This project examined dispositional optimism and its influence on the three subscales of marital adjustment (consensus, satisfaction, and cohesion) by gender. Data for this study came from Wave 2 and 3 of the National Survey of Families and Households. The Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to examine both actor and partner effects of dispositional optimism on the marital adjustment subscales using the program AMOS. Results indicate that wives’ optimism seem to influence their own later marital satisfaction as well as their husbands’ later marital satisfaction. However, husbands’ optimism appeared to influence neither their own nor their wives’ later satisfaction. These results imply that wives’ optimism matters for marital satisfaction, whereas husbands’ does not.

The major problems that this study adressed were, the identification of which predictor variables account for a significant proportion of the variance in the criterion variable sexual satisfaction, as well as the group differences on the sexual satisfaction, marital satisfaction, locus of control, and self-esteem. In the current study, a sample which was composed of 200 married persons was investigated. Results revealed that, gender, education level, and interaction of these variables differentiated the groups on both the sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction. However, only the main effect of education level differentiated the groups on the locus of control. Additionally, gender and education level differentiated the groups on the self-esteem. Marital satisfaction, locus of control, self-esteem, length of marriage, intercourse frequency and orgasm frequency significantly predicted the sexual satisfaction. Findings of the present study were discussed in the light of the relevant literature.

abstract: Separation from a loved one is a highly stressful event. The range and intensity of emotions accompanying such a separation arguably are amplified when one's spouse deploys. This thesis examines at-home spouses (AHSs) of deployed military and how emotion, marital satisfaction, and communication are impacted throughout the deployment cycle. Additionally, I explore technology as a possible coping mechanism to help AHSs adapt and overcome stressfulness of deployment. One hundred sixty-six married females with a partner currently deployed, anticipating deployment, or recently returned from deployment completed an on-line survey. It was predicted AHSs would experience specific emotions during each phase, categorized as "anticipatory," (e.g., anger, worry) "absence" (e.g., lonely, sad) or "post" (e.g., happiness, relief); marital satisfaction also was predicted to be higher among spouses whose partner recently returned from deployment versus was deployed or anticipating deployment. Data showed AHSs whose partner was anticipating or currently deployed reported more "anticipatory" and "absence" emotions than AHSs with a recently returned partner. The former two groups did not differ in these emotions. AHSs with a recently returned partner reported more "post" emotions than the other two groups. Marital satisfaction did not differ based on deployment status. It was also predicted that among AHSs with a currently deployed partner, less negative emotion upon deployment would be associated with more frequent communication during deployment. Data showed AHSs who reported less negative emotion upon deployment engaged in more frequent communication with their deployed partner. Lastly, I predicted AHSs whose partners are currently deployed and who prefer modes of communication allowing direct contact (e.g., Skype) will experience less negative emotions than AHSs who prefer indirect contact (e.g., e-mail). Data showed reports of negative emotion did not differ based on preference for direct versus indirect communication. Therefore, negative emotions may develop and persist before and during deployment, but when the partner returns home, spouses do experience a rebound of positive emotions. Additionally, emotions at the time of deployment may be useful in predicting spouses' communication frequency during deployment. Findings aim to provide knowledge of family life during separation and explore technology as a possible coping mechanism for AHSs. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Psychology 2011

