Decision-making power, autonomy, and communication in remarried spouses compared with first-married spouses

The current study evaluated differences between remarried and first-married individuals in communication and standards for autonomy and decision-making po ver using self-report data from III remarried and III matched first-married spouses. Remarried spouses endorsed more autonomous standards in childrearing and finances. Also, remarried women endorsed greater autonomy regarding friendships and family. These standards for greater autonomy were not related to marital distress. No differences were found in standards for marital decision-making power. Remarried spouses did not report more avoidance in communication about marital problems, and avoidance of problem discussion vas related to marital distress for both groups.