[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.

1035 ]

A Survey of Factors Related to Marital Satisfaction among Married

Women in Taft City, Iran
Akbar Zare Shahabadi a*, Marzieh Montazeri a
a
School of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

ARTICLEINFO ABSTRACT
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Background: The foundation of a healthy community is based on the healthy
communication between family members. In this regard, marital satisfaction
is one of the important factors in strengthening the family relationships,
Article History: which can be affected by the type of marriage as well as the family
Received: 29 Oct 2018 demographic and cultural components.
Revised: 15 Mar 2019 Methods: This study was conducted on 120 married women in Taft.
Accepted: 4 May 2019 Participants were selected by systematic sampling method using Cochran
formula. The research tools were Enrique Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire
(1998) and a researcher-made questionnaire. Validity of the latter
*Corresponding Author: questionnaire was assessed using face validity and its reliability was
Akbar Zare Shahabadi confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha.
Results: According to the results, the marital satisfaction of married women
Email:
was in moderate level. Moreover, marital satisfaction was higher among the
[email protected] villagers (P-value = 0.006), non-familial marriages (P-value = 0.006), and
housewives (P-value = 0.042) than other groups. Considering the type of
Tel: +98 9133531789 marriage, forced marriage (P-value ≤ 0.50) showed a significant relationship
with lack of life satisfaction; in other words, a higher degree of satisfaction
Citation: was observed in unforced marriages. According to the regression analysis,
Zare Shahabadi A, Montazeri four variables of couple’s age differences, education level differences,
duration of marriage, and type of marriage (forced and unforced) explained
M. A Survey of Factors Related about 43.5 percent of the dependent variable variations.
to Marital Satisfaction among Conclusion: Eventually, increase in the education level of couples decreased
Married Women in Taft City, their life satisfaction; whereas, marital satisfaction increased by increase of
Iran. Social Behavior Research age, duration of marriage, number of children. Moreover, marital satisfaction
& Health (SBRH). 2019; 3(1): was lower in forded marriages.
309-321.
Keywords: Forced Marriage, Education, Marital Satisfaction, Married
Women, Marriage Age

Copyright: This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the creative commons Attribution 4.0 license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

Introduction
Family is the best place for physical and mental marital satisfaction have agreement with each
education. It is the center of altruism and the best other in many areas, are satisfied with the type
environment for the unity between men and and level of their relationship, are satisfied with
women.1 Family provides the best opportunity for the type and quality of their leisure time, and can
individuals to achieve moral and social prosperity manage their time and financial issues.7
based on sexual satisfaction and emotional needs. Therefore, the important components of marital
The effort to strengthen family provides a platform satisfaction include the personality characteristics
for health and satisfaction in society and can and social class of couples as well as their mutual
transfer ethics from one generation to the next. understanding. Sometimes, compulsory and
Surely, a healthy family and a satisfying imposed marriages based on common beliefs and
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

marital relationship are rooted in a successful traditions can be the basis for marital
marriage. Marriage is a legal event for the dissatisfaction. In forced marriages, the consent
relationship between men and women. Marriage of one of the couples is neglected and physical
is one of the most important event that occur and mental pressures are usually imposed.
during a person's life.2 Marriage as one of the Mandatory marriage is considered as a global
most complex types of human relationships has problem, which compromises the physical,
the potential to liberate emotions that cannot be psychological, social, and cultural security of
found in other interpersonal relationships.3, 4 women. Annually, four million women are
Tranhelm calls marital relationship a process bought, sold, or forced to marry worldwide. An
through which husband and wife exchange aspect of the forced marriage is related to the
emotions and thoughts by verbal and non-verbal children. Children marriages have different
tools, such as listening, facial expressions, and consequences and damages, which affect not only
various gestures. In addition, Tranhelm believes the individuals, but also emotional relationships
that marital satisfaction is a major contributor to among family members. Taft is one of the cities
the family survival and creation of the next of Yazd province with traditional context. It
generation.5 underwent some social and cultural changes in the
Marital satisfaction is a personal experience in last two decades. These structural changes were
marriage that can only be assessed individually influenced by various social, economic, and
by each party in response to the amount of cultural factors and led to changes in family
pleasure in marital relationships. Marital structure, type of marriage, and divorce rate.
satisfaction needs adaptation of tastes, Therefore, considering that no research has ever
recognition of personality traits, creation of been conducted in this regard, it is necessary to
behavioral forces, and formation of interactive study marital satisfaction as one of the factors
patterns. Marital satisfaction depends on the related to family development among married
couple's interest in each other and their positive women in Taft. The current study examined the
attitude towards marriage, which includes factors marital satisfaction as well as factors related to
such as personal issues, communication, conflict this fundamental and important issue.
resolution, financial management, leisure Cui and Donnellan (2009) showed a
activities, sex, children and parenting, as well as significant relationship between marital conflict for
family and friends. Ellis stated that one of the the upbringing teenagers and marital satisfaction.8
best definitions of marital satisfaction was an Alson et al. (1997) reported that marriage and
objective feeling of happiness, satisfaction, and family satisfaction led to life satisfaction. The
pleasure in spouses when they consider all correlation coefficient between marital satisfaction
aspects of their marriage. 6 Couples with high and family satisfaction was about 70 percent and

