Gender-Related Predictors of Change in Marital Satisfaction and Marital Conflict

Longitudinal secondary dyadic data from first time marriages were analyzed from the National Survey of Families and Households (Sweet, Bumpass, & Call, 1988 Sweet, J., Bumpass, L. and Call, V. 1988. The design and content of the National Survey of Families and Households, Madison: University of Wisconsin, Center for Demography and Ecology. [Google Scholar]), for the purpose of examining gender-related predictors of husbands' and wives' marital satisfaction and marital conflict over time. This study extended the line of thinking of previous research by taking a longitudinal look at predictors of marital satisfaction and marital conflict in stable marriages. Results indicate that there is some support for gender-based influences on husbands' and wives' marital satisfaction and conflict over time. Additionally, the findings from this study suggest that wives' marital and interpersonal functioning may be a greater predictor for husbands' marital satisfaction and marital conflict. Recommendations for clinicians working with couples are also presented.