Communication

Abstract

Couples communicate with each other in many different ways, with words, acts and gestures establishing intimate connections between partners. How couples relate to each other is also central to how they communicate: partners can be best friends, lovers, soulmates and carers with such combinations characterising couples’ different repertoires of love. Where silence and non-disclosure feature as part of a relationship, these are not necessarily acts of concealment but may be an attempt to protect a partner. Not all communication is, however, affirming, with lying and arguing sometimes becoming intractable aspects of couples’ past, present and future lives together. Maintaining communication and negotiating conflict represent crucial relationship work and play key roles in couples’ everyday management of differences and disputes.