Marital Enhancement through Cognitive Self-Disclosure (or Intimacy and Marriage)
One of the first working theories on what it takes to make a successful marriage was developed by Edward Waring. He is a therapist, focusing on marital intimacy. The theory, he has developed based on the study research, is that marital intimacy improves quality of the couple’s relationship and enhances the couple’s functionality as a family. And he believes that the best way to increase interpersonal intimacy is through cognitive self-disclosure. Waring’s lists definition for intimacy, including proposed eight different dimensions in his book, published in 1988. 1. The Conflict Resolution: how easily couples can resolve differences of opinion. 2. Affection: defines the degree of emotional closeness the couple expresses. 3. Cohesion: the feeling that both couples are committed to the marriage. 4. Sexuality: how much sexual needs are communicated and fulfilled in the marriage. 5. Identity: describes the couple’s level of self-confidence and self-esteem. 6. Compatibility: the degree coupl...