Marital Relationship Satisfaction Research Articles

Family leisure and negative links between family of origin adversity and marital satisfaction

AbstractObjectiveThis study evaluated family leisure as a moderator of negative associations between family of origin adversity and subsequent marital relationship satisfaction.BackgroundNegative experiences during childhood often affect marital outcomes. However, the vulnerability‐stress‐adaptation model of marriage suggests couples can adapt in healthy ways to manage vulnerabilities. Family leisure is often used to address stress. Family leisure remains a strong predictor of relationship well‐being due to its ability to strengthen emotion regulation and build psychological resources, motivating an evaluation of family leisure as a potential ameliorating factor for links between family of origin adversity and marital relationship satisfaction.MethodThe study used a national dyadic sample of heterosexual married couples from the Couple Relationships and Transition Experiences (CREATE) study in the United States in 2021 (N = 1,462 couples). This study estimated an actor–partner interdependence model with dyadic connections and individual controls to evaluate family leisure in the context of married couples with past family of origin adversity.ResultsFamily leisure positively associated with marital satisfaction directly but did not moderate family of origin adversity.ConclusionThe study confirmed negative links between family of origin adversity and marital relationship satisfaction. Although the study also confirmed positive links between family leisure and relationship satisfaction, family leisure was not helpful as a buffer for family of origin adversity.ImplicationsFindings suggest couples with family of origin adversity should not use family leisure as a primary means of addressing stress from family of origin experiences to help with marriages and may have more success with other strategies.

Satisfaction with the marital relationship and the religiosity of the spouses

The issue of marital satisfaction has aroused great interest in the scientific community and has been the subject of many analyses. Research conducted in this field has mainly focused on the search for factors that determine marital relationship satisfaction. Among them, the importance of religiosity has been highlighted, in supporting the durability of romantic relationships and leading to greater marital satisfaction. This research aims to verify hypotheses and research questions based on the literature, answering the question: is there a relationship between personal religiosity and marriage satisfaction? The study included 86 married couples, a total of 172 individuals, whose mean age was 38.49 years. Personal Religiousness was characterized by the Jaworski Personal Religiousness Scale, while marital relationship satisfaction was measured with the Norton’s Quality Marriage Index (QMI) questionnaire adapted by Czyżkowska and Cieciuch. The results of the study indicate that spouses’ personal religiousness has a significant and positive impact on marital satisfaction.

A Study on the Longitudinal Changes and Influencing Factors of Satisfaction with Marital Relationship of Middle-aged Couples: Focusing on Sex Differences

본 연구는 중년기 부부관계만족도와 우울감, 자녀와의 관계만족도의 종단적 변화 궤적을 파악하고, 부부관계만족도 변화에 영향을 미치는 요인들의 남녀 차이를 살펴보는 데에 목적이 있다. 한국복지패널 자료를 활용하여 잠재성장모형과 다중집단분석을 통해 분석한 결과, 중년기 부부관계만족도와 우울감, 자녀와의 관계만족도는 시간의 흐름에 따라 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 우울감의 상승은 부부관계만족도 감소에 영향을 미치며, 자녀와의 관계만족도의 증가는 부부관계만족도 증가에 미치는 영향력이 유의하였다. 남녀 차이에 있어서 중년기 우울감의 변화가 부부관계만족도의 변화에 미치는 영향은 여성의 경우만 유의한 것으로 나타났으며, 자녀와의 관계만족도 변화가 부부관계만족도 변화에 미치는 영향력은 남성과 여성 모두 유의하게 나타났으나 남성이 여성보다 더 큰 영향력을 받는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과는 중년기 부부관계 강화를 위하여 다양한 접근이 필요함을 시사한다.Objectives: This study aimed to identify the longitudinal trajectory in middle-aged marital relationship satisfaction and depression, and relationship satisfaction with children; and to research the differences between men and women in factors affecting changes in marital relationship satisfaction. Methods: Analysis was performed applying multivariate latent growth modeling and multiple group analysis from the Korean Welfare Panel was performed. Results: This study found that middle-aged marital satisfaction, depression, and relationship satisfaction with children decreased over time. Moreover, changes in depression had a negative effect on changes in marital satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction with children had a significant influence on changes in marital satisfaction. For the gender gap, the effect of changes in the depression on changes in marital satisfaction was only found for women, while the influence of the rate of change in relationship satisfaction with children on the rate of change in marital satisfaction was related to both men and women, although the effect size of the rate of change was greater for men than for women. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm that various approaches are required to strengthen middle-aged marital relationships.

The Role of Fear of Intimacy as Mediator between Self-Differentiation and Marital Relationship Satisfaction: A Dyadic Model

From the lens of Bowen's systemic family theory, this study employed the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) to investigate the mediating effect fear of intimacy has on the association between self-differentiating and both partners’ relationship satisfaction. One hundred and forty-four non-clinical married couples ( N = 288) in enduring relationships were recruited. Results for actor effects revealed two mediating paths whereby, among both partners, self-differentiation was associated with their relationship satisfaction via fear of intimacy. Partner effect revealed that wives’ higher self-differentiation was associated with their lower fear of intimacy, which was linked, in turn, to husbands’ higher relationship satisfaction; unlike husbands’ fear of intimacy, which had no effect. Our results support Bowen's theoretical assumptions positing that self-differentiation indicates the ability for intimacy, which affects couple relationship satisfaction. Interestingly, the results highlight the role of the wives’ capability to establish intimate relationships on the husbands’ relationship satisfaction.

A Systematic Review of the Correlation Between Marital Relationship and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, and Duration of Breastfeeding.

Background: Breastfeeding as an important key to sustainable development strategies is the best nutrition for ensuring healthy growth and development in the first 1,000 days of life. Objective: The current systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the correlation between marital relationship satisfaction and breastfeeding self-efficacy and duration of breastfeeding. Method: A systematical search was carried out in main electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest, and Web of Science) and gray literature until June 2022. The study's risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa risk-of-bias tool. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot, and Begg's and Egger's tests. The degree of heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. To estimate common effect size r coefficient (r) and confidence intervals (95% CIs), random-effect models were fitted, and the results were presented using forest plots. Results: In total, 13 studies with 5,843 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the pool estimates show a positive correlation between marital relationship satisfaction, and breastfeeding self-efficacy (r = 0.27, 95% CI (0.09-0.50), p = 0.024), but this relationship was not found in the term of breastfeeding duration (r = 0.11, 95% CI [-0.01 to 0.23], p = 0.079). The heterogeneity of studies was high (I2 = 95.2%) Conclusion: Our finding confirms a positive and moderate level of correlation between marital relationship satisfaction and breastfeeding self-efficacy. It is suggested to conduct more studies to reach appropriate conclusions regarding marital relationship satisfaction and breastfeeding duration.

Dark Side of Mobile Phone Technology: Assessing the Impact of Self-Phubbing and Partner-Phubbing on Life Satisfaction

Aim/Purpose: The study aims to explore the attributes of self-phubbing and partner-phubbing, as well as their impact on marital relationship satisfaction and the quality of communication. Furthermore, it aims to comprehend how these characteristics could impact an individual’s total level of life satisfaction. Background: The study aims to establish a clear association between specific mobile phone usage behaviors and their subsequent impact on relationship satisfaction and the quality of communication. This study investigates the effects of two types of behaviors on interpersonal relationships: self-phubbing, which refers to an individual being deeply absorbed in their own mobile phone use, and partner-phubbing, which refers to witnessing one’s partner being deeply absorbed in a mobile device. Methodology: This study utilizes a quantitative approach. The poll involved 150 smartphone users in Malaysia who are in relationships, and they participated by completing a questionnaire. The data analysis was performed using the Partial Least Squares-based Structural Equation Modeling method. Contribution: This research addresses the gap and gives insight into the consequences of self and partner phubbing and its impact on the relationship and life satisfaction among partners by providing a research model that was validated with primary data. Findings: The results of this survey show that smartphone conflicts harm relationship satisfaction but not communication quality. It was revealed that communication quality does not directly bring a negative impact on life satisfaction, but it directly affects relationship satisfaction, which, in turn, harms life satisfaction. Recommendations for Practitioners: The findings of this study can be used by practitioners to improve relationship counseling and therapy. Through the integration of the notion of phubbing and its impact on relationship happiness, couples can receive guidance on how to reduce the tension that arises from using smartphones. Recommendation for Researchers: Previous research was conducted exclusively on only an individual’s phubbing behavior, but limited work was done on the partner’s phubbing behavior. Future researchers can enhance this model by identifying more factors. Impact on Society: This study addresses broader societal ramifications in addition to the dynamics of particular relationships. This study promotes a more mindful use of smartphones by exposing the complex relationships between technology use, relationship happiness, and general life contentment. This will ultimately lead to healthier relationships and improved societal well-being. Future Research: In the future, we are going to implement an artificial neural network approach to test this data to predict the most important factors that influence phubbing.