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

310
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

the correlation coefficient between family marriage, they frequently exchanged their thoughts
satisfaction and life satisfaction was generally and feelings, and talked and worked together, but
about 67 percent.9 such behaviors decreased with the arrival of the
In another study in Esfehan city, Naderi et al. first child.14
(2015) concluded that empathy and forgiveness Andre (1975), in a research on 78 Dutch
were among the effective components in marital couples, indicated that in women with a relatively
satisfaction. They also found that with increase in good health status, a significant and negative
the age of couples, marital satisfaction rised.10 relationship was observed between marital
According to the results of a study by Hajizadeh satisfaction and their husbands' health problems.
Mihmandi and Dehghan Chenari (2015) the However, no significant relationship was seen
couples' life satisfaction was at a moderate level between women's health problems and marital
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

and their lifestyle was health-centered. satisfaction in men.15

Furthermore, a significant relationship was Marga (2013) stated that anxiety reduced marital
observed between lifestyle and marital satisfaction and increased the chance of divorce.16
11
satisfaction. Zare and Safiari Jafar Abad (2015) Breiton (2005) reported that pre-natal anxiety had
showed that marital satisfaction had a significant similar effects on marital satisfaction of mothers
relationship with love and interest, marriage who had just given birth. This was more observed
duration, age difference of couples, socioeconomic in women who were forced to marry.17
status, and couple's level of education. However, An overview of the research on marital
the relationship of marital satisfaction with other satisfaction and its related variables conducted in
variables such as media usage, equal education of Iran and around the world indicates the widespread
couples, family income, and women's employment and important effect of these variables. Due to the
status was not confirmed.2 deficiencies in previous studies and considering
Jawahiri and Mohammadi (2015) found that that no study has ever investigated the marital
marital satisfaction had no significant relationship satisfaction among married women in Taft, the
with traditional and non-traditional marriages. In present research was conducted.
the qualitative section, the results showed that
Theoretical framework of the research
traditionally married people were in a better status
Theorists categorized the types of couples'
with regard to secure attachment, religiosity, and
relationships based on marital satisfaction and
role playing.12
analyzed the fields and factors affecting family life
Maslehaty (2000) concluded that forced
satisfaction. Ellson and Fawres (1994) divided the
marriage and aging reduced marital satisfaction.
types of couples into four categories including
Happy couples used less aggressive words and
lively, adaptable, traditional, and conflicting.
showed more peaceful behavior. Regarding the
Lively couples have a high level of marital
length of marriage, studies showed that satisfaction
satisfaction and have the ability to express their
declined by increase of the marriage duration.
feelings and resolve the problems, and they are
During honeymoon and before the birth of first
happy with the masculine and feminine roles.
child, women were happier than ever.13
Adaptable couples have a moderate marital
According to a research by Ellis (1992), which
satisfaction and are relatively happy with each
was conducted on 1000 couples (three years after
other's personality and habits, but they may not
marriage and 20 years after marriage), with the
agree on matters concerning children and their
progress of marriage, the couples' satisfaction and
relationship. Traditional couples have modest
adjustment decreased and they felt less friendly. In
discontent with the areas of communication; they
a study in the United States, 42% of women and
are dissatisfied with the personal habits of their
44% of men stated that at the beginning of their

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

311
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

spouses. They are not comfortable in expressing husbands and men who are 0 to 10 years older than
feelings and confronting conflicts and care about their wives are happier.
religion in their marriage. Conflicting couples are In the case that couples are at the same age, they
dissatisfied with the habits and personality of their can rebuild their destiny based on continuous
spouses, and have problems with communication, shared memories. In addition to age, other factors
leisure time, sexual relations, friends, and their such as convergence of belief, education, social
spouse’s family. Some problematic patterns among aspiration, and worldview of couples can have a
couples include compulsory exchanges, mutual positive effect on marital satisfaction. Burgess and
complaints, and self-centered syndrome in Claude (1936) in their research stated that couples
discussions.18 who were socially close to each other were more
In addition, irrational expectations of life lead to compatible. Hamilton (1962) reported a direct
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

