Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The marital relation has long been one of the most studied aspects of family relations. In our paper we briefly trace the development of theoretical and methodological approaches to the issue of marital quality and show that the field has lacked sufficient theoretical work for adequate scientific analysis of the marital relation. We argue that the heavy reliance upon marital satisfaction measures incorporates problematic ontological assumptions, assumptions that prevent adequate empirical examination of the marital relation. Understanding marital quality in terms of marital satisfaction can hide how concerns for marital justice are central to the marital relation and integral to theorizing marital quality. We draw upon the phenomenological work of Emmanuel Levinas to show how the marital relation is grounded in a responsibility for one’s spouse that challenges the primacy of satisfaction in assessments of the marital relation. We conclude by theorizing how justice rather than satisfaction structures the quality of a marital relationship.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper uses longitudinal data from "Marital Instability over the Life Course: A Six-Wave Panel Study, 1980, 1983, 1988, 1992, 1997, and 2000" to examine the relationships between marital status, duration in current marital state, and marital transitions and psychological well-being. This study uses a life course approach and argues that taking duration in current status and lifetime marital transitions into consideration can moderate the commonly observed relationship between marital status and psychological well-being.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: In light of the rapidly aging population and high rates of marital instability over the life course, it is imperative to understand an issue at their intersection: the role of the marital life course in the etiology and development of major chronic diseases. Drawing on the 1992 Health and Retirement Study, this research expands on previous studies by examining the role of the marital life course on five major chronic diseases and emotional problems. Two basic questions guide the research: a) What are the effects of various characteristics of the marital life course (e.g., current marital status, prior marital loss, duration in current marital status) on the prevalence of major chronic disease in midlife? b) Can socioeconomic status and lifestyle explain the links between the marital life course and chronic disease? Results suggest that marital loss is significantly associated with higher prevalence of several chronic diseases, regardless of current marital status. Socioeconomic conditions and lifestyle behaviors mediate the association between the marital life course and the prevalence of chronic diseases. No support is found for the hypothesis that marriage duration enhances health. Instead, marriage duration is positively associated with the prevalence of diabetes.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Marriage is an important part of American society, and can be linked to happiness in several ways. Research has established a link between marital status, divorce history, and happiness, as well as happiness in marriage and general happiness. This paper seeks to confirm that link, as well as discover one between marital status, divorce history, marital happiness, and life outlook. Data are taken from the General Social Survey. Eight hypotheses are examined, and seven of the eight finds support, establishing links between divorce history and life satisfaction and overall happiness; marital status and life outlook, life satisfaction, and overall happiness, and self-reported happiness in marriage and life outlook, life satisfaction, and overall happiness. While the research found that there is a relationship between divorce history and life outlook, it is inverse, meaning that divorced people are more likely to find life exciting. This is the opposite of what was expected.

Publication Type: Poster
Abstract: Most researchers would agree that violence is not a positive aspect of marriage. While prevalence of violence in marriage is high and the assumption is that marital violence diminishes marital quality, most previous work has been hampered by significant methodological problems. This paper examines the simultaneous relationships between marital quality and marital violence, and then the effects of marital violence and marital quality on divorce. It is an improvement on past research by (1) using a larger, national probability sample; (2) examining the violence of men and women separately, and (3) considering perpetration and victimization separately. While marital violence negatively affects marital quality for both husbands and wives, the impact was stronger for wives. However, low marital quality appears to put both wives and husbands at risk for being victimized by marital violence, suggesting a complex relationship. The violence in this sample was not the severe violence often seen in domestic violence shelters and hospitals, highlighting that even relatively low level violence has negative impacts on marriage.