ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the ways in which dyadic coping influences the adjustment of Australian couples and applies the systemic-transactional model (STM) in Australian couples, within a sample of Australian military couples. Relative to the twenty-seven member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Australia has a relatively high fertility rate, which is above the OECD average. Under Australian law, couples who live together for two years are of very similar status to married couples, with regards to financial and legal matters. Dyadic coping skills may prove especially useful for military couples, because they face a number of external stressors. Common dyadic coping involves the couple working together to overcome stressors, by developing potential strategies and deciding together on an appropriate solution. The chapter concludes by analyzing the implications of a dyadic coping focus for couple relationship education. The Couple CARE programs are similar to the Couple Coping Enhancement Training (CCET) of Bodenmann and Shantinath.
