ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a system for rating interactive behaviors during joint storytelling. It examines the theory and research on storytelling and sense-making, and then describes the rating system and the rating process. Each of these coding/rating systems contains a collaboration dimension for analyzing couples' stories and, in combination with research on sense-making, points toward some important process dimensions for storytelling. In looking at interaction patterns among the different stories, engagement, turn-taking, perspective-taking, and coherence emerged as relevant dimensions of joint process. In addition to providing an opportunity to test the reliability of the rating system, the stories also allowed family to assess the relationship between joint narrative behavior and family qualities and outcomes. Given that family stories are avenues for affecting and reflecting family identity and culture, further use of this rating system in families across different topics and contexts may provide insight into how to maintain satisfying and productive family relationships.