marital boredom. Non-linked patterns result in relationship between marital satisfaction and
marital incompatibility.19 Therefore, forced and homogeneity of educational level. In his view,
compulsory marriages can cause homogeneous education would help to establish an
misunderstandings and marital dissatisfaction that agreement between couples, since homogeneous
may persist throughout couple’s life. educational level shows the coordination of
Furthermore, Bergs (1966) defined family as a couple's worldview, social class, and age. It seems
social organization and believed that people should that couples' homogeneity in terms of education
choose their spouse from the same social class. In shows class convergence. In fact, the homogeneity
his opinion, people with similar viewpoints in of two individuals not only attracts them to one
traditional, familial, educational, racial, and another, but also makes their marriage more
national issues have a greater understanding of successful. Moreover, tradition is the most
each other. Homogeneous selection leads to a important factor in selecting the homogeneous
happier family and reduces divorce rate.20 spouse, which leads to the continuity and stability
Coordination in emotions and feelings, consistency of marriage. Therefore, it is expected to see higher
in ethics and behavior, as well as similar marital satisfaction in rural and traditional
worldview and interests form the basis of societies.23
successful marriages.21 In general; homogeneity According to Parsons, the most disruptive
has different characteristics, such as age, academic conditions for the family function include two
or occupational status, and social class.22 Age fundamental differences among family members:
difference between couples can play a disruptive First, two opposing poles of leadership and
role. The age difference between couples does not subordinates, and second, the difference between
only result in physical differentiation, but also instrumental and expressive roles. In his view, men
brings deep distance between two social classes, play instrumental roles and women play expressive
which may harm health and durability of the roles. According to this researcher, these divisions
family, especially in the presence of other negative of roles led to family unification.24 Men are
variables or factors.22 Allen Girard wrote: "Most of considered as the family heads and play the main
the time, people who are at the same age get role in dealing with economic issues; so, the man's
married."Although scientists believe that in most job is the decisive determinant for the legal base of
cases the large age difference between couples can the family. In this regard, women are responsible
be a destructive factor. However, researchers were for taking care of family members and children.15
not able to determine the boundaries of age Parsons describes this division of roles as the best
differences. According to Bernard, the happiest way for family unity; he believes that interference
women are five to six years younger than their of roles destroy the balance of family. For
example, employed women lose their expressive

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

312
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

roles and become the competitor of their husbands. expressed that marital satisfaction in women had a
This competition between husband and wife leads negative and significant relationship with the
to disparity in the family.25 Women’s employment, power of their husbands. According to Georges
their access to economic resources, and their Muko, the males' autocratic roles made the woman
participation in new social environments have to feel worthless and caused family imbalance.15
changed the several hundred years of family Another theory in this regard is Horkheimer's
structure, which indicates the need for a new theory. He believes that in industrial societies the
equilibrium in family. The traditional relationship importance of family, as a basic economic unit,
and distribution of duties between couples must be was reduced and therefore, the community
newly constructed.23 However, some believe that emphasized on its traditional form. In the
women's employment fulfills many needs, meantime, women, in particular, are hurt more than
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

including engagement with work environment and men, because they must not only adapt themselves
its challenges as well as experiment of diversity to the role of breadwinners in the men's world, but
and power that may not be fulfilled at family.26 It also offer the traditional role of housewives.24
seems that women are more relaxed when they
Methods
become financially independent and this has a
The present descriptive research was conducted
profound effect on their relationships with their
in 2018. The statistical population of the study
spouse, children, and other segments of society;
included 8322 married women in Taft city, Yazd
consequently, it leads to marital satisfaction in
province, Iran. Two stage cluster sampling method
life.27
was used and 120 people were selected as the
Based on William Good's theory, family, similar
participants of the study. In the first stage, the city
to any other system or social unit, has an authority
map was prepared and eight neighborhoods were
system and anyone who has the most access to
selected as clusters using random method. Then,
important family resources can make other
systematic method was used and families were
members of the family to behave or act according
selected from clusters. Later, married women were
to the rules set by authority. Good stated that
interviewed. The following questionnaires were
resources such as position, social status, place
used to collect data:
outside the family, occupation, and political
A) Demographic questionnaire: This researcher-
authority can influence the power of other family
made questionnaire was designed to collect the
members.25 Therefore, a conflict of power rises
information about the demographic factors and
between couples in the family. This conflict can
family status of the participants. The questionnaire
happen with regard to various issues such as
includes multiple choice questions and assesses the
emotional issues or selection of field of study for
variables such as age, housing status, family
children, etc.28 Most studies showed that happy
income, husband and wife's occupations, place of
couples were determined by common decision
birth, couples' family relationship, and marriage
making, useful dialogue, and mutual agreement.
type.
The domination of one spouse or widespread
B) Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire: Enrij’s
disagreement over power is related to divorce and
marital satisfaction questionnaire (1998) measures
marital dissatisfaction. Divorce and marital
marital satisfaction through the following seven
dissatisfaction are relevant to decision-making on
dimensions of marital relationship.
money issues. Contradictions are inevitable when
1.Personal issues: This scale evaluates the
one of the couples is spendthrift and the other is
participants' understanding of their spouse
thinking about saving money. Todd and Friedman
according to their behaviors and characteristics as
found that in unsuccessful marriages, husbands
well as their level of satisfaction. A high score
made all the important decisions.29 Andre Michel

