Increases In Marital Satisfaction Research Articles

Marital Satisfaction, Gender, and Active Social Engagement in Older Adults: Longitudinal Evidence From South Korea.

This study investigated the longitudinal association between marital satisfaction and active social engagement among older adults, while also considering potential gender differences in these associations. Seven waves of data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2019 were utilized (N = 2,568, aged 65 or older). Fixed-effects Poisson regression models were employed to account for unobserved individual-level confounders. To capture active social engagement comprehensively, multiple activity types including social interaction, physical activity, travel activity, and volunteer activity were considered. An interaction model was used to examine potential gender differences. The results of this study suggested that an individual's marital satisfaction is associated with an increase in their active social engagement. A one-standard deviation increase in marital satisfaction was associated with a 1.9%, 2.9%, 5.8%, and 18.1% higher incidence rate of engagement in social interaction, physical activity, travel activity, and volunteer activity, respectively, after accounting for individual-specific factors. The associations for social interaction and travel activity were largely driven by older men. In contrast, the associations for physical activity and volunteer activity were similar for older men and older women. Marital satisfaction plays a crucial role in fostering active social engagement among older adults. Interventions designed to address social and financial obstacles within marital relationships among older adults could effectively improve their health and well-being by promoting various types of activities. The impact of these interventions may differ based on gender and the specific types of activities involved.

The Effectiveness of Training Bowen's Family Therapy Approach on Marital Satisfaction of Married Women in the Aligodarz of City (In the West of Iran), in 2019

Introduction: Marital satisfaction is one of the most important signs of a favorable relationship between couples. This research aimed to survey the effectiveness of training using Bowen's family therapy approach on marital satisfaction of married women in the city of Aligodarz (In the west of Iran).
 Method: This study was a quasiexperi mental study using a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of counseling applicant married women in the city of Aligodarz in 2019. By convenience sampling, 30 married women were selected and participated in this study. After recording the subjects' scores in the pre-test stage, the experimental group was exposed to the intervention (training course), but no operations were performed on the control group. Data gathering was carried out using a demographic questionnaire and ENRICH marital satisfaction scale. Frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation indices were used to describe and Chi-square test was used to examine the homogeneity of the two groups in terms of study variables and multivariate analysis of covariance were performed in SPSS 24 software with a significancel level of 5%.
 Results: Descriptive findings showed that the mean (standard deviation) of the total score of the marital satisfaction variable in the pre-test and post-test stages was 131.60 (26.89) and 142.81 (25.24) in the experimental group and 132.66 (24.09) and 132.26 (21.92) in the control group, respectively. The inferential findings showed that Bowen's family therapy approach has a significant effect on some of the dimensions of marital satisfaction (religious orientation, equality of women and men, children and parenting, sexual relation, financial management, conflict resolution, and marital satisfaction) (p< 0.05). On the other hand, this approach was not practical in improving other aspects of marital satisfaction (relationship with family and friends, leisure time, marital relationship, personality issues, and contractual responses) (p> 0.05).
 Conclusion: The present study results showed an increase in marital satisfaction of married women using the Bowen family therapy approach. Therefore, it is recommended to use Bowen's family therapy approach to improve women's marital satisfaction with family problems.
  

Mate-retention behaviors mediate the association between spouses' attachment insecurity and subsequent partner satisfaction

Partner defection for attractive alternatives is a notable threat to relationships. Intimates' attachment insecurity likely influences the behaviors they engage in to combat this threat. Whereas attachment anxiety is likely positively associated with mate-retention frequency, attachment avoidance is likely negatively associated with mate-retention frequency. Moreover, given the partner-directed nature of mate-retention behaviors, such behaviors may subsequently impact intimates' partners. We examined these possibilities in one cross-sectional study of young adults and one dyadic, 3-year longitudinal study of newlywed couples. We also explored potential sex differences in each of these associations. Across both studies, men's and women's attachment anxiety was positively associated with their cost-inflicting mate retention whereas their attachment avoidance was negatively associated with their benefit-provisioning mate retention. Study 2 further demonstrated that the partners of more (versus less) anxiously attached people experienced declines in marital satisfaction over time that was due, in part, to being the target of more frequent cost-inflicting behaviors (though these effects only trended toward significance among wives), and the partners of more (versus less) avoidantly attached people experienced increases in marital satisfaction over time that was due, in part, to being the target of fewer cost-inflicting behaviors. Implications and future directions of research are discussed.

Two for one? Effects of a couples intervention on partners of persons with Type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

To compare the outcomes of partners who participated in a telephone couples behavioural intervention to improve glycaemic control in persons with Type 2 diabetes with those of untreated partners of participants in an individual intervention or education; to explore 'ripple effects', i.e. positive behaviour changes seen in untreated partners. The Diabetes Support Project was a three-arm randomized telephone intervention trial comparing outcomes of couples calls (CC), individual calls (IC) and diabetes education calls (DE). Couples included one partner with Type 2 diabetes and HbA1c ≥58mmol/mol (7.5%). All arms received self-management education (two calls). CC and IC arms participated in 10 additional behaviour change calls. CC included partners, emphasizing partner communication, collaboration and support. Blinded assessments were performed at 4, 8 and 12 months. Partner outcomes were psychosocial (diabetes distress, relationship satisfaction, depressive symptoms), medical (BMI, blood pressure) and behavioural (fat intake, activity). Partners' (N=268) mean age was 55.8years, 64.6% were female and 29.9% were from minority ethnic groups. CC (vs. IC and DE) partners had greater reductions in diabetes distress, greater increases in marital satisfaction (4 and 8 months), and some improvements in diastolic BP. There were no consistent differences among arms in other outcomes. There was no evidence of a dietary or activity behaviour ripple effect on untreated partners, i.e. comparing partners in the IC and DE arms. A collaborative couples intervention resulted in significant improvements in partner diabetes distress and relationship satisfaction. There were no consistent effects on behavioural or medical partner outcomes, and no evidence of diet or activity behaviour ripple effects, suggesting that partners should be targeted directly to achieve these changes. (Clinical Trial Registry No: NCT01017523).

Giving or receiving spouse care and marital satisfaction among older Korean individuals.

Health challenges are expected in later life, but they may place older married adults in Korea at greater risk than in the past due to increasing risks of extended morbidity associated with a longer lifespan, and limited availability of traditional long-term care provided by children in an extended family context. As spouse care has become more prevalent among older adults, the present study examined whether provision or receipt of spouse care might be differentially associated with marital quality for men and women, and whether availability of care from adult children (i.e., sons, daughters, or children-in-law) might moderate the association between receipt of spouse care and marital satisfaction. The analytic sample was drawn from five waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (2006-2014), consisting of married individuals, with both age 60 years or older at Wave 1. For analyses, multilevel models were estimated using SAS PROC MIXED. Findings showed that first, for men, becoming a caregiver for their wife was associated with a small increase in marital satisfaction; the transition to spouse caregiving was associated with a decline in marital satisfaction for women. Secondly, transitioning to receiving spouse care was associated with a decline in marital satisfaction among men, but an increase in marital satisfaction for women. Third, new care from daughters in the form of (I)ADL assistance was associated with a benefit to marital satisfaction among men and women who began to receive care from their spouses. Overall, findings highlighted Korean families in transition. Marriage might fare better in a more recent form of family care-husbands providing care for their wives. In addition, daughters might play a bigger role in family care now compared to daughters-in-law, the designated provider of family care under the Confucian patriarchal system.

Disclosure and holding back: Communication, psychological adjustment, and marital satisfaction among couples coping with osteoarthritis.

This study examined two types of illness-related communication (disclosure and holding back) and their associations with psychological adjustment and marital satisfaction in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and their spouses. A sample of 142 couples reported on disclosure and holding back of OA-related concerns, marital satisfaction, and depressive symptoms at two time points across 1 year. Results from dyadic analyses indicated that holding back was associated with decreases in one's own marital satisfaction for patients and spouses and increases in one's own depressive symptoms for spouses over 1 year. In addition, increases in disclosure were associated with increases in marital satisfaction for patients and spouses over time. Holding back and disclosure did not have significant interpersonal effects on the partner's psychological adjustment or marital satisfaction. These results provide support for the hypothesized intrapersonal effects of disclosure and holding back on marital satisfaction and psychological adjustment over time for both OA patients and their spouses, and highlight the importance of open communication for dyadic coping among couples dealing with chronic illness. (PsycINFO Database Record

The effects of grace interventions in church communities

Grace remains little studied though several recent studies have developed promising ways to measure grace. Here we report two studies involving grace interventions as part of an ongoing investigation of positive psychology in the context of Christian church communities, Study One used a crossover design in which two congregations were measured on grace and other variables at the outset, and again after phases one and two. One congregation received a grace intervention during phase one and the second during phase two. Results showed increased scores on grace but not an expected increase in marital satisfaction among married participants. Study Two used a similar design with two additional congregations to assess effects of a grace intervention on self-forgiveness. As expected, congregants receiving the grace intervention showed increases in trait self-forgiveness when compared to those in the wait-list.

