Vita relazionale ed emozioni nelle coppie in fase di pensionamento e/o nido vuoto

The present research, which is developed within the context of partnership functionality studies, has investigated the relational style, emotions and well being in the empty nest and/or retired married couples. The sample was composed by 68 couple living in the North of Italy. A semistructured interview, a genogram, a three self-report instruments - the Dyadic Relational Test (Cusinato, 1997) based on the Selfhood Model of L'Abate (1995), the Partner Quality Test (Cusinato, Segatto & Fabrizio, 1996), assessing marital satisfaction, and the Family Differential-Emotional Scale (Cusinato, Maino, Aceti, 1998) - were administrated to the couples. No negative effects are detected in the perception of the partner and in the functioning of partner's relationship, although husband seemed to feel more positive emotion. Having grandchildren, illness and good social relations are underline as positive factor.