title: Bidirectional Associations Between Newlyweds' Marital Satisfaction and Marital Problems over Time.
abstract: Prevailing views of marital functioning generally adopt the view that marital problems predict decreases in marital satisfaction, but alternative theoretical perspectives raise the possibility that lowered satisfaction can also predict increases in problems. The current study sought to integrate and compare these perspectives by examining the bidirectional cross-lagged associations between newlyweds' reports of their marital satisfaction and marital problems over the first 4 years of marriage. Using annual assessments from 483 heterosexual newlywed couples, we find evidence for problem-to-satisfaction linkages as well as satisfaction-to-problem linkages. Satisfaction was a stronger predictor of marital problems early in marriage but not as time passed; by Year 4 only problem-to-satisfaction linkages remained significant. These findings are consistent with the idea that couples with more problems go on to report lower levels of satisfaction and couples with lower levels of satisfaction go on to report more marital problems. This dynamic interplay between global judgments about relationship satisfaction and ongoing specific relationship difficulties highlights the value of examining bidirectional effects to better understand marital functioning over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
authors.forename: Justin A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lavner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Benjamin R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Karney
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Hannah C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Thomas N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Bradbury
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Longitudinal; Marital Problems; Marital Satisfaction; Marriage; Newlywed Couples; longitudinal; matrimonio; parejas recién casadas; problemas conyugales; satisfacción conyugal; 婚姻; 婚姻满意度; 婚姻问题; 新婚伴侣; 纵向的