Examination of the effect of a marital symmetrical communication pattern and the amount of communication on problem-solving

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the qualities of family systems that are more capable of solving problems. In this study, we applied the schema of Integrated Information Theory (IIT), which explains the phenomenon of consciousness, to family research and tested the following hypothesis: higher symmetry leads to greater problem-solving ability in more communicative couples. We understood the couple's difference from the symmetry of their communication, and the couple's interaction from how much they communicate. We also distinguished between ordinary and problem contexts when investigating the difference and interaction in couples. The questionnaire survey was conducted to 312 married respondents (156 males, 156 females; average age 45.18 years). We took the couple's problem-solving ability as a dependent variable, and communication score, symmetry score, and an interaction term for both scores as independent variables, and performed hierarchical regression analysis for both ordinary and problem contexts respectively. As a result of this analysis, it was shown that, in ordinary contexts: (1) greater symmetry means greater solution-oriented attitude in more communicative couples; and (2) relationship-maintaining attitude is greater in more communicative and complementary couples. It was also shown that, in problem contexts: (1) solution-oriented attitude is greater in more communicative couples; and (2) complementary means greater relationship-maintaining attitude in more communicative couples. In the future, it will be necessary to test the hypothesis having controlled for the nature of the problem.