Couple conflict and couple positivity were assessed as separate constructs during Wave 1 using seven- and four-item scales for each construct, respectively. Example conflict items included: During the past month when you and your partner have spent time talking or doing things together, how often did your partner “Get angry at you,” “Argue with you whenever you disagreed about something,” and “Shout, yell, or scream at you.” The couple positivity measure shared the same stem and included items such as “Let you know he/she really cares about you” and “Act loving and affectionate toward you.” All items were scored on a scale that ranged from 1 (never) to 7 (always). For both couple conflict and couple positivity, mothers and fathers completed the scales twice: once with reference to their partner’s behavior toward them and a second time with reference to their own behavior toward their partner. Thus, each measure comprised four scales—both father and mother reporting on self and other behavior. Regarding couple conflict, each seven-item scale showed good internal consistency (α = .89–.84) and the four scales had a
