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Contextualizing change in marital satisfaction during middle age: an 18-year longitudinal study
Sara M Gorchoff1, Oliver P John, Ravenna Helson
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkley, CA 94720-5050, USA. gorchoff@berkeley.edu
Psychological Science
|December 17, 2008
Summary
Marital satisfaction generally increased for women during middle age. This rise was linked to the empty nest transition, enhancing enjoyment of partner time, not its duration.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Longitudinal marital research often lacks contextual factors.
- Understanding middle-aged women's marital satisfaction changes is crucial.
- Major life transitions impact relationship dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in women's marital satisfaction over 18 years of middle age.
- To examine the reasons and mechanisms behind these changes.
- To assess the role of contextual factors, specifically the empty nest transition.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design tracking marital satisfaction over 18 years.
- Focus on middle-aged women.
- Analysis of changes in marital satisfaction in relation to life transitions, partner time, and partner changes.
Main Results:
- Marital satisfaction increased during middle age for women.
- The transition to an empty nest was associated with increased marital satisfaction.
- This increase was mediated by enhanced enjoyment of time with partners, not increased time quantity.
Conclusions:
- Marital satisfaction can improve in middle age, particularly after the empty nest transition.
- The quality of shared time, specifically enjoyment, is key to marital satisfaction.
- A contextualized approach focusing on life transitions is valuable for studying long-term marital satisfaction.
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