Marital Satisfaction in the Elderly

Abstract

Although marital satisfaction across the lifespan has received considerable research attention, results to date do little to describe marital satisfaction in advanced age. In fact, current models of marital satisfaction across the lifespan conflict greatly on the topic of later life. One hundred and sixty-eight married persons between the ages of 55 and 88 were surveyed to explore this topic in the attempt to produce a model. The model developed demonstrates that there are apparently no changes from adulthood through the various sub-stages of later life. There were, however, several changes in marital satisfaction observed in several "symptom" areas of marital satisfcation/distress. Recommendations are made for the development of marital enhancement programs tailored to the special needs of the elderly.