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

313
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

indicates a low level of acceptance or lack of 7.Roles about equality between men and
comfort with the personality and behavior of the women: This scale evaluates attitudes, feelings,
spouse, while a low score reflects the adoption and beliefs about different marital roles. Low
with the spouse. scores represent equal values and high scores mean
2.Marital relationship: It is related to the unequal values.
feelings, beliefs, and attitudes of a person towards The Enrique questionnaire consists of 115
the role of communication in marital relationships. questions; its reliability was estimated as 0.93 by
Low scores indicate the couples' awareness and Navabinejad and Naderi (1991). However, in this
satisfaction with the level and type of research, the Enrique Short Questionnaire was
communication in their relationships, whereas, used, which was prepared by Soleimani Nejad
high scores indicate lack of satisfaction in their (1994) with Cronbach Alpha of 0.93. In addition,
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

relationship. in order to confirm the face or content validity of

3.Conflict Resolution: This scale evaluates the questionnaire, the viewpoints of professors in
attitudes, feelings, and beliefs of the spouse in social sciences, education, and psychology fields in
creating or resolving the conflict. A low score Yazd University were used. As a result, a number
reflects realistic attitudes towards social conflicts of questions were corrected and deleted.
in marital relations, whereas, a high score Cronbach's alpha was also calculated to confirm
represents dissatisfaction with the way of conflicts' the reliability of the tool, which was 0.91 for the
resolution. general questionnaire and more than 0.8 for
4.Financial Supervision: This scale focuses on different dimensions of the questionnaire. Each
the interests and attitudes associated with the question had five options of very low, low,
economic approach and issues that affect the medium, high, and very high, which were scored
husband and wife relationship. A low score from 1 to 5. The high scores in this questionnaire
indicates satisfaction about the financial issues and show dissatisfaction, while low scores indicate
a realistic attitude towards it. A high score satisfaction about the marital relationship. The
represents different concerns about financial minimum attainable score was 41 and the
management in marital relations. maximum score was 205
5.Sexual Relationship: These items reflect the Collected data were analyzed by SPSS. Data
satisfaction of couples in expressing emotions and analysis was performed by t-test, Chi-square,
comforts about sexual matters and sexual correlation coefficient, and multivariate regression.
intercourses. The low scores reflect the satisfaction
Results
about expressing emotions and positive attitudes
Based on the results, the average age of women
towards sexual issues or disagreement over
was 31.5 years, the average age of their husbands
decisions about the methods of pregnancy
was 36.5 years, the average age of women at
prevention. However, the high scores indicate
marriage time was approximately 19.5 years, and
dissatisfaction.
the average age of their husbands at marriage time
6.Marriage and Kids: This scale assesses the
was approximately 25 years. The average level of
couples’ perceptions and feelings about having a
education in women was 11.50 grades and the
child and agreement over the number of children.
average education level of their spouses was 10.50
It also reflects a realistic understanding about the
grades. Participants had two children in average.
effects of marital relationships on children and
The average length of their marriage was about 12
satisfaction about parental roles and
years and 35.7 percent got married to their
responsibilities. A high score indicates
relatives. Furthermore, 65.7 percent of the
dissatisfaction about decisions over having a baby
marriages were non-forced and 34.3 percent were
or the number of children.

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

314
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

forced marriage. The results also showed that 85.7 sector employees, and middle income earners had
percent of participants were housewives and 14.3 higher marital satisfaction, it can be said that
percent of them were employed. In the case of traditional life style brings higher marital
husbands, 5.7 percent were unemployed, 34.3 satisfaction. Although urban life has increased
percent were employed in governmental sector, industrial progress, employment, income, speed of
and 60 percent were employed in non- life, and well-being, it raised the level of needs and
governmental sector. In addition, 91.4 percent of reduced living satisfaction. As we know, rural
women were native to Yazd province and 8.6 women and housewives have a traditional lifestyle,
percent were non-native. Considering the family according to the results of this study, a significant
income, 8.6 percent of families had an income of and statistical relationship was observed between
less than 200 thousand Tomans, 40 percent had an this issue and marital satisfaction.
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

