The subject of divorce has been the topic of multiple research studies over the course of many years. Take a look at this model for relationship breakdowns.
Do you think this Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation model has merit? Why or why not?
The Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation Model and Its Merit in Understanding Divorce
The subject of divorce has been extensively researched over the years, with various models developed to explain the complexities of relationship breakdowns. One such model, the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) model, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how marriages succeed or fail. The VSA model suggests that marital outcomes are influenced by enduring vulnerabilities, external stressors, and adaptive processes (Karney & Bradbury, 1995). This essay argues that the VSA model holds significant merit in explaining relationship breakdowns due to its ability to integrate multiple factors contributing to marital stability or dissolution.
The VSA model posits that three primary factors—vulnerabilities, stressors, and adaptive processes—interact to determine marital satisfaction and longevity. Enduring vulnerabilities include personality traits, past experiences, and psychological disorders that individuals bring into the marriage. These factors can predispose partners to relationship difficulties, particularly when faced with significant stressors such as financial hardship, health issues, or job loss. External stressors, whether acute (e.g., sudden job loss) or chronic (e.g., ongoing financial strain), can exacerbate tensions between partners, testing their coping mechanisms (Randall & Bodenmann, 2017). The final component, adaptive processes, refers to the ways couples manage stress and conflict. Effective communication, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation can mitigate the impact of stressors and vulnerabilities, whereas maladaptive responses can lead to deterioration in relationship quality.
One of the strongest aspects of the VSA model is its dynamic nature, which recognizes that marital quality is not static but evolves over time. Research supports the model’s claim that couples with higher resilience and strong adaptive processes are better equipped to handle stress and maintain marital satisfaction (Neff & Karney, 2017). Additionally, it highlights the interplay between individual and contextual factors rather than reducing marital success or failure to a single cause. Unlike static models that focus solely on personality traits or initial compatibility, the VSA model acknowledges that external pressures and coping strategies significantly influence relationship trajectories.
However, critics argue that the VSA model does not fully account for individual agency in decision-making regarding marital dissolution. Some researchers suggest that personal choices, values, and individual growth play a more significant role than the model implies (Lavner et al., 2016). Moreover, while the model effectively explains why some marriages end in divorce, it does not necessarily provide clear interventions or strategies for improving marital satisfaction. Despite these critiques, the VSA model remains one of the most comprehensive frameworks for understanding marital breakdowns.
In conclusion, the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation model provides valuable insights into the complexities of relationship breakdowns by integrating psychological vulnerabilities, external stressors, and adaptive responses. Its merit lies in its holistic and dynamic approach to explaining why some marriages fail while others endure. While the model may not be entirely exhaustive, it serves as a strong foundation for further research and practical applications in marital counseling and therapy.
References
Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (1995). The longitudinal course of marital quality and stability: A review of theory, method, and research. Psychological Bulletin, 118(1), 3–34.
Lavner, J. A., Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (2016). Newlyweds’ stressful events, support, and changes in marital satisfaction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 110(1), 36–51.
Neff, L. A., & Karney, B. R. (2017). Stress and reactivity to daily relationship experiences: How stress hinders adaptive processes in marriage. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 112(1), 1–20.
Randall, A. K., & Bodenmann, G. (2017). Stress and its associations with relationship satisfaction. Current Opinion in Psychology, 13, 96–106.