ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses characteristics of the Greek culture that might be of relevance to the study of dyadic coping. It presents preliminary findings from a study that examined dyadic coping and how it is related to relationship satisfaction and psychological distress among Greek couples. The chapter examines how Greek couples cope with a variety of stressors, including health and economic stressors, at the individual level. Greece has been described as being in the middle position between individualistic and collectivist cultures. Recent studies comparing Greek and UK students on issues of self-construal and social support suggest that Greece continues to be characterized by collectivist values when compared to Western European countries. The dyadic coping inventory (DCI) is a valid instrument for assessing dyadic coping behaviors in Greek couples. Use of the systemic transactional model and the DCI in local studies promote the development of suitable and effective intervention programs.
