An Analysis of the Gottman-Relationships With Eating Disorders Pilot Study Through the Lens of Perceptual Congruence

Abstract

This dissertation explored the effects of the Gottman-Relationships With Eating Disorders (RED) intervention on perceptual congruence, accommodating and enabling behaviors, eating disorder behaviors and attitudes, and relationship satisfaction among couples where one partner has an eating disorder. Data were collected from 24 individuals in 12 couples who participated in the Gottman-RED pilot study. The study used archival data from a randomized wait-list control design, with each couple receiving 20 sessions of Gottman-RED couples counseling. Results showed no correlational relationship between accommodating and enabling and eating disorder behaviors and attitudes. Predictability between both variables was also not observed to be present. No significant differences in accommodating and enabling behaviors or eating disorder behaviors and attitudes were found between different eating disorder status groups, suggesting that both partners in the couple shared similar views on these issues throughout treatment. Although changes in perceptual congruence were not statistically significant, reductions in variance and standard deviation scores from pretest to posttest indicated improved alignment. Both partners experienced significant decreases in eating disorder behaviors and attitudes and accommodating and enabling behaviors following the intervention.