Multidimensional Assessment of Marital Satisfaction

Two studies were conducted involving 150 couples selected at-large and 40 couples in Imlirital therapy. An initial fbcus of the studies was the development of' a 280-item Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI) including one validity scale, one global affective scale, and nine additional scales focusing on specific areas qf marital interaction. Correlational analyses confirm that measures qf communication are the best single predictors qf global marital satisfaction. Prqfile analyses demonstrate the ability qf the MSI to discriminate between couples in therapy and a matched control group. Implications for use qf the instrument both as a clinical tool and research instrument are discussed.