Marital satisfaction among San Francisco Chinese-Americans

This study investigates variables that predict marital satisfaction in a group of San Francisco Chinese-Americans. Using Campbell, Converse and Rodgers' model of satisfaction as a framework (1976), 41% of the variance of marital satisfaction is accounted for with objective demographics and subjective assessments of marriage components derived from the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Scale items. Chinese-Americans are generally satisfied with their marriage, with men reporting higher satisfaction levels than women. Agreement on life aims and moral behaviour emerges as the most important predictor of marital quality. In addition, for men, agreement in relating to in-laws and friends is also found to be a significant predictor of marriage satisfaction.