A model of resilience and marital satisfaction

J Soc Psychol. 2017;157(5):588-601. doi: 10.1080/00224545.2016.1254592. Epub 2016 Nov 1.

Abstract

This article examined the hypothesis that resilience mediates the relationship between marital satisfaction and a host of relevant variables, including spousal attachment, social support, and affect. Participants were 195 married individuals, who completed online surveys about their marriage. Importantly, the findings indicated that resilience has a direct effect on marital satisfaction. In addition, affect and social support were each shown to indirectly impact satisfaction through resilience. The relationships between spousal attachment, resilience, and satisfaction were more complicated than predicted and are further discussed. Overall, the results demonstrate the importance of resilience in marital satisfaction.

Keywords: Affect; attachment; emotions; marriage; resilience; satisfaction; social support.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect*
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marriage / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Resilience, Psychological*
  • Social Support*
  • Spouses / psychology*