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A satisfação alcançada no casamento influencia fortemente a qualidade de vida. Por outro lado, conflitos conjugais estão relacionados a problemas de saúde, a violência e ao divórcio. Mesmo com as dificuldades inerentes a qualquer relacionamento conjugal, o matrimônio parece ser ainda um desejo a ser realizado por muitos. Porém, para que o relacionamento seja uma fonte de felicidade e resulte em uma relação satisfatória, os cônjuges precisam investir no desenvolvimento constante de habilidades para que assim possam lidar com as adversidades geradas pela vida a dois. Estudos apontam que a capacidade de ouvir e compreender, bem como de demonstrar sensibilidade frente às necessidades dos outros (empatia) constitui um dos fatores importantes para um casamento feliz, na medida em que, ao se sentir ouvido e compreendido, o cônjuge se sente mais seguro e valorizado. No entanto, ainda não está claro, se o cônjuge que manifesta empatia (empatia manifestada) experimenta tanta satisfação conjugal quanto aquele que a recebe (empatia recebida). Esse estudo investigou o valor preditivo da expressão de empatia sobre a satisfação no casamento. Foram utilizadas três medidas de auto-informe: Escala de Satisfação Conjugal (ESC-Dela Coleta, 1989), medição da satisfação conjugal; Inventário de Empatia (IE-Falcone & cols., 2008), que avalia a empatia geral; Questionário de Empatia Conjugal (QEC-Oliveira, Falcone & Ribas Jr, 2009) que avalia a empatia conjugal, sendo este último adaptado para tornar-se um questionário de auto-informe. Todos os questionários foram respondidos por 108 indivíduos casados ( 69 do sexo feminino e 39 do sexo masculino). Através da Análise de Regressão Múltipla, onde a medida de satisfação conjugal foi a variável dependente e os cinco fatores correspondentes às duas medidas de empatia foram as variáveis independentes. Verificou-se que a expressão da empatia conjugal foi preditiva da satisfação conjugal em suas três dimensões: 1) Interação conjugal (IC); 2) Aspectos emocionais (AEm) e 3) Aspectos estruturais (AEs). Dentre os fatores do IE, a Sensibilidade Afetiva (SA) foi preditiva, no sentido inverso (r= -0.23 e p<0.05), dos Aspectos Emocionais (AEm) da ESC. No que diz respeito ao IE e a relação de seus fatores com o QEC, a Tomada de Perspectiva (TP) e a Sensibilidade Afetiva (SA) apresentaram correlações moderadas e significativas (r=.38 e p<.001 e r=.35 e p<.001, respectivamente). Espera-se que esse estudo possa contribuir para a construção de programas visando desenvolver empatia em indivíduos casados, facilitando a comunicação e a satisfação no casamento. / The satisfaction reached with marriage strongly influences life quality. On the other side, marriage conflicts are related to health problems, violence and divorce. Even with the inherent difficulties of each relationship, marriage stills seems to be a desire to be reached by a lot of people. However, in order to the relationship to be a source of happiness, resulting in a satisfying relationship, couples need to invest in a constant development of skills to be able to deal with the adversities related with shared life. Some studies suggests that the capacity of listening and comprehend, as well as the capacity to demonstrate sensibility in face of partner necessity (empathy) constitute important factors for a happy marriage, as far as the spouse feels listened and comprehended, they feel more safe and valued. Nonetheless, It is not clear yet if the spouse that manifests empathy (manifested empathy) experiences as much marital satisfaction as the one that received empathy (received empathy). In this study we investigated the predictive value of the expression of empathy related to marital satisfaction. Three methods of auto-inform measurements were used to evaluate: scale of marital satisfaction (ESC) (Dela Coleta, 1989), to analyze marital satisfaction; inventory of empathy (IE) (Falcone & cols., 2008), to evaluate empathy in general; questionnaire of marital empathy (QEC) (Oliveira, Falcone & Ribas, 2009). This last one was adapted to become an auto-inform questionnaire. All three questionnaires were answered by 108 marriage people, between 39 men and 69 women. We used a multiple regression analysis, in which the measurement of marital satisfaction was the dependent variable and the five factors related to the two measurements of empathy were the independent variables. It was shown that the expression of marital empathy was predictive of marital satisfaction in its three dimensions: 1) marital interaction (MI); 2) emotional aspects (EA); 3) structural aspects (SA). Between the factors analyzed in the inventory of empathy (IE), affective sensibility (AS) was inversely predictive of the emotional aspects (EA) in the scale of marital satisfaction (r= -0.23 e p<0.05). Regarding the inventory of empathy (IE), and the relation between its factors on the questionnaire of marital empathy (QEC), the perspective uptake and the affective sensibility showed a very high correlation, statistically significant (r=.38 e p<.001 e r=.35 e p<.001, respectively). We expect this study can contribute to build up programs intended to develop empathy in marriage people in order to facilitate communication between spouses and improving marital satisfaction.

Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2016-08-16T14:01:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivo total.pdf: 1878056 bytes, checksum: ea9c30a19044fbd35c912d9293e80053 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-16T14:01:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivo total.pdf: 1878056 bytes, checksum: ea9c30a19044fbd35c912d9293e80053 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This master's dissertation aims to compare marital satisfaction and human values of couples from intact and remarried families. It sought further to develop and gather evidences of validity and accuracy of the Marital Satisfaction Scale (MSS) and know the valorative correlates of marital satisfaction and the predictive power of values with regard to this construct. In the Study 1, 208 married or in stable union couples (mage = 36; 58.7% female) participated, answering to marital satisfaction scale and sociodemographic questions. The principal components analysis suggested a tetra factorial structure that explained 50% of the total variance, whose specific factors had acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.91). In the Study 2, 214 married and remarried individuals (mage = 39; 53.3% female) participated, answering the Marital Satisfaction Scale (MSS), the Basic Values Questionnaire (BVQ) and sociodemographic questions. The results of confirmatory factorial analysis suggested that the Marital Satisfaction Scale showed adequate psychometric structure [χ² = 319.248; χ²/gl = 1.97; GFI = 0.87; AGFI = 0.83; CFI = 0.90; RMSEA = 0.068 (IC90% = 0.057 – 0.078); TLI = 0.88 e CAIC = 624.815]. The overall internal consistency index of the scale (20 items) was 0.89 and in each particular component: Affectivity (α = 0.80); Compatibility (α = 0.78); Incongruity (α = 0.79) and Financial Adjustment (α = 0.73). In the Study 3, by proceeding Pearson's correlation analysis it was noted that marital satisfaction was correlated significantly and positively with the subfunctions normative (r = 0.19; p < 0.01), suprapersonal (r = 0.20, p < 0.01) and interactive (r = 0.27; p < 0.01). When performing multiple linear regression (stepwise method) [R = 0.27, R² = 0.07; F (1.21) = 16.03; p < 0,001], it was noticed that only the interactive subfunction (β = 0.21; t = 4.00; p < 0,001) was able to predict marital satisfaction. Finally, it was performed multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). It was found that only the variable gender presented significant differences with regard to marital satisfaction [λ = 0.94, F (4.209) = 3.02, p < 0.05, size effect = 0.05], with men scoring higher than women. Regarding other sociodemographic variables (time of marriage, children, social class and religion) no significant differences were observed. Regarding the variability of human values based on the marital status (married or remarried), there was no significant difference. Regarding to the variability of marital satisfaction based on the marital status, it was found differences only in concern with the Affection factor [F (1; 2.197) = 4.92, p < 0.05, η = 0.02] in which people in first marriage scored higher than remarried. In conclusion, the objectives proposed in this dissertation were achieved, contributing to the understanding of relationships between human values and marital satisfaction as well as the variables involved in the promotion of harmony and happiness in marriage. / A presente dissertação teve como objetivo comparar a satisfação conjugal e os valores humanos de casais de famílias intactas e recasadas. Procurou-se ainda elaborar e reunir evidências de validade e precisão da medida de Satisfação Conjugal (ESC), conhecer os correlatos valorativos da satisfação conjugal e o poder preditivo dos valores frente a esse construto. No Estudo 1, participaram 208 pessoas casadas ou em união estável (midade = 36; 58,7% do sexo feminino), estas responderam à Escala de Satisfação conjugal e a perguntas sociodemográficas. A análise de componentes principais indicou uma estrutura com quatro componentes que explicou 50% da variância total, cujos fatores específicos apresentaram consistência interna aceitável (α = 0,91). No Estudo 2, participaram 214 indivíduos casados e recasados (midade = 39; 53,3% do sexo feminino) que responderam à Escala de Satisfação Conjugal (ESC), ao Questionário de Valores Básicos (QVB) e perguntas sociodemográficas. Os resultados da análise fatorial confirmatória indicaram que a Escala de Satisfação Conjugal apresentou estrutura psicométrica adequada [χ² = 319,248; χ²/gl = 1,97; GFI = 0,87; AGFI = 0,83; CFI = 0,90; RMSEA = 0,068 (IC90% = 0,057 - 0,078); TLI = 0,88 e CAIC = 624, 815]. O índice de consistência interna geral da medida (20 itens) foi de 0,89 e de cada componente em específico: Afetividade (α = 0,80); Compatibilidade (α = 0,78); Incongruência (α = 0,79) e Ajustamento Financeiro (α = 0,73). Por fim, no Estudo 3, ao proceder análises de correlação de Pearson, observou-se que a satisfação conjugal se correlacionou de forma significativa e positiva com as subfunções normativa (r = 0,19; p < 0,01), suprapessoal (r = 0,20, p < 0,01) e interativa (r = 0,27; p < 0,01). Ao realizar a regressão linear múltipla (Método Stepwise) [R = 0,27, R² = 0,07; F (1,21) = 16,03; p < 0,001], percebeu-se que apenas a subfunção interativa (β = 0,21; t = 4,00; p <0,001) foi capaz de predizer a satisfação conjugal. Por