Prayer for a Partner and Relationship Outcomes: The Moderating Role of Relationship Form (Marital vs. Nonmarital Relationship)

The current study was designed to investigate the concurrent and temporal associations between petitionary-focused prayer for a partner and relationship outcomes such as relationship satisfaction, commitment and quality, romantic loneliness, and relationship disillusionment from the perspective of the moderating role of relationship form (marital vs. nonmarital relationship). This study utilized a cross-sectional and longitudinal design and examined 412 Polish adults aged 18–75 (M = 35.10, SD = 9.50) at Time 1 and 190 participants after a four-month interval. The results revealed a moderation function of relationship form at T1 for relationship satisfaction at T1 and that more praying for a partner at T1 was associated with higher relationship satisfaction at T1 in marital relationships but not in nonmarital relationships. There was, however, a trend suggesting that more praying for a partner at T1 might be related to lower levels of romantic loneliness at T2 in marital relationships but not in nonmarital relationships. No interaction effects were observed for other relationship outcomes. These results suggest that the effects of praying for a partner may differ depending on relationship outcomes and that prayer may play a positive function with respect to relationship satisfaction in marital relationships in comparison to nonmarital relationships.

The Mediating Effect of Parenting Practice in the Longitudinal Relation Between Parents’ Marital Relationship Satisfaction and Child Happiness and Problem Behaviors

The Mediating Effect of Parenting Practice in the Longitudinal Relation Between Parents’ Marital Relationship Satisfaction and Child Happiness and Problem Behaviors

Parental marital relationship satisfaction predicts glycemic outcomes in children with type 1 diabetes.

Glycemic outcomes in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) vary widely, despite uniform care. We hypothesized that glycemic outcomes in children with T1D are affected by the marital relationship satisfaction of the child's parents. We evaluated a prospective sample of 51 families with a child with newly diagnosed T1D, including 36 married parent families. We assessed indicators of marital relationship satisfaction and used multiple regression models to determine whether marital relationship satisfaction at diagnosis was associated with mean HbA1c 18-24months after diagnosis. Marital status and parental relationship satisfaction at the time of the child's T1D diagnosis were associated with HbA1c 18-24months later. These differences persisted after adjusting for demographic factors associated with glycemia. The quality of the primary diabetes caregiver's relationship with a spouse predicts glycemic outcomes for children with T1D. Interventions to improve spousal relationships and caregiver support could improve glycemic control in children with T1D.

Parental marital relationship satisfaction is associated with glycemic outcomes in children with type 1 diabetes

ObjectivesWe hypothesized that glycemic outcomes in children with type 1 diabetes are linked to marital satisfaction of primary caregivers above and beyond parent neuroticism and child effortful control.MethodsWe evaluated a cross-sectional sample of 73 married parent families with a child (ages 7–18 years) with type 1 diabetes of at least 2 years duration. We assessed marital relationship satisfaction, parent neuroticism, and child effortful control through the use of validated questionnaires. We used univariate comparisons and multivariable models to determine whether marital relationship satisfaction was associated with hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] and whether this association persisted after adjusting for demographic factors and parent neuroticism/child effortful control.ResultsIn univariate analyses, HbA1c was associated with marital relationship satisfaction of the primary caregiver. In multivariable models adjusting for demographic factors, marital satisfaction remained associated with HbA1c, whereas none of the other factors tested (including family income and race/ethnicity) retained significance. In univariate analyses, child effortful control was also associated with HbA1c. When child effortful control was added to the multivariable model, marital satisfaction remained associated with HbA1c with similar coefficient and confidence intervals describing the relationship between marital satisfaction and hemoglobin A1c.ConclusionsHigher levels of marital satisfaction of the primary diabetes caregiver are associated with glycemic outcomes for children with type 1 diabetes. Interventions to improve spousal relationships may have downstream benefits that could include promoting more optimal child HbA1c levels.

기혼자의 성인애착이 결혼만족도에 미치는 영향

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine how married adult attachment can improve marital satisfaction in marital relationships. Methods A double mediation model was verified to find out whether self-compassion and emotional dysregulation sequentially double-mediated in the relationship between adult attachment and marriage satisfaction. For this study, a questionnaire was conducted for 367 married people, and the collected data were analyzed. Results Results of the study are as follows. First, simple mediation of self-compassion was not significant in the relationship between adult attachment and marriage satisfaction. Second, simple mediation of emotional dysregulation was significant. Third, sequential double mediation of self-compassion and emotional dysregulationwas significant. Conclusions This study is meaningful in that it revealed that self-compassion and emotional dysregulation can enhance marital satisfaction in the process of adult attachment affecting marital satisfaction.