Comparison of Three Methods of Existential Psychotherapy, Individual, Group and Combined To Increase Marital Satisfaction

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of three: individual group and combined methods of psychotherapy based on the existential approach, in order to compare the increase in marital satisfaction of married women. The method used by the authors of this study was the Single Subject Assessment A-B. The statistical society of this study consisted of married women living in Mashhad’s 9th municipal district of Iran. The study’s sample selection followed a non-random-available method. Study’s tools consisted of demographic questionnaire, cognitive interviews and analog questions. Data analysis was conducted by means of presenting charts and graphs and clinical significance. Investigating the findings of analog questions indicated that combined method of existential psychotherapy is more effective in increasing marital satisfaction than group and individual existential therapy, and that group existential psychotherapy is more effective than individual existential therapy. Also, our follow up investigation, three months after the interventions showed that the effects of combined method of the end of therapy on married women lasted longer than individual and group methods of existential psychotherapy, also the effects of individual method of existential psychotherapy lasted longer than group method of existential therapy.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Imago Relationship Therapy: Exploring Statistical and Clinical Significance

ABSTRACTFor decades, couples around the world have used Imago relationship therapy (IRT) to improve their relationships. While anecdotal success stories abound, no randomized controlled trial of IRT's impact has been accomplished until now. The authors review the results of a randomized controlled trial of distressed, treatment-seeking couples who completed 12 sessions of IRT and the impact their involvement had on their marital satisfaction. Results showed that (a) individuals in the treatment condition experienced statistically significant increases in marital satisfaction, while couples in the control group did not; (b) levels of marital satisfaction did decrease significantly from posttreatment to follow-up but remained significantly higher than at pretreatment; (c) though statistically significant, the improvements experienced by the treatment group were not clinically significant improvements; and (d) while approximately one-third of participants achieved recovery during treatment, at the dyad level, only one couple achieved recovery. Further analysis and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Using Marital Status and Continuous Marital Satisfaction Ratings to Predict Depressive Symptoms in Married and Unmarried Women With Systemic Sclerosis: A Canadian Scleroderma Research Group Study.

Married persons have, on average, better mental health than nonmarried persons. Among married persons, marital satisfaction is associated with better mental health. Studies on mental health in married and nonmarried persons that consider marital satisfaction have categorized patients as satisfied versus unsatisfied, which reduces statistical power and does not generate clinically useful information on mental health across the satisfaction spectrum. Our objective was to demonstrate a novel regression approach to evaluate mental health in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc), comparing married and unmarried women, accounting for continuously measured marital satisfaction. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and marital satisfaction with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale-7. A single multiple linear regression model was used to predict CES-D scores from marital status and, among married women, continuously measured marital satisfaction, controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics. Of 725 women, 494 (68%) were married or living as married. On average, married women had mean CES-D scores that were 2.0 points (0.19 SDs) lower than unmarried women (P = 0.013). Among married women, a 1.0 SD increase in marital satisfaction was associated with a 2.2 point (0.21 SDs) decrease in CES-D scores (P < 0.001). Married women whose marital satisfaction scores were below the 19th percentile had greater predicted depressive symptoms than unmarried women. Married women's predicted CES-D scores ranged from 6.7 points lower to 6.9 points higher than those of unmarried women, depending on marital satisfaction. Comparisons of mental health in married and unmarried patients with rheumatic diseases should include continuously measured marital satisfaction.

Prediction of Marital Satisfaction Based on Personality Traits and Sense of Humor among Employed Women

The aim of the present study is to predict marital satisfaction in employed women based on personality traits and sense of humor. This study is a correlational study. The statistical populations include all of the employed women in high schools of District 1 of Arak city (Iran). The sample and the sample size were selected randomly in clustering form among all schools of Arak city the five of which were chosen in which 250 employed women were selected as sample size. In this study, MIS, NEO personality Inventory and Martin’s Humor Test were used. To test the hypotheses and homogeneity of variances, Pearson correlation test and Levin test were used respectively. By SPSS software, the obtained data was analyzed using Pearson Coefficient. The results of this study demonstrated that there was a significant relationship between marital satisfaction and humor. This could be concluded that an increase in personality traits and sense of humor lead to an increase in marital satisfaction in employed women. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n4S1p123

