Grace, Self-Compassion, and Compassion: Influential Factors in Marital Satisfaction

Abstract

This study investigated and evaluated the interactive role of the dependent variable—marital satisfaction—with the independent variables of grace, self-compassion, perfectionism, legalism. The purpose of the study was to bring an awareness and understanding of the variables that predict marital satisfaction. The sample size consisted of 63 participants, 23 males and 40 females, ranging in age from 25 to 64. All participants reported themselves to be legally married, with 46% married between 10 and 25 years. A quantitative methodology was used to explore the study questions, including a Pearson correlation and a multiple linear regression. For statistical analysis, a simultaneous multiple regression was used to examine the predictive variables in marital satisfaction, an analysis of which showed that the variables together significantly influenced marital satisfaction. Independently, none of the variables were found to be significant. The Pearson correlation identified a significant positive correlation between self-compassion and perfectionism and a significant negative correlation between grace and legalism. The findings implicate that grace and self-compassion seem to have had the strongest effect on the model, impacting the results.