Testing reciprocal relationships between marital attitudes, time spent together, and marital satisfaction among newlyweds: a cross-lagged path model

Date

2013-11-19

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Kansas State University

Abstract

The present study tests the reciprocal relationships between marital attitudes, time spent together, and marital satisfaction in a sample of newlyweds (N = 1220). Using cognitive dissonance theory and the investment model, this study tests two sets of theoretically derived unidirectional pathways to provide empirical evidence for longitudinal associations between these three constructs. Two separate models were tested, one for husbands, and one for wives. For both husbands and wives, results of the panel models indicated significant autoregressive paths among all three variables from T1 to T2, T2 to T3, and T1 to T3. Among husbands, significant cross-lagged paths emerged between T1 marital satisfaction and T2 marital attitudes, T1 marital satisfaction and T2 time spent together, T1 time spent together and T2 marital satisfaction, T2 time spent together and T3 marital satisfaction, and T2 time spent together and T3 marital attitudes. For wives, cross-lagged paths between T1 marital satisfaction and T2 time spent together, T1 time spent together and T2 marital satisfaction, and T2 time spent together and T3 marital satisfaction were found to be significant. Bootstrap test for indirect effects resulted in no significant mediating effects in the models. The results of these models are discussed and implications for future research and intervention are given.

Description

Keywords

Reciprocal relationship, Marital attitudes, Time spent together, Marital satisfaction, Cross-lagged, Newlyweds

Graduation Month

December

Degree

Master of Science

Department

Department of Family Studies and Human Services

Major Professor

Jared R. Anderson

Date

2013

Type

Thesis

Citation