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Satisfaction with Love Life Across the Adult Life Span

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Abstract

Three issues concerning the relationship between age and satisfaction with love life are examined in this study. The first issue concerns the age generalizability of the factor structure of the Satisfaction With Love Life Scale (SWLLS). The second issue explores the influence of background factors, namely age, on satisfaction with love life. Finally, the third issue concerns the relation between scores on the SWLLS with those on other relationship constructs. A total of 1,284 women (48 %) and men participated in the study. The mean ages were 38 years; ages ranged from 18 to 90. The results showed that the factor structure of responses to the Satisfaction With Love Life Scale are highly similar across the adult life. Adults reported higher satisfaction with love life than older adults. As predicted love life satisfaction was correlated with measures of other relational constructs. Satisfaction with love life was positively correlated with erotic and agapic orientations among young adults, adults and older adults. Unexpected significant positive associations between love satisfaction, and Ludus and Mania were found among adults. Significant negative correlations were found between love satisfaction, and romantic loneliness. Significant positive associations between love satisfaction, and partnership commitment, sexual desire, satisfaction with life and affective well-being were found for the three age groups, except for older adults and this last variable. Suggestions concerning possible uses of the SWLLS are advanced.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200 - 135, Porto, Portugal

    Félix Neto & Maria da Conceição Pinto

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  1. Félix Neto
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  2. Maria da Conceição Pinto
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Correspondence to Félix Neto.

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Neto, F., da Conceição Pinto, M. Satisfaction with Love Life Across the Adult Life Span. Applied Research Quality Life 10, 289–304 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-014-9314-6

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