income between 200-350 thousand Tomans, 35.7 According to the results of Chi-square test, a
percent had an income between 350 - 500 thousand significant relationship was found between place of
Tomans, and 15.7 percent had an income over 500 birth and the type of marriage, which means that
thousand Tomans. 14.7 percent were rural and 84.3 forced marriages were more common in the
percent were urban. Table 1 shows the main villages. Moreover, a significant relationship was
variables of research and their dimensions. observed between familial marriages and forced
Moreover, this table shows the difference between marriages. Unemployed participants also had more
the mean of marital satisfaction. forced marriages. However, no significant
According to Table1, a significant relationship relationship was observed between residence status
was seen between the place of birth (0.05 ≤0.006) and type of marriage.
and marital satisfaction; marital satisfaction was According to Table 3, marital satisfaction had a
higher in rural women. The average of marital significant and inverse correlation with women’s
satisfaction (0.05≥ 0.65) was higher in non-native education (0.05 ≤ -0.006) and husband's education
women, but this relationship was not significant. (0.05 ≤ 0.015). In other words, as the level of
The average of marital satisfaction (0.05≥ 0.31) education increases, marital satisfaction decreases.
was higher among those who had familial marriage Considering that increased level of education leads
than others, but this relationship was not to an increase the awareness of society, living
significant. The average of marital satisfaction in standards, level of expectations, and needs, the
housewives was higher than employed women; this marital satisfaction reduces.
relationship was statistically significant (0.05 ≤ A significant and positive relationship was
0.042). Mean of marital satisfaction in unforced found between the number of children (0.05 ≤
marriages was higher than forced marriages and 0.004) and marital satisfaction, so that higher
this relationship was also statistically significant. number of children increased the marital
Marital satisfaction in middle-income groups satisfaction. This correlation was spurious because
was higher than low and high income groups, but it was affected by age. A significant relationship
this relationship was not significant (0.05≥ 0.18). was observed between duration of marriage (0.05 ≤
Women who had unemployed husbands were less 0.009) and life satisfaction, so that longer marriage
satisfied. Women whose husbands were employed durations increased the marital satisfaction in the
in the non-governmental sector were more satisfied couples. Additionally, life satisfaction had a
than others, but this relationship was not significant relationship with the age of couples
statistically significant (0.05 ≥ 0.97). (age of the woman (0.05 ≤0.001), age of husbands
Regarding the fact that rural and non-native (0.05 ≤ 0.000), age of couples at marriage time
women, women who had familial marriage, non- (age of women at marriage time (0.05 ≤0.03), and
employed (housewives) women, non-governmental age of husbands at marriage time (0.05 ≤0.001).

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

315
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

This means that marital satisfaction increases by analysis. Correlation coefficient of variables with
increase of age, which can be due to increase of life satisfaction was R = 66.4 and the coefficient of
awareness and consciousness of individuals. determination was R2 = 43.6. It means that 43.5
Furthermore, by gaining experience in marital life, percent of variance for the dependent variable was
the individual's ability to resolve conflicts of life explained by the four variables in the analysis. In
increases as a result marital satisfaction increases. addition, regression model according to ANOVA
However, marital satisfaction had a negative and test was linear and significant, since the value of F
significant relationship with age difference for determining the significance of the independent
between couples (0.05 ≤-0.000). As the age variables on marital satisfaction was 211. 379 and
difference increased, marital satisfaction of life the significance level was P-value = 0.000. In
decreased. In addition, with increase of education Table 4, the order of independent variables in the
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

level gap between couples, marital satisfaction regression model, along with its corresponding
decreased. Consequently, it seems that individuals coefficients and its significant level are shown.
at any age have special needs and desires; they According to the above table and the
have different levels of awareness and insight in standardized beta coefficients, the dependent
every educational level. Therefore, age and variable was affected by the age difference of
education inconsistencies lead to the lack of couples with β = - 0.437, their educational
understanding of needs and demands, which lead inconsistency with β = -0.332, duration of marriage
to misunderstandings and consequently decrease with β = 0.323, and marriage type with β = 0.105.
the marital satisfaction. It can be seen that age disparity had the greatest
impact on life satisfaction. On the other hand, age
The result of multivariate regression analysis
and educational disparity had a negative impact on
between marital satisfaction and independent
marital satisfaction and the duration of marriage
variables
and unforced marriage had a positive impact on
In order to determine the marital satisfaction,
marital satisfaction.
multivariate regression in step by step method was
used. After regression analysis, four independent
variables, from 10 variables remained in the