fim, foram realizadas análises multivariadas de variância (MANOVA). Constatou-se que apenas a variável sexo, apresentou diferenças significativas em relação à satisfação conjugal [λ= 0,94, F (4,209) = 3,02, p < 0,05, tamanho do efeito = 0,05], com os homens pontuando mais alto do que as mulheres. Em relação a outras variáveis sociodemográficas (tempo de união, filhos, classe social e religiosidade), não foram observadas diferenças significativas. Com relação à variabilidade dos valores humanos em função do estado civil (casado ou recasado) também não houve diferença significativa. Quanto à variabilidade da satisfação conjugal em função do estado civil, encontrou-se diferença apenas em relação ao fator Afetividade [F (1; 2,197) = 4,92, p < 0,05, η = 0,02] no qual as pessoas em primeira união pontuaram mais do que as recasadas. Concluindo, confia-se que os objetivos propostos nessa dissertação foram alcançados, contribuindo para o entendimento das relações entre os valores humanos e a satisfação conjugal, bem como as variáveis envolvidas na promoção da harmonia e felicidade no casamento.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A satisfação alcançada no casamento influencia fortemente a qualidade de vida. Por outro lado, conflitos conjugais estão relacionados a problemas de saúde, a violência e ao divórcio. Mesmo com as dificuldades inerentes a qualquer relacionamento conjugal, o matrimônio parece ser ainda um desejo a ser realizado por muitos. Porém, para que o relacionamento seja uma fonte de felicidade e resulte em uma relação satisfatória, os cônjuges precisam investir no desenvolvimento constante de habilidades para que assim possam lidar com as adversidades geradas pela vida a dois. Estudos apontam que a capacidade de ouvir e compreender, bem como de demonstrar sensibilidade frente às necessidades dos outros (empatia) constitui um dos fatores importantes para um casamento feliz, na medida em que, ao se sentir ouvido e compreendido, o cônjuge se sente mais seguro e valorizado. No entanto, ainda não está claro, se o cônjuge que manifesta empatia (empatia manifestada) experimenta tanta satisfação conjugal quanto aquele que a recebe (empatia recebida). Esse estudo investigou o valor preditivo da expressão de empatia sobre a satisfação no casamento. Foram utilizadas três medidas de auto-informe: Escala de Satisfação Conjugal (ESC-Dela Coleta, 1989), medição da satisfação conjugal; Inventário de Empatia (IE-Falcone & cols., 2008), que avalia a empatia geral; Questionário de Empatia Conjugal (QEC-Oliveira, Falcone & Ribas Jr, 2009) que avalia a empatia conjugal, sendo este último adaptado para tornar-se um questionário de auto-informe. Todos os questionários foram respondidos por 108 indivíduos casados ( 69 do sexo feminino e 39 do sexo masculino). Através da Análise de Regressão Múltipla, onde a medida de satisfação conjugal foi a variável dependente e os cinco fatores correspondentes às duas medidas de empatia foram as variáveis independentes. Verificou-se que a expressão da empatia conjugal foi preditiva da satisfação conjugal em suas três dimensões: 1) Interação conjugal (IC); 2) Aspectos emocionais (AEm) e 3) Aspectos estruturais (AEs). Dentre os fatores do IE, a Sensibilidade Afetiva (SA) foi preditiva, no sentido inverso (r= -0.23 e p<0.05), dos Aspectos Emocionais (AEm) da ESC. No que diz respeito ao IE e a relação de seus fatores com o QEC, a Tomada de Perspectiva (TP) e a Sensibilidade Afetiva (SA) apresentaram correlações moderadas e significativas (r=.38 e p<.001 e r=.35 e p<.001, respectivamente). Espera-se que esse estudo possa contribuir para a construção de programas visando desenvolver empatia em indivíduos casados, facilitando a comunicação e a satisfação no casamento. / The satisfaction reached with marriage strongly influences life quality. On the other side, marriage conflicts are related to health problems, violence and divorce. Even with the inherent difficulties of each relationship, marriage stills seems to be a desire to be reached by a lot of people. However, in order to the relationship to be a source of happiness, resulting in a satisfying relationship, couples need to invest in a constant development of skills to be able to deal with the adversities related with shared life. Some studies suggests that the capacity of listening and comprehend, as well as the capacity to demonstrate sensibility in face of partner necessity (empathy) constitute important factors for a happy marriage, as far as the spouse feels listened and comprehended, they feel more safe and valued. Nonetheless, It is not clear yet if the spouse that manifests empathy (manifested empathy) experiences as much marital satisfaction as the one that received empathy (received empathy). In this study we investigated the predictive value of the expression of empathy related to marital satisfaction. Three methods of auto-inform measurements were used to evaluate: scale of marital satisfaction (ESC) (Dela Coleta, 1989), to analyze marital satisfaction; inventory of empathy (IE) (Falcone & cols., 2008), to evaluate empathy in general; questionnaire of marital empathy (QEC) (Oliveira, Falcone & Ribas, 2009). This last one was adapted to become an auto-inform questionnaire. All three questionnaires were answered by 108 marriage people, between 39 men and 69 women. We used a multiple regression analysis, in which the measurement of marital satisfaction