“Final say” Measures of Marital Power: Theoretical Critique and Empirical Findings From Five Studies in the United States and India

Abstract

This study provides a more thorough test of the reliability and validity of the “final say” measure of marital power than has been provided in previous studies, which have been inconclusive in their findings. The reliability and validity of conflict- weighted, importance-weighted and unweighted versions of the “final say” measure are compared, along with husbands’, wives’, and children’s responses. The data base is comprised of 5 samples gathered in the United States and India. The major findings produced through an alpha reliability analysis include : (1) the “final say” measure has cross-cultural validity, (2) weighting by conflict or importance does not influence validity or reliability of the measure, (3) husbands’ and wives’ responses have equivalent levels of validity and (4) older children’s responses are the most reliable, followed by those of wives and finally husbands. The results indicate that the “final say” measure is a more valid and reliable instrument than previous research has suggested.