Effect of an Educational-Supportive Program Based on Roy Adaptation Model on Marital Satisfaction in Mastectomy Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Background: Regarding nurses' significant role in improving quality of marital life in mastectomy patients and their families, implication of the adaptation model can help nurses reaching this goal. Aim: This study aimed to determine Effect of an educational-supportive program based on Roy This quasi-experimental study was performed on 69 mastectomy patients receiving chemotherapy in 2013 in clinical services in Tehran, Iran. The samples were randomly allocated to two groups. The data collection instrument was ENRICH Marital Satisfaction scale (2011). In the experimental group, maladaptive behaviors and their stimuli were determined by the questionnaire, and then adaptive strategies were implemented in 45 days. The program was based on support (patients instruction), peer group, weblog, meeting with the participants’ spouses, and three-month follow-up using behaviors checklist. Control group patients received the regular treatment sessions. T-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and Chi-square tests were run, using SPSS version 19. Results: In experimental group, paired sample t-test reflected an increase in marital satisfaction from 24.7±2.6 before to 32.9±3.5 after the intervention (P=0.03). However, no significant differences were observed in the control group from 26/7±4/6 before to 26/5±4/8 after the intervention in this regard (P=0/63). Implications for Practice: Roy Adaptation Model can be used as a framework for designing educational-supportive programs to improve quality of marital life in mastectomy patients receiving chemotherapy.

Effectiveness of family life education on marital satisfaction of couples attending counseling center in Isfahan city

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of family life education on couple's marital satisfaction which was referred to counseling centers in Isfahan. Methods: Research method was quasi-experimental using pretest and posttest with the control group. Statistical population included all couples with marital dissatisfaction were referred to counseling centers in Isfahan. Using the method of random sampling selected 30 couples with marital dissatisfaction, that they were referred to counseling centers in Isfahan from July to end of August 1393, and were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. For the experimental group, life skills training sessions were held over 10 sessions for 2 h. These sessions included information about family and marriage, conflict resolution skills, conversation skills, gender roles, and child-rearing skills. All couples completed 47 questions marital satisfaction questionnaire (1989) before and after the implementation of the independent variable (family life education). Data analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. Result: Mean scores of marital satisfaction was significant at posttest in experimental and control groups (P = 0/001). In other words, we can say family life skills training has improved marital satisfaction scores in the experimental group at posttest. The effects of group membership or family life skills training, in improving marital satisfaction is 90/8%. Conclusions: The results showed that using the model of family life education in this study can change marital satisfaction. This means that, an increase in marital satisfaction through family life education program content reduce stress and dissatisfaction and improve feelings of competence and couple health.

Marital status, marital quality, and heart rate variability in the MIDUS cohort.

Previous research has shown marital status and marital quality are consistent predictors of health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and mortality. To better understand the relationship among marital status, marital quality, and cardiovascular health, we examined how marital status and marital quality were associated with an early indicator of deteriorating cardiovascular health, high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV). This study uses data from the National Survey of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Biomarker Substudy (N = 907) to examine differences in HF-HRV by traditional marital status categories (married, divorced, widowed, and never married) as well as further differentiating between the continuously married and remarried. In addition, links were also examined between HF-HRV and changes in marital quality (marital satisfaction, support, strain) among individuals in long-term marriages. No significant differences in HF-HRV were observed between married persons and those widowed, divorced, and never married. However, continuously married individuals had higher HF-HRV than remarried adults. Increases in marital satisfaction and support over 10 years were associated with higher HF-HRV, whereas increased marital strain over 10 years was associated with lower HF-HRV. Higher HF-HRV among the continuously married compared with the remarried suggests that previous marital disruptions may have lasting effects on cardiovascular health or that there may be other differences between the remarried versus those who remain married to the same person. Associations between marital quality and HF-HRV suggest that variations in the quality of one's marriage may affect cardiovascular health.

Workload and the trajectory of marital satisfaction in newlyweds: Job satisfaction, gender, and parental status as moderators.

Stress, on average, is bad for relationships. Yet stress at work is not always associated with negative relationship outcomes. The premise of the current study was that associations between workload and trajectories of marital satisfaction depend on circumstances that may constrain or facilitate partners' ability to negotiate their multiple roles. We hypothesized that the covariance between changes in workload and marital satisfaction over time should be moderated by (a) the extent to which spouses like their work, (b) their parental status, and (c) their gender. Analyses drawing upon eight waves of data on workload, work satisfaction, and marital satisfaction from 169 newlywed couples assessed over four years confirmed these predictions. Specifically, across couples, demands at work covaried positively with marital satisfaction for spouses who were more satisfied with their jobs. For nonparent couples, increases in husbands' workload covaried with increases in marital satisfaction for both spouses. For parent couples, however, increases in husbands' workload covaried with declines in marital satisfaction for both spouses. Unexpectedly, for parent couples, increases in wives' workload corresponded with increased marital satisfaction. Finally, consistent with predictions, wives were more affected by their husbands' workload than vice versa. Thus, tension between work and marriage is not inevitable, instead depending on circumstances that facilitate or impair performance in multiple roles. Couples, employers, and practitioners should recognize the role that external circumstances play in determining how work and marital life interact.

