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Roles and Influence in Marriages: Both Spouses' Perceptions Contribute to Marital Commitment
Author(s) -
Weigel Daniel J.,
Bennett Kymberley K.,
BallardReisch Deborah S.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
family and consumer sciences research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 1077-727X
DOI - 10.1177/1077727x06289423
Subject(s) - spouse , perception , psychology , social psychology , marital relationship , developmental psychology , sociology , neuroscience , anthropology
This study used responses from both spouses to examine the multiple ways in which perceptions of roles and influence were related to marital commitment. Using a dyadic approach, the authors investigated four types of associations—self, cross‐spouse, gender, and additive—among perceptions of role and influence quality with reports of marital commitment. Data gathered from 107 married couples revealed that when spouses saw their roles and levels of influence in the relationship as equal, fair, and satisfying, they were more likely to experience positive levels of commitment. In addition, the findings indicated that people's perceptions of commitment were associated not only by their own perceptions of roles and influence but also with the perceptions of their partners. Findings are discussed in relation to the need to take account of both spouses' perceptions when examining marital commitment.