Marital Cohesion, Flexibility, and Communication in the Marriages of Nontraditional and Traditional Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare reported levels of marital quality, marital stability, and the marital processes of cohesion, flexibility, and communication in the marriages of nontraditional and traditional women. Selected data from the Marital Instability Over the Life Course Data Set were used. A subsample of 74 married women who were defined as nontraditional and a comparison group of 274 traditional women were selected according to their occupational status and gender role orientation. Nontraditional women included those reporting a nontraditional gender role orientation and employment in a professional or managerial position. Traditional women included those who reported a traditional gender role orientation and employment in a clerical, sales, service, or private household worker occupation. Results of repeated measures multivariate analysis of covariance indicated many similarities between the two groups; however, nontraditional women reported greater flexibility in their marriages. Implications of the findings for practice in clinical work with couples are addressed.