Compatibility of the Couple and Marital Satisfaction (Research Proposal Sample)

Research Proposal
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Research Proposal
Introduction
Marriage satisfaction has become one of the key areas of interests in counselling profession. To most individuals, marriage is one of the most desirable lifestyles. At some point in life, both men and women develop desires to find a partner to marry or someone who can marry them. While most people choose to marry, marriage satisfaction has become a crucial issue among the marrying populations. Each person longs for a satisfactory marriage life. While individuals desire to have perfect and satisfying unions, sometimes married individuals face difficult challenges such as dissatisfaction regarding marital needs such as emotional needs and sexual satisfaction. Most married couples register cases of divorce, domestic violence, and separation. Therefore, marital stability depends on the level of a couple’s satisfaction in marriage (Strong, DeVault & Cohen, 2011). These problems indicate that marital satisfaction is a significant area of concern that challenges the institution of marriage as well as the contemporary family and marital therapists. Usually, the therapists examine various factors that may influence marital satisfaction when assisting the couples to establish satisfactory marriages.
Marriage satisfaction is an abstract psychological status representing a person’s attitude towards his marriage. Individuals characterized marital satisfaction with positive attributes of relationship such as love, trust, tolerance, understanding, and respect. According to Jaiswal (2014), marital satisfaction is the general well-being of an individual in his/her marriage. Jaiswal uses the individual’s level of psychological needs achievement and marital stability. Other studies have defined marital satisfaction as the overall subjective experiences of a married individual within the marriage institution (Strong et. al, 2011). Observably, marital satisfaction is an individual’s evaluation of marriage life based on the subjective experiences, attitudes and emotional stability (Strong et. al, 2011).
Literature Review
Different scholars have conducted several studies on marriage and family institutions. Within the marital satisfaction literature, several studies have highlighted various concerns about the topic. This paper provides an overview of the identified factors influencing the degree of satisfaction that individuals attain in marriage. Such factors include, engagement, compatibility of the couple, childbirth, and marital stability. In addition, the literature will examine the interrelationship between marital satisfaction and depression. Finally, the review will look at the association between individuals’ experiences during childhood and marital satisfaction.
Engagement and Marital Satisfaction
Decades of research shows that engagement can affect couples’ marriages greatly. An article by Larsen and Olson (1989) exploring the role of PREPARE test in determining marital satisfaction showed that engagement is a major factor in marital satisfaction and stability of marriage. Engagement involves pre-marital interactions including dating activities. Other studies indicate that engagement binds the couple before the actual marriage (Strong et. al, 2011). Engagement is important because the period gives the couples an opportunity to study their partner by observing their weaknesses and strengths as well as interests (Larsen & Olson, 1989). Ideally, engagement assists the couples in examining their compatibility and detecting future misunderstands that may arise out of differences of interests. Larsen and Olson (1989) concluded that married individuals who passed through pre-marital engagement experience high levels of marital satisfaction. While engagement may lead to successful marriages, prolonged period of engagement may be dangerous.
Compatibility of the Couple and Marital Satisfaction
Previous studies have indicated that compatibility is the only way of getting a good partner (Marano, 2016). Compatible partners usually have closely related characteristics and interests that make them get along in their union (Marano, 2016). In addition, compatibility enhances stability in marriage hence, gives the couple an assurance of a satisfying marriage. However, individuals should not view compatibility in terms of behavior or traits of their partner. In the same way, compatibility does not require couples to fit in each other’s shoes or try to change another. William J, a marriage therapist states that incompatibility during the initial stages of relationship is a dangerous sign for committed couples (Marano, 2016). Therefore, compatibility of couples determines the degree of satisfaction in marriage.
Childbirth and Marital Satisfaction
According to meta-analysts, the degree of marriage satisfaction reduces after childbirth (Sundem, 2012). Men’s satisfaction especially conjugal expectation, reduces following the effects of childbirth on women. Researchers also argue that some women lose their original shape and appearance scaring their men away (Sundem, 2012). While childbirth after five years of marriage may increase the level of satisfaction among couples, unplanned childbirth may result to financial strains and divorce.
Marital Stability and Marital Satisfaction
Individuals usually measure marital stability by comparing their marriage expectations and the outcomes of the marriage. Number of years in a single marriage may also measure marital stability. Most satisfied husbands and wives have stable marital unions. Family researchers have observed that stability of unions has direct impacts on the satisfaction of couples (Shafer, Jensen & Larson, 2014). Divorce and domestic violence are some of the attributes of unstable marriages. Characteristics of stable marriage include successful career, common interests, stable communication, acceptable sexual desire, and reduced marital