How Can I Connect with Thee: Measuring and Comparing Satisfaction in Multiple Relationship Domains

Human relationships with people and nonhuman beings were explored in 229 older adults (50-68 yrs old) in the longitudinal Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study. The Multi-Domain Relationship Satisfaction scale was constructed to pose parallel questions about participants' satisfaction with their most important person, group, God, and pet. Subscates reflecting person, group, and God satisfaction exhibited convergent and discriminant validity and moderate temporal stability over a one-year period. Person-group and group-God satisfaction ratings were significantly correlated. Person and group satisfaction contributed independently to well-being controlling for sociodemographic factors, and God satisfaction and pet satisfaction. Future research should examine the extent to which differences or commonalities in the effects of relationships in these domains are attributable to specific provisions of various relationship types.