Trajectories of Conflict Over Raising Adolescent Children and Marital Satisfaction

The present study examined trajectories of marital satisfaction among couples with adolescent children and evaluated how changes in parents' conflict over raising adolescent children were associated with changes in marital satisfaction over four years. Using a prospective, longitudinal research design and controlling for family socioeconomic status, dyadic growth curve analysis from a sample of 431 couples with adolescent children indicated that marital satisfaction decreased over time for parents with adolescent children, and that the trajectories for mothers and fathers were substantially linked. More importantly, the study demonstrated that increases or decreases in parents' marital conflict over raising adolescent children were associated with corresponding decreases or increases in marital satisfaction for both mothers and fathers.

Reductions in Marital Violence Following Treatment for Alcohol Dependence

The impact of an intensive, individually based, partial hospitalization treatment for alcohol dependence on alcohol use, marital violence, psychological abuse, and marital satisfaction among 24 heterosexual male patients and their partners was assessed. Patients received 5 to 6 days of substance abuse treatment in a partial hospital. Patient and partner assessments were conducted at baseline and 6- and 12-month follow-up. Results revealed decreased alcohol use in patients and significant declines in husband-to-wife marital violence and psychological abuse from baseline to 6- and 12-month follow-up. Men reported no significant changes in their marital satisfaction. Results also showed significant decreases in wife-to-husband violence from baseline to 6- and 12-month follow-up. Female partners reported a significant increase in marital satisfaction from baseline to 6- and 12-month follow-up. Overall, the study suggests that marital violence perpetrated by male patients and their partners declined following the males' substance abuse treatment. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

The Demand/Withdraw Pattern of Communication as a Predictor of Marital Satisfaction Over Time.

There is ample evidence that marital dissatisfaction is associated concurrently with demand/withdraw, the marital pattern of communication in which one spouse nags or criticizes while the other avoids. However, the connection between demand/withdraw and changes in satisfaction is less clear. Some studies suggest that demand/withdraw is associated with low but steady marital satisfaction; other studies imply that demand/withdraw predicts declines in satisfaction; and still others indicate that demand/withdraw foreshadows increases in marital satisfaction. The current longitudinal study of married couples (N = 46) examined the connection between demand/withdraw and changes in satisfaction. The results suggest that the correlation between demand/withdraw and dissatisfaction endures to some extent, but also that demand/withdraw predicts increases in wives' satisfaction. Comparisons of the current study to previous studies of demand/withdraw imply that the association between demand/withdraw and marital satisfaction may be more complex than heretofore assumed, suggesting that future research ought to consider whether different ways of enacting demand/withdraw vary in their impact on marriage.

Attachment Security and Marital Satisfaction: The Role of Positive Perceptions and Social Support

The authors examined how positive perceptions about partners’ attachment security predicted supportive behavior and satisfaction in newlywed marriage. The authors tested a mediation model in which positive perceptions were associated with adaptive support behavior, which in turn predicted increases in marital satisfaction. The self-report measures of attachment security, perceptions of partner’s attachment security, and marital satisfaction within 6 months of marriage and again 1 year later were completed by 172 couples. Social support behavior was assessed by videotaped interactions at the initial session. Structural equation models indicated that positive perceptions served a relationship-enhancing function that was enacted, in part, through couples’ supportive interactions.

Sources of Motivation in a Couples Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment Program

This study examines sources of motivation to seek treatment. Participants were 105 male alcoholics and their non-alcoholic female partners who participated in a study of three different approaches to the conjoint treatment of alcoholism. Participants1 sources of motivation were coded from responses to questions at the initial clinical screening interview. Sources of motivation were classified as “internal” or “external.”More participants had internal sources of motivation (74%) than external sources. Participants with internal sources of motivation scored higher on the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test than participants with external sources of motivation, but did not differ on other measures of pretreatment severity of alcohol problems.About half of the participants (53%) cited their partner as a primary source of motivation to seek treatment. Other sources of motivation cited were: increasing problems with alcohol, mental health problems, and physical health problems. There was greater variability among internal sources of motivation than among external sources of motivation. Participants' partners but not the male participants themselves, experienced an increase in marital satisfaction from pre- to within-treatment when the participant was motivated to come to treatment by his partner.