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

316
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

Table 1. Mean of marital satisfaction in terms of demographic variables

variables dimensions Percentage mean of satisfaction F/T P-value

Village 15.7 120.1 2.8 0.006
Place of birth City 84.3 47.4
Native 91.4 100.6 0.44 0.65
Residence status Non-native 8.6 105.5
Related 35.7 100.6 1.1 0.31
Couples family
relationship Not related 64.3 80.7
Women's Unemployed 85.7 105 1.89 0.042
employment Employed 64.3 80.7
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

Unforced marriage 65.7 103.2 6.41 0.000

Type of marriage Forced marriage 34.3 87.5
Unemployed 5.7 99 0.24 0.97
Husband's job Nongovernmental sector 34.3 100.5
Governmental sector 60 101.5
Less than 1000000 thousand tomans 8.6 100.17 1.65 0.18
1000000-2000000 thousand tomans 40 110.18
Family income
2000000-3000000 thousand tomans 35.7 105.8
Over 3000000 thousand tomans 15.7 87.4

Table 2. Results of Chi-square test for different variables and marriage type (forced and unforced)
Variables χ significance level
Place of birth
Village-City
24.7 0.000
Couples family relationship
Related-Not related
37.1 0.000
Women's employment
Unemployed-Employed
29.5 0.000
Residence status
Native-Non-native
2.1 0.24

Table 3. Correlation of marital satisfaction with age and educational disparity

Variables correlation coefficient significance level
Women’s education -0.323 0.006
Husband's education -0.289 0.015
Number of children 0.336 0.004
Duration of marriage 0.309 0.009
Woman's age 0.400 0.001
Woman's age at marriage time 0.181 0.03
Husband's age 0.430 0.000
Husband's age at marriage time 0.396 0.001
Age difference in couples (age disparity) -0.881 0.000
Educational difference in couples (academic disparity) -0.823 0.000

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

317
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

Table 4. The order of independent variables in the regression model and the corresponding coefficients
Raw coefficients Standard coefficients
Independent variables T sig
β std Beta
Alpha coefficient 7.32 - - - -
Age difference in couples (age disparity) 1.67 0.188 -.437 8.8 0.000
Educational gap in couples (academic disparity) 1.63 0.199 -.332 8.2 0.000
Marriage duration 3.98 0.643 0.323 6.18 0.000
Type of marriage -7.28 2.36 0.105 3.078 0.000

Discussion employment and marital satisfaction, which was

Marriage is one of the most complex and rare consistent with the results of Zare and Safiari
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

forms of human interpersonal relationships. Jafarabad (2015). A significant and positive

Consent and cooperation between couples relationship was also found between the number of
strengthen the family structure. According to children and the marital satisfaction, which was
experts, marriage must be based on morality, love, consistent with results of Johnson (2009).
affection, and mutual understanding to bring hope Considering that education changes the attitude of
and happiness. Forced marriage makes this sacred women towards life and increases their level of
bonding a terrible nightmare and causes personal, expectation, it is expected that women with a high
familial, and social serious problems. Scientific education level feel less satisfied. The reason is
study of marital satisfaction has been strongly that satisfaction is a relative concept that decreases
considered since the 1990s. In fact, study of by increase of living standards and expectations.
marital satisfaction provides a general assessment On the other hand, employed and educated women
of communication status. Marital satisfaction and have economic power and express their
adaptation are the broadest concepts for expectations and lack of satisfaction more often,
determining the happiness and sustainability of the while low-educated or illiterate women, due to
relationship. It seems that when women are forced their lack of knowledge about their standards and
to marry they are not content with their married rights and lack of self-confidence do not express
life. Various factors affect the marital satisfaction. their dissatisfaction.
In this research, some of the factors related to According to the results, by increasing the age
marital satisfaction were investigated. The purpose of couples, duration of marriage, and age of
of this study was to investigate the effective factors couples at the marriage time, life satisfaction
on marital satisfaction. According to the results of increases. These results are not consistent with
this study, marital satisfaction among married results of Maslehati (2018), Ellis (1992), and
women in Taft city was at the moderate level. Nadery et al. (2015) who believed that by
According to the results of this research, a increasing the duration of marriage, the exchange
significant relationship was found between the of thoughts and intimate conversation between
place of birth (city and village) and marital couples's decreases. However, these results are
satisfaction. Apart from the fact that the villagers consistent with the results of Naderi et al. (2015),
have a simpler life, the role of tradition in the Zare and Safiari Jafar Abad (2015) and Ellis
villages cause the habitants to make more (1992). It seems that older people get used to their
homogeneous decisions, which contributes to the problem and do not report it as a problem; they
continuity and stability of marriage. However, this also adapt themselves to the conditions of their
result was not consistent with the results of spouse. On the other hand, over time, people get
Javaheri and Mohammadi (2015). Moreover, there enough experience to solve their marital problems.
was a negative relationship between women's Furthermore, conservatism of older people should

