title: Relationship effort, satisfaction, and stability: differences across union type.
abstract: Relationship satisfaction and stability are two commonly studied outcomes in marriage and family research. Majority of studies address socio demographic variability and differences across union type in these outcomes. We extend this literature by addressing how the amount of effort one puts into their relationship is associated with stability and satisfaction. Specifically, we focus on how effort impacts these measures of quality in four union types: premarital cohabitation, first marriage, post-divorce cohabitation, and second marriage following divorce. Furthermore, we make union type comparisons in the strength of effort's association with satisfaction and stability. Using data from 8,006 respondents in the Relationship Evaluation Survey, our results show that effort was strongly and positively associated with satisfaction and stability in all four unions. Although effort is more strongly associated with satisfaction in first marriage than cohabiting relationships, no union type differences in the role of effort on stability were observed. Clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed.
authors: Brigham Young University.
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Shafer
authors: Todd M
authors: TM
authors: Jensen
authors: Jeffry H
authors: JH
authors: Larson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004243:Divorce / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012847:Single Person / Q000523:psychology; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult