daniel H. Mansson (PhD, West Virginia University, 2011) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences at Penn State Hazleton.

Melanie Booth-Butterfield

Melanie Booth-Butterfield (PhD, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1985) is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.

Meagan K. Birmingham

Meagan K. Birmingham (MA, West Virginia University, 2009) was a master's student in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University at the time this study was conducted.