ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the nature of dyadic coping in German couples. The systemic-transactional model (STM) of dyadic coping postulates that dyadic coping is influenced not only by individual and dyadic appraisals, but also by intra- and interpersonal factors. In individualistic cultures, people are independently oriented with a focus on themselves, not on a group of people, and these individuals follow mainly personal goals and values in life. People in individualistic societies value personal achievements and individual rights. Thus, couple communication and dyadic coping seem to be important factors for German couple's relationship stability. In contrast to most previous research, where individual coping was conceptualized as independent, theoretical, and empirical, considerations in this study point to the synergistic relationship of individual and dyadic coping and their determination of relationship satisfaction. An example of a psychosocial intervention program is the 'Side-by-Side' program. The program is built on the assumption that dyadic coping skills are crucial for couples coping with chronic illness.
