Publication Date

5-2007

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Melissa Hakman, Kathi Miner-Rubino, Jill Onedara

Comments

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Degree Program

Department of Psychology

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

There is an established amount of literature on the importance of interpersonal relationships, specifically marital satisfaction. “Marital satisfaction and related concepts are studied more often than any other concept in the field” (Fowers & Olson, 1989, p. 1). With divorce rates currently peaking in the United States, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to making a marriage satisfying and establish ways to effectively prevent and/or reduce the rates of divorce. Various factors related to parenting and children have previously been shown to have a significant influence on marital satisfaction: the transition to parenthood (Cox, Paley, Burchinal, & Payne, 1999; Picker, 2005; Schulz, Cowan & Cowan, 2006; Shapiro, Gottman, and Carrére, 2000), parenting satisfaction (Kitzmann, 2005; McBride, 2006; Twenge, Campbell, & Foster, 2003); child internalizing and externalizing behaviors (Devine & Forehad, 1996; Katz & Woodwin, 2002; LIndhaul, 1998; Peleg-Popko & Dar, 2001), and the number of children in the home (Devine & Forehand, 1996; Picker, 2005; Twenge, Campbell & Foster 2003). Results of the studies examining these variables remain inconsistent in regard to interdomain spillover and the effect on marriage.

The current study examined multiple variables related to parenting including satisfaction with parenting satisfaction, severity of child behaviors, and the number of children in the home in order to examine the relationship between these variables and marital satisfaction as well as to examine which variable(s) influenced marital satisfaction the most. Gender differences were also explored. Data were used from the McBride (2006) study where couples raising children ages 1 ½-5 years of age individually completed a series of standardized self-report questionnaires.

Results indicated that, of the variables examined, the level of reported parenting satisfaction and the number of children were significant predictors of marital satisfaction. No gender differences were found.

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

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