The Impact of Physical Health, Race, and Financial Status on Relational Satisfaction

Abstract

Relationship satisfaction is a subjective and global evaluation of a romantic relationship based on a sense of happiness, contentment, and fulfillment felt by a partner. Prior research demonstrates that relationship satisfaction can help mediate difficult life situations and stress and may contribute to a partner’s well-being and health. However, the literature examining partner-specific sources of relational satisfaction are lacking. Through a medical family therapy lens, this study examined women’s reported physical health’s impact on relational satisfaction. A total of 555 women in romantic relationships completed a survey with questions from the Medical Outcomes Study 20-Item Short-Form Health Survey and the Relationship Assessment Scale. A hierarchical linear regression indicated that physical health, race, and financial status were significant predictors of relational satisfaction. Findings highlight the importance of physical health’s impacts on relational satisfaction and provide clinical implications and future directions on strengthening couples’ relational satisfaction.