기혼자의 성인애착이 결혼만족도에 미치는 영향

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine how married adult attachment can improve marital satisfaction in marital relationships. Methods A double mediation model was verified to find out whether self-compassion and emotional dysregulation sequentially double-mediated in the relationship between adult attachment and marriage satisfaction. For this study, a questionnaire was conducted for 367 married people, and the collected data were analyzed. Results Results of the study are as follows. First, simple mediation of self-compassion was not significant in the relationship between adult attachment and marriage satisfaction. Second, simple mediation of emotional dysregulation was significant. Third, sequential double mediation of self-compassion and emotional dysregulationwas significant. Conclusions This study is meaningful in that it revealed that self-compassion and emotional dysregulation can enhance marital satisfaction in the process of adult attachment affecting marital satisfaction.

Emotional and behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder and psychological distress in their parents in Saudi Arabia: The moderating effect of marital relationship satisfaction

BackgroundThere is a well-established association between emotional and behavioral problems in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), unmet family support needs, and psychological distress in their parents. However, no studies hypothesized a buffering effect of marital relationship satisfaction. AimThe aim of this research was to investigate the moderating effect of marital relationship satisfaction in the associations among emotional and behavioral problems in children with ASD, unmet family support needs, and anxiety and depression of their parents in the context of Saudi Arabia. Design and methodsThis cross-sectional study recruited parents from five rehabilitation centers for children with ASD in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected with surveys completed online. A sample of 93 parents (84% female, 4.3% were 24 or younger, 36.2% between 25 and 34 years old, 40.5% between 35 and 44, and 14.7% between 45 and 54) of children with ASD was obtained. Two models of multiple regression analysis were performed to determine the relationships. ResultsAbout 56% of the parents had anxiety symptoms and 60% had depressive symptoms. Emotional and behavioral problems of children and higher levels of unmet family support needs were associated with higher levels of anxiety in parents, and adaptive behavior of children was associated with reduced levels of depression in parents. Relationship satisfaction moderated the impact of children's emotional and behavioral problems on parental anxiety. Conclusion and implicationsThe study highlighted the importance of marital relationship satisfaction in buffering the negative effects of ASD-related factors of children on the psychological well-being of their parents.

The Impact of Seaweed Farming on Marital and Reproductive Role Satisfaction

Seaweed farming has materialized as the most pertinent livelihood approach among coastal areas. This livelihood is mostly participated by couples to augment their income for family’s subsistence. This descriptive-correlational research was conducted to determine the impact of seaweeds farming to the marital relationship satisfaction and reproductive role satisfaction of the seaweed farmers of Brgy. Tiabas, San Dionesio, Iloilo. Checklist questionnaire made by the researcher adapted from Marital Satisfaction Inventory and reproductive role questionnaire were utilized during the data collection. The collection of data was from October 2016 to March 2017. The findings showed very high marital relationship satisfaction when the respondents were classified according to sex, years of marriage, family income and family size. However, the findings revealed low reproductive role satisfaction when the respondents were classified according to sex, years of marriage, family income and family size. No significant differences among variables in the study. Thus, it was concluded that appreciation of responsible parenthood and gender equality should be delivered to the farmers for harmonious relationship in the households.

Effects of the Waya Intervention on Marital Satisfaction and HIV Risk Behaviors in Western Kenya: A Pre-Post Study Design.

Poor marital satisfaction is associated with high-risk sexual behavior and HIV transmission. We tested whether a counselor-led couple education and counseling intervention dubbed Waya (paternal aunt) would improve marital satisfaction and reduce HIV risk behavior among married couples in Kisumu County, western Kenya. In a pre-post design, we enrolled 60 heterosexual married couples at high risk for HIV to undergo five 1-h couple education and counseling sessions over 56days. We collected self-reported data on marital satisfaction, the number of sex partners, and condom use with extramarital partners at pre- and post-intervention visits. We used Wilcoxon and McNemar tests to examine the association of our intervention with marital relationship satisfaction and reduction in HIV risk sexual behavior. The intervention was associated with marital relationship satisfaction score improvement from a median of 5 (interquartile range [IQR], 4-5) to 6 (IQR, 6-7) among men and 4 (IQR, 3-5) to 6 (IQR, 5-6) among women (p < .01). The intervention was also associated with reducing HIV risk sexual behaviors depicted by a reduction in the number of sex partners in the past one month and an increase in consistent extramarital condom use. The number of sex partners reduced from a median of 2 (IQR, 1-2) to 1 (IQR, 1-2) and consistent extramarital condom use increased from 4% at baseline to 56% among men. Ourintervention was associated with improvements in marital relationship satisfaction and reductions in HIV high-risk behaviors necessary for achieving epidemic control in HIV hotspots such as fishing communities in western Kenya.

