What is marital quality? 

Marital quality is a subjective assessment of the relationship between spouses. It is measured by assessing interactions within spouses, their feelings and evaluations of their relationship. Marital quality is multidimensional and can be measured on both positive and negative dimensions, where positive is satisfaction and happiness and negative is conflict.

What factors contribute to marital satisfaction?

Marital satisfaction is affected by multiple factors, which includes :

• The age gap between the couple –

An age gap can be a major factor in sexual activities of couples and that can affect marital satisfaction.

• Duration of marriage –

In the initial years, marital satisfaction is higher. However, over time the satisfaction of marriage reduces.

• Income and economic status –

Low income and job insecurity are linked to lower marital satisfaction.

• Personal characteristics –

Individual’s fixed pattern of behaviour can affect marital satisfaction.

These are some of the factors that contribute to marital satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Others include intimacy, trust, commitment, loyalty, emotional intelligence, perceptions of self and of others, etc.

How does it affect health?

Unmarried individuals are at a higher mortality rate than married individuals.

While simply being married is linked to better health, marital quality affects health.

According to research, greater marital quality is related to better health, involving lower risk of cardiovascular reactivity. Staying in an unsatisfied marriage may increase stress and worsen health. Greater marital quality is characterized as positive attitudes toward one’s spouse and lower marital quality is characterised as negative behaviour.

• Emotional processes – 

Higher levels of negative emotions have been associated with elevated blood pressure and heart rate.

• Health behaviours –

Spouses influence or control each others health behaviours. A spouse’s healthy behaviour increases their intentions to improve healthy behaviours.

• Mental illness –

Marital distress is the onset of mental illness, which includes anxiety and mood disorders.

• Cardiovascular reactivity –

A marital dispute can evoke a cardiovascular reaction, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.

Marital quality has an influence on health. Improving marital quality is linked to decreasing physical illness. Better the marital quality, lower the risks of physical and mental illness.

REFERENCE LINK-

(https://www.gmj.ir/index.php/gmj/article/view/641/html)

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