Associations between Attitudes toward Factors Underpinning a Successful Marriage and Marital Satisfaction among Married Men and Women in Midlife

Abstract

This study examined attitudes toward factors underpinning a successful marriage and their associations with marital satisfaction among married men and women in midlife. The sample comprised 201 married men and women aged between 40 and 59 living in Seoul, South Korea, and the data were collected by a self-report survey in 2019. Attitudes toward factors underpinning a successful marriage were measured using 12 items from the European Values Study Master Questionnaire 2008 and marital satisfaction was measured using three items from the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were performed in order to identify the factors deemed important for a successful marriage, as well as a <i>t</i>-test to explore gendered domains. Additionally, regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between attitudes toward factors underpinning a successful marriage and marital satisfaction. The results revealed two factors that were deemed important for a successful marriage: 'marital exchange based on conditions' and 'qualitative interaction based on sharing.' Women were more likely to believe that both factors were important for a successful marriage than men. The regression analysis revealed that 'qualitative interaction based on sharing' had a positive association with marital satisfaction, while 'marital exchange based on conditions' had a negative association with marital satisfaction, and also that these associations did not differ by gender. The findings imply that a successful marriage can be achieved when married partners make efforts to maintain their relationships through positive interactions and share intimacy in midlife.