DOI:10.6129/CJP.202212_64(4).0004
Chinese Journal of Psychology 2022, Vol.64, No.4, 493-514
Cross-Cultural Identified Affect Coding System for Observing Marital Affective Interaction in Taiwan
Yi-Jen Lu(Mental Health and Counseling Center/ Institute of Education, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University), Shu-Chuan Chen(Department of Nursing, National Tainan Junior College of Nursing), Yu-Ping Chen(Department of Counseling and Guidance, National University of Tainan), Mei-Feng Lin(College of Medicine, Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University)
Abstract
The Specific Affect Coding System (SPAFF), developed by Gottman, has been used to predict the stability of a marriage by observing interaction and emotional expression between couples. In recent observational studies of couples, the SPAFF has been recognized as the best evidence of construct and criterion validity. However, habitual behaviors derived from traditional Chinese culture, such as discouraging expression, indirect communication, and emotion suppression, may impede exploration in emotional expression. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the construct of emotional expression and reflect the essence of couple interaction through observational approaches. The aims of this study were to develop a culturally validated Chinese version of the SPAFF (SPAFF-C-24) and examine its appropriateness for use in marital and couple studies in Taiwan. Using a methodology that combines translational study, expert panel review, and small-scale study with 20 couple dyads, we established the reliability and validity of the SPAFF-C-24 through expert validity, inter-rater reliability, and criteria-related validity. The SPAFF-C-24 was reviewed by 10 experts, who found that the Content Validity Index (CVI) ranged from .79~ .96, indicating a reliable instrument with good content validity. Throughout the coder training with 20 couples in a small-scale study, the mean consistency between two coders with the agreement score in husbands and wives were .82 and .70, respectively. The mean inter- rater stability with Kappa values in husbands and wives were .53 and .57, respectively. Acceptable coding stability was thus endorsed with the overall agreement of 85.4% and its stability with a mean Kappa value of .55 among coders. In the criteria-related validity, the negative/neutral emotional aspects of the SPAFF-C-24 were significantly correlated with the scores in the Brief Version of Chinese Marital Affection Scale, Marital Quality Scale, and Couple Interaction Scale. Nevertheless, only partial correlations were identified between positive emotional aspects of the SPAFF-C-24 and those aforementioned subscales. In conclusion, the newly derived SPAFF-C-24 could be used to observe affective expressiveness among Chinese couples in Taiwan. However, the appropriateness of added codes and positive affects in the SPAFF-C-24 requires further validation through a large-scale study.
Keywords: culturally identified translational study, martial and couple studies, Specific Affect Coding System
