Linear Prediction of Marital Happinessl

Abstract

Previous research (Dawes & Corrigan, 1974) has indicated that simple linear models may be highly predictive--of such cri teria as academic success and psychiatric diagnosis. This note sum marizes two studies concerning the prediction of another (socially important) criterion: self-ratings of marital happiness. Two samples of married subjects monitored sexual intercourse and argu ments on a daily basis. Rate of sexual intercourse minus rate of arguments was highly predictive of self-ratings of marital happiness.