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

318
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

be considered as another reason for not expressing between couples and children. Divorce, escape
dissatisfaction. When older people get married, from home, suspicion, lack of understanding
they have enough experience, have more logical between couples, domestic violence, and offended
marriages, and are more successful in solving children etc. are among the horrific outcomes of
problems in their relationships. An important point this type of marriages. In fact, forced marriage,
is that, when couples age and education differences causes marital dissatisfaction undoubtedly. On the
(age and education disparities) increases, marital other hand, according to the results of this research
satisfaction decreases. Given that expectations of forced marriages had a significant relationship with
people, their attitude towards life, and their level of place of birth, couples' family relationship,
awareness at different age and educational levels employment, and education of women. In other
are different, this dissatisfaction is predictable. words, forced marriages are more common in the
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

Moreover, a significant relationship was villages, family marriages, as well as among

observed between marriage type and life unemployed and lower-educated women. It is
satisfaction; life satisfaction in the forced worth noting that among the villagers, despite the
marriages was lower than unforced marriages, higher number of forced marriages, life satisfaction
which was consistent with the results of Maslehati is higher. This paradox is due to the development
(2000). Consrigere means being physically or of social and cultural norms in the villages, social
psychologically abusive, whether people are forced support of the family and their participation in
to do something despite their desire, or because collective activities, which eliminates the effects of
they have been prevented from doing what they imposition in marriage over time.
want. Prevalence of forced marriage has become a
Conclusion
social dilemma in many countries. This
According to the results, in order to reduce the
phenomenon is not limited to third world countries,
number of forced and unequal marriages and to
although it is often stated that in traditional
increase the level of marital satisfaction, the
countries women's rights are ignored in issues such
following items are suggested:
as choosing a spouse, making decisions on the
Educational and age differences of the couples
family, and getting divorce. However, in the
should be considered at the time of marriage. It is
current age, these issues are solved in industrial
better for women to be 5 to 6 years younger than
societies such as Germany.30 Forced marriages
their husbands or at least be at the same age.
were widespread in our country and were reported
Although marital satisfaction is higher in
in some provinces such as Kurdistan, Khuzestan,
villagers, but due to the prevalence of tribal
as well as Sistan and Baluchestan, but there are
traditions and beliefs, familial and forced
still no accurate data on the number and extent of
marriages are still very common in these areas.
this social harm. The first negative effects of
Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the level of
forced marriages (especially in the lower ages) are
marital satisfaction among rural married girls and
related to the body of women and threaten their
their parents also should be aware of the
physical health. Moreover, people who are forced
consequences of forced marriages through
to get married suffer from mental and
education.
psychological disorders; suddenly, they are
Women's employment can lead to self-
separated from family and are forced to live with
sufficiency; lack of education and unemployment
someone who has no interest in. These injuries are
in women caused by their lack of authority and
more serious in the case of a significant age gap
independence in decision making can lead to
between husband and wife. The harm caused by
forced marriages and marital dissatisfaction. On
the forced marriage is not limited to individual
the other hand, employment and high education of
injuries and affects the emotional relationships

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

319
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

women due to the interference of men and University of Medical Sciences. Teb va
women's roles and lack of their cooperation will Tazkiye. 2002;4(10):4-9. [Persian]
lead to marital dissatisfaction. Therefore, 4. Sadegh Moghadam L, Askari F, Marouzi P,
opportunities of education and employment of Shams H, Tahmasbi S. Comparison of
single girls should be provided as much as possible
marriage satisfaction in housewives and
and men's co-operation in home affairs and
employed women and their husbands in
upbringing of children should be considered in the
families with employed women.
Gonabad. Horizon of Medical Sciences.
It is better to prevent girls from getting married 2006;12(2):45-50. [Persian]
at an early age; the marriage centers and offices 5. Fatehizadeh M, Ahmadi A. Relationship
should avoid registering these marriages. between marriage communication patterns
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