was the dependent variable and the five factors related to the two measurements of empathy were the independent variables. It was shown that the expression of marital empathy was predictive of marital satisfaction in its three dimensions: 1) marital interaction (MI); 2) emotional aspects (EA); 3) structural aspects (SA). Between the factors analyzed in the inventory of empathy (IE), affective sensibility (AS) was inversely predictive of the emotional aspects (EA) in the scale of marital satisfaction (r= -0.23 e p<0.05). Regarding the inventory of empathy (IE), and the relation between its factors on the questionnaire of marital empathy (QEC), the perspective uptake and the affective sensibility showed a very high correlation, statistically significant (r=.38 e p<.001 e r=.35 e p<.001, respectively). We expect this study can contribute to build up programs intended to develop empathy in marriage people in order to facilitate communication between spouses and improving marital satisfaction.

A qualidade dos relacionamentos interpessoais tem grande influência nos diversos contextos da vida de qualquer indivíduo, aqui se incluindo o contexto conjugal, fonte potencial de prazer e realização ou frustração e transtornos psicológicos. Pesquisas têm mostrado a importância de habilidades sociais específicas para a maximização da qualidade do relacionamento conjugal, como sua estabilidade e duração, sugerindo seu impacto possível também sobre a satisfação conjugal, embora não se disponha, ainda, de estudos empíricos suficientes para sustentar esta última relação. Essa lacuna está, em parte, relacionada à falta de instrumentos para a avaliação das habilidades sociais conjugais e sua possível especificidade em relação às habilidades gerais dos cônjuges. Este estudo propôs-se verificar a relação entre a satisfação conjugal dos cônjuges e habilidades sociais gerais e conjugais e, concomitantemente, aperfeiçoar um instrumento de avaliação destas últimas. Participaram 406 respondentes de ambos os sexos (a maioria casais), com nível mínimo de escolaridade de segundo grau e idades entre 20 e 73 anos , que responderam ao Inventário de Habilidades Sociais (IHS-Del-Prette), Inventário de Habilidades Sociais Conjugais (IHSC) e à Escala de Satisfação Conjugal (ESC). Foram obtidos escores individuais para cada instrumento, procedendo-se a análises descritivas de cada um e a comparações entre eles, especialmente entre maridos e esposas, além de análise da influência de variáveis sócio-demográficas. Os resultados apontaram correlação significativa entre escores do IHS-Del-Prette, IHSC e escore da ESC, sugerindo que quanto mais elaborado o repertório de habilidades sociais (conjugais e gerais) do respondente, maior é sua satisfação com o casamento, confirmando a hipótese inicial do estudo. Correlações entre fatores do IHSC, IHS-Del-Prette e da ESC apontaram classes de comportamentos do respondente e de seu cônjuge especificamente associadas à satisfação conjugal. O IHSC apresentou boa consistência interna (Alfa de Cronbach = 0,81) e uma estrutura de seis fatores que explicaram 45,407 da variância total obtida. São discutidas a aplicabilidade do instrumento a novos estudos e ao contexto prático de atuação do psicólogo, bem como as implicações dos resultados obtidos para novas pesquisas. / The quality of interpersonal relations has a great influence on many life contexts, including here the marital context, a potential source of pleasure and accomplishment or of frustration and psychological disorders. Researches have shown the importance of specific social skills for the maximization of the marital relation quality as well as upon its stability and duration, suggesting a possible impact also upon the marital satisfaction. Nevertheless, these relations don\'t have enough supportive empirical studies. This gap is partially related to the lack of instruments to access the social marital skills and to its possible specificity in relation to the spouses\' global skills. This study was aimed to verify the relation between the spouses\' marital satisfaction and global and marital social skills and simultaneously to improve an instrument to evaluate social skills. 406 participants from both sexes (most couples, with high school educational level, age between 20 and 73 years) completed the Social Skills Inventory (SSI-Del-Prette), the Marital Social Skills Inventory (MSSI) and the Marital Satisfaction Scale (MSS). It was computed individual scores for each instrument, then proceeding to descriptive and statistical analyses, especially comparing husbands and wives and social-demographic variables influence. The results showed a significant correlation between the SSI-Del-Prette, MSSI and MSS scores, suggesting that the more elaborated was the respondent\'s social skills repertoire (marital and global), greater was his/her marital satisfaction, confirming the initial hypothesis. Correlations between the SSI, MSSI and MSS factorial scores showed which respondents social skills classes was specifically associated to the marital satisfaction. The MSSI presented a good internal consistency (Alpha of Cronbach = 0,81) and a six factors structure that explained 45,407 of the obtained total variance. It has been discussed the instrument applicability to new studies and to practical context of psychologist professional work as well as these results\' implications to further researches.

