What does the Dyadic Adjustment Scale measure in Gottman's assessment?

• A. It measures communication frequency
• B. It measures the level of commitment and potential for divorce
• C. It measures sexual satisfaction
• D. It measures financial harmony

Answer: (B)

The Dyadic Adjustment Scale measures how well a couple functions together—their overall relationship quality and satisfaction, including aspects like agreement, cohesion, and affectional expression. In Gottman’s assessments, it serves as a global index of dyadic adjustment: higher scores reflect stronger functioning and lower risk of dissolution, while lower scores indicate distress and greater risk for divorce. Among the options, describing it as measuring the level of commitment and potential for divorce best captures its practical implication in this context, since the scale is about overall stability of the relationship rather than just a single facet like how often they communicate, sexual satisfaction, or financial harmony.