Impact of Marital Relationship Satisfaction on Feelings of Parenting Difficulty in Response to a Child Crying

Impact of Marital Relationship Satisfaction on Feelings of Parenting Difficulty in Response to a Child Crying

Sexual and Marital Relationship Satisfaction in Parents of Children With Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of sexual satisfaction and type of relationship between spouses, and then to determine the correlation between these variables and independent variables. These include: disability type of the child, the number of children in the family, and the gender of the parents. The hypothesis was that ‘the level of sexual satisfaction in parents is significantly related to the type of disability possessed by their children’ and similarly it was found that disability type significantly affects the type of relationship between parents. The research was conducted using the Matched Marriage Questionnaire (MMQ) and the Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSS). The data obtained in the study showed that most spouses experience high and average sexual satisfaction and no particular differences between men and women were observed. The differences appeared when analyzing parents of a child with autism. In this group the results were more diverse in the detailed descriptions of the scale. The results obtained regarding marital relationship satisfaction indicate a not very favorable picture of the relationships of the surveyed subjects.

Child Happiness Associated with Paternal Profiles in Parenting Behaviors and Work-Family Balance

In Korea, expectations for paternal roles are changing from strict fathers to intimate fathers as a result of the rise in dual-income families. Maintaining a work-family balance to allow for more involvement in parenting can be difficult for Korean fathers because they tend to be work-oriented. They also typically lack a role model for close father-child relationships due to Korea’s tradition of authoritarian fatherhood. In this study, we identify paternal profiles and what types of fathers are positively associated with child happiness. For this purpose, we investigate (a) the number and characteristics of paternal profiles in parenting behaviors (authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting) and work-family balance (work-family benefits and conflicts); (b) predictors of the profiles, and (c) how the profiles are associated with child happiness. Our sample included 1,159 fathers with children in the 3rd grade from the 10th wave of the Panel Study on Korean Children. The mean age of the fathers was 42.15 years ( SD = 3.88), and the mean length of their marital relationship was about 12.90 years ( M = 154.83 months, SD = 36.98). Using Mplus, we applied latent profile analysis and found three profiles: (1) authoritative fathers with work-family benefits (22.1%); (2) authoritative-permissive fathers with work-family balance (52.9%); and (3) inconsistent fathers with work-family conflicts (25.0%). We also examined predictors of the profiles and child happiness. Health, age, and marital relationship satisfaction were the significant predictors of the profiles. Children of authoritative fathers with work-family benefits showed significantly higher happiness than children of the other paternal types. Our findings provide valuable implications for family practices and government policies regarding the importance of paternal roles on child happiness and the impact of health status, age, and marital relationship satisfaction on fathers’ parenting.

Postpartum Depression and Physical Activity Among Women Attending Postnatal Clinics in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Background: The reproductive years come with their own share of mental health issues with childbirth and the postpartum period being a particularly vulnerable time for mothers leading to an increase in the risk of depressive disorders. Postpartum depression has a huge public health effect on the mother with long-term consequences on the child and family. Research has shown that physical activity is beneficial; however, such studies are lacking in Nigeria. Therefore, this study sought to look at the association between postpartum depression and physical activity and determine its prevalence among women in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 401 women attending immunization and postnatal clinics at the University College Hospital Ibadan. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire containing a self-developed socio-demographic section, Edinburgh postnatal depression scale to measure postpartum depression, and an International physical activity questionnaire (short type) to as sess physical activity. Analysis was done using the Chi-square test and multivariate analysis to determine independent factors. Significance was set at 0.05. Results: More than a third of the respondents (37.8%) had postpartum depression. Physical activity level was high (72.1%). High levels of physical activity increased the odds of postpartum depression compared to lower levels (95% CI= 0.797-0.97). Gender of the child, marital relationship satisfaction, and age of the child were independently associated with postpartum depression. Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of postpartum depression is greater than previously reported in past studies in southwest Nigeria and high levels of physical activity may increase the risk of postpartum depression.

Prolonged grief and posttraumatic growth among middle-aged and older widowed persons: A latent class analysis and testing for the role of social support

Evidence has shown that symptoms of grief co-occur with posttraumatic growth following loss. Using latent class analysis among a Togolese sample of middle-aged/older widowed persons, we identified three classes along their experiences of grief-growth interaction (combined grief/growth, predominantly growth, and low-medium growth classes). The combined grief/growth class members were more likely to have lost their spouses recently and to report greater marital relationship satisfaction with their spouse before their death. The perceived social support from family was predictive of the predominantly growth class membership. The findings provide a nuanced understanding of grief, which is dominated by psychopathology and negative outcomes.