The purpose of this quantitative and qualitative study was to determine retrospectively marital satisfaction and stability following the near-death experience (NDE) of one of the marital partners, focusing on the role of Gottman's Sound Marital House (1999) in the couple's relationship before and after the NDE. The researcher used the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test (1959), the Weiss-Ceretto Marital Status Inventory (1980), and a modification of Gottman's Shared Meanings Questionnaire (1999). The first group of participants included 26 NDErs. To create as comparable a group as possible, the researcher designed a life-changing event (LCE) group of 26 people who used as their referent the non-NDE-related experience they considered their most life-changing one during their marriage. Sixty-five percent of the marriages in which the NDErs were involved at the time of their NDEs ended in divorce. This number is in contrast to the 19 percent of LCE participants whose marriages ended in divorce. Marital adjustment, marital stability, and meanings in marriage between retrospectively based pre-event and post-event composite scores were statistically significantly different between the NDErs and LCErs. Low effect sizes were identified for each of the instruments except the Weiss-Ceretto Marital Status Inventory, which had a moderate effect size. Strong correlations among the scores were identified. Further analysis of the results indicated strongly that the NDErs were less satisfied in their marriages, their marriages were less stable, and they did not have a strong level of shared meaning in the marriage after the NDE occurred as compared to the LCE participants. This study has serious implications for counselors who may work with NDErs. Findings from this study show that NDErs who were married at the time of their experiences have a strong possibility of experiencing marital problems. Encouraging these couples to seek professional help as soon as possible can provide a forum for them to address the potential numerous changes in their relationship. By having more information about the effects of an NDE on a marriage, counselors will be better prepared to assist those couples who are not well prepared to navigate their way through the aftereffects of the event. Through psychoeducation and the application of counseling approaches, counselors can help their clients address specific issues related to their NDEs.

The marriage and family literature has identified a host of factors that contribute to a satisfactory marital union. For example, research on religious congruency has indicated that the more similar partners are in their religious beliefs the higher their reported marital satisfaction. Another construct studied in conjunction with marital satisfaction is adult attachment style. The attachment literature has consistently shown that secure couples tend to report higher marital satisfaction than couples with at least one insecure partner. The purpose of this study was to examine the combined role of religious commitment and attachment in marital satisfaction. Heterosexual couples (N = 184; 92 husbands, 92 wives) without children and married 1-5 years were administered a background information questionnaire, the Religious Commitment Inventory-10, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory. Results indicated that couples with congruent religious commitment reported higher marital satisfaction than couples with large discrepancies in religious commitment. Religious commitment did not mediate the relationship between attachment and marital satisfaction, but instead was found to moderate this relationship. Results of this study will benefit clinicians working in the field to help newly married couples negotiate the marital relationship.

The purpose of the study was to better understand marital conflict and marital satisfaction among Latina mothers in the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program. Latina mothers living in a marriage or in a committed relationship (n = 91) reported levels of marital conflict and marital satisfaction. Between both groups, non-HIPPY mothers reported significantly less marital satisfaction and more conflict associated with affection than HIPPY mothers. A negative correlation (r = -.495, p <.001, n = 91) indicated that more satisfaction was related to less marital conflict. Out of ten marital conflicts, religion, leisure time, drinking, and other women (outside the relationship) best explained how satisfied mothers were in their relationship with their spouse. In this study, participants who were in the HIPPY program may have more support and higher marital quality. Social service programs such as HIPPY may help families build stronger marriages. Further research on Latino/Hispanic culture and values are important when developing culturally sensitive marriage and couples education.