Multidimensional Assessment of Marital Satisfaction

TLDR

The study aimed to develop a 280‑item Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI) with validity, affective, and nine specific interaction scales. Two studies were conducted—one with 150 at‑large couples and another with 40 couples in marital therapy—to create the MSI. Correlational and profile analyses show that communication measures best predict global marital satisfaction and that the MSI distinguishes couples in therapy from matched controls, supporting its use as a clinical and research tool.

Abstract

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.