Two Plus Two: Couples and Their Couple Friendships

Couple friendships have not been researched previously, despite their numerous benefits. Authors Geoffrey Greif and Kathleen Deal take an in-depth approach to this important topic. Based on interviews with more than 400 people—some of whom were interviewed with their partners, some who were interviewed alone, and some who have divorced—they find that couples fall into three general categories of making couple friendships: , , and . Drs. Greif and Deal discuss the different styles of interaction they've observed in couples as well as the findings from their research. Readings from their interviews illustrate what characteristics define . Couples at any stage of their relationship will get a fresh understanding of how to seek, foster and sustain positive, healthy friendships.