Description

The Relationship Between Conflict, Communication, and Sex is a self-report research questionnaire used by Tammy Lowery Zacchilli in her 2007 doctoral dissertation. It was developed to examine the associations among conflict, communication, sexual behavior, and satisfaction within romantic relationships, primarily among individuals currently or recently involved in a dating relationship.

Rather than functioning as a single psychometric scale, it represents a composite research instrument incorporating demographic questions and measures related to different aspects of romantic relationship functioning.

Aim

The instrument aims to investigate how the frequency and intensity of conflict relate to communication quality, sexual experiences, and overall relationship satisfaction. It also examines constructive and dysfunctional conflict-management patterns and the role of demographic and relationship characteristics in these associations.

Data Analysis and Use

Data may be analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability testing, and correlations among the individual dimensions. Multiple regression, mediation analysis, or structural equation modeling may be employed to examine predictive relationships.

When data are collected from both partners, dyadic analysis is preferable because their responses cannot be considered statistically independent. The instrument may be used in research on romantic relationships, couples counseling, and sexual health. However, it is not an independent diagnostic measure.

Scoring

Responses are recorded primarily through Likert-type scales and fixed-response options. Each dimension should be scored separately after reverse-coding negatively or oppositely worded items where required.

Higher scores do not have a uniform meaning across the complete questionnaire. Depending on the section, they may indicate more frequent conflict, more effective communication, or greater sexual and relationship satisfaction. Therefore, calculating a single overall score is not recommended without the original scoring instructions. No universally accepted diagnostic cut-off scores have been established.

References

Zacchilli, T. L. (2007). The relationship between conflict and communication, sex, relationship satisfaction, and other relational variables in dating relationships [Doctoral dissertation, Texas Tech University]. Texas Tech University Libraries.

Gottman, J. M. (1999). The seven principles for making marriage work. Crown Publishers.

Johnson, S. M. (2004). The practice of emotionally focused couple therapy: Creating connection (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.