Predictors of marital satisfaction in North Cyprus: exploring the gender effects

Yucel D., Koydemir S.

JOURNAL OF FAMILY STUDIES, cilt.21, sa.2, ss.120-143, 2015 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 21 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2015
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/13229400.2015.1017908
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF FAMILY STUDIES
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.120-143
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: marital interaction, marital satisfaction, Northern Cyprus, gender ideology, gender, LONG-TERM, SEXUAL SATISFACTION, LIFE SATISFACTION, LOW-INCOME, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, QUALITY, HAPPINESS, AGGRESSION, MARRIAGE, COMMUNICATION
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Using ecosystemic theory, we evaluated marital satisfaction among 501 married individuals living in Northern Cyprus by analyzing socio-economic, attitudinal, psychological, contextual, and relationship-specific factors. In addition, we tested whether the correlates of marital satisfaction vary between men and women. Using ordered logistic regression analysis, we found that relationship-specific indicators are the most important correlates of marital satisfaction. Specifically, higher levels of marital interaction and sexual satisfaction, no presence of physical and verbal aggression, higher satisfaction with the division of household labor, and better communication with one's spouse are significantly and positively correlated with higher marital satisfaction. In addition, respondents who were born in Northern Cyprus report higher marital satisfaction compared to immigrants, whereas those who have been married at least once before and those with poor mental health report significantly lower marital satisfaction. When we test differences in the correlates of marital satisfaction between males and females, the results suggest that among women only, native North Cypriots report higher marital satisfaction than immigrants do.