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Long-term marriage: age, gender, and satisfaction
R W Levenson1, L L Carstensen, J M Gottman
1Department of Pschology, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
Psychology and Aging
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Older marriages show less conflict and more pleasure than middle-aged ones. Marital satisfaction impacts health, especially for women, with dissatisfied wives reporting poorer health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Long-term marriages are crucial for well-being.
- Understanding marital dynamics across different age groups is important.
- Marital satisfaction and health are interconnected.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare conflict and pleasure in middle-aged versus older marriages.
- To examine the relationship between marital satisfaction and health in long-term marriages.
- To investigate gender differences in marital experiences and health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Studied 156 long-term marriages with spouses aged 40-50 or 60-70.
- Collected data via questionnaires on demographics, marriage, and health.
- Utilized laboratory procedures to assess conflict and pleasure areas.
Main Results:
- Older couples reported reduced conflict potential and increased pleasure, particularly regarding children.
- Older and middle-aged couples showed equivalent mental and physical health.
- Gender differences in sources of pleasure were less pronounced in older marriages.
- The link between marital satisfaction and health was stronger for women.
- In dissatisfied marriages, wives reported more health issues than husbands.
Conclusions:
- Older marriages are characterized by greater harmony and satisfaction.
- Marital quality significantly influences health, with women being more susceptible to negative impacts.
- Findings suggest a positive trajectory for marital relationships in later life.