Intellectual and social maturity should replace and marital satisfaction of couples working
physical and religious maturity. in Isfahan University. Journal Of Family
Conflicts of Interest Research. 2005;1(2):109-119. [Persian]
The authors declare that there is no conflict of 6. Bahari Z. Role of the life stlye on marital
interest in this work. satisfaction. Counseling Culture and
Psycotherapy. 2015;6(22):125-145. [Persian]
Acknowledgments
Authors are truly tankful to the study participants’ 7. Greef AP. Characteristics of family that
women of Taft city. Further, in the current study function well. Journal of Family Issues.
all ethical issues were observed base on the 2000;21(8):948-963.
Helsinki Declaration. 8. Cui M, Donnellan MB. Trajectories of
Authors' Contribution conflict over raising adolescent children and
Conceptualization, A.Z.S.; Methodology, marital satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and
A.Z.S.; Formal Analysis, A.Z.S.; Investigation, Family. 2009;71(3):478-494.
A.Z.S.; Writing Review & Editing, A.Z.S.; 9. Bakhtiari A. Satisfaction survey of marital
Resources, M.M. Writing - Orginal Draft, A.Z.S.
life in four types of family structure. Journal
All authors read and approved the final manuscript
and are responsible about any question related to of Women's Research. 2008;2(1):33-53.
article. [Persian]
10. Naderi L, Molavi H, Nory A. The
References prediction of marital satisfaction of couples
1. Ebrahimi Bakhtour D. A Discussion on the in isfahan based on empathy and forgiveness.
Psychology of Marriage. Tabriz: Saadi Knowledge & Research in Applied
Publishing; 1985. P:46. [Persian] Psychology. 2017;16(4):69-75. [Persian]
2. Zare B, Safyari Jafarabad H. The study of 11. Hajizadeh Meimandi M, Dehghan Chenary
marital satisfaction and its determinants on M. The relationship of healthy life style with
married women and men in Tehran city. marital life satisfaction among married
Women's Studies Sociological and women in Yazd. Journal of Woman in
Psychological. 2015; 13(1): 111-140. Culture Arts. 2015;7(1):61-76. [Persian]
[Persian] 21. Jwaheri Mohamadi M, Klantar Kosheh S,
3. Shahidi M, Yousefi F. Survay of problems Farah Baksh K. The comparison of marital
and marriage critaria of students in Kurdistan satisfaction between traditional and non-
traditional couples in Tehran. Family

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

320
 Marital Satisfaction among Married Women in Taft Zare Shahabadi A, et al.
[ DOI: 10.18502/sbrh.v3i1.1035 ]

Counseling and Psychotherapy. 2015;5(2): Kayhan Publication; 1991. P:77. [Persian]

123-142. [Persian] 21. Taqavi N. Review of the status of marriage
13. Maslehati H. Marriage and therapy and divorce in Tabriz city. East Azarbaijan
marriage. Tehran: Alborz; 2005. [Persian] Governorate;1995. P:158. [Persian]
14. Ellis BJ. The evolution of sex attraction: 22. Hosseini A. Matrimonial maturity and
Evolution mechanisms in women. The family strength. Journal of Women.
adapted mind, evolution of psychology and 1001;10:53-54. [Persian]
generation of culture. New York: Oxford 23. Sarukhani B. Introduction to family
University; 1992. sociology. Tehran: Soroush Publication;
21. Michel A. Family and Marriage Sociology, 2009. P:66-188. [Persian]
Downloaded from sbrh.ssu.ac.ir at 10:16 IRDT on Wednesday July 31st 2019

Translated by: Ardalan F. Tehran: 24. Azazi Sh. Family sociology. Tehran:
Publications of the Faculty of Social Roshangar Publications and Women's
Sciences and Cooperatives, Tehran Studies; 2008. P:71-12. [Persian]
University. 1975;73-204. 25. Azazi Sh. Family violence in beaten
16. Korporaal M, Broese van Groenou MI, women. Tehran: High Publication; 2001.
Tilburg TG. Health Problems and Marital P:81-120. [Persian]
Satisfaction Among Older Couples. Journal 26. Carlson J, Sperry L, Lewis J. Family
of Aging and Health. 2013;25(8):1279-1298. Therapy Ensuring Effective Treatment,
17. Britton JR. Pre‐discharge anxiety among Translated by: Navabnezhad Sh. 2nd ed.
mothers of well newborns: Prevalence and Publication of the Association of Educators
correlates. Acta Paediatrica. 2005;94(12): and Principals; 1999. P:43.
1771-1776. 27. Ghaemi A. The life of a woman in islamic
21. Olson, D. H.(1994).The relationships thought. Tehran: Amiri Publication; 1991. P:
between communication skils and marital 83. [Persian]
satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and Family. 28. Sadr Nabavi R. Society and the individual.
59 884-919. Mashhad: Book Buy Bostan; 1991. P:330.
19. Adler Baeder F, Higginbotham B, Lamke [Persian]
L. Putting empirical knowledge to work: 29. Chelabi M. Social analysis in action space.
Linking research and programming on 1st ed. Tehran: Ney Publication; 2006. P:230.
marital quality. Family Relations. 2004; 30. Sheikhi MT. Sociology of women and
53(5): 537-346. family. Tehran: Publication Company; 2001.
20. Sarukhani B. An Introduction to the P: 54. [Persian]
encyclopedia of social sciences. Tehran:

SBRH. Volume 3, Issue 1, May 2019; 309-321

321