Assertiveness in Marital Relationships Among Asian Indians in the United States

Abstract

The article is aimed at a clarification and psychometric treatment of the concept of assertiveness in marital relationships among Asian Indians in the United States by reporting a study that attempted to operationally define the concept of assertiveness through indicators grouped under courage, authenticity, and autonomy. The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase focused on identifying a scale of assertiveness consisting of items under the three indicators through a review of selected literature and having them evaluated and ranked by a set of judges who were knowledgeable in the field. The scale was then empirically tested during the second phase in a setting consisting of Asian Indian couples to check its reliability and validity. The study provided a meaningful understanding of how couples in a cross-cultural context express assertiveness in various ways. The study has implications for marriage and family counseling and for future research on assertiveness.