Abstract
Role balance theory proposed that a well-organized self-system, rather than a salient hierarchy role, contributes to individual psychological well-being. However, research on role balance focuses only on the intrapersonal process without regard for the interpersonal process on the spouse’s well-being. Furthermore, pervious studies were all conducted in the East cultures (countries) which lead to the doubt whether the theory could be applied into East cultures such as collectivism. Therefore, in this study, we surveyed 204 dyads form Taiwan. Participants completed the Role Balance Scale and Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to analyze the data. Results indicated that the husband’s role balance positively predicted his own and his wife’s marital satisfaction. Similarly, the wife’s role balance also had a positive effect on her own and her husband’s marital satisfaction. These results suggest that the influence of role balance is bidirectional within couples. Moreover, model comparisons demonstrated that the wife’s marital satisfaction was affected more by her own role balance than by her husband’s role balance. Possible mechanisms, limitations and implications of this study are discussed.
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Notes
We included both members of each couple’s age, education, number of children, and income in the correlation. These demographic variables were not correlated with role balance and marital satisfaction. Therefore, we did not report these correlations in the Table 1. Details can be obtained from the corresponding author.
Due to some residual errors, analyses between the items were not significant. We drew the non-significant parameters and conducted additional analyses. Results indicated that the additional model fit well with data and that the pattern of model comparisons did not change. Because the APIM was used to account for the nonindependence of observations, we retained the parameters even they were not non-significant. Results of additional analyses can be obtained from the corresponding author.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by a grant from the National Science Council to Tsui-Shan Li (NSC96-2413-H-030-002-MY3). We are also grateful for Yun-Ci Ye for his insightful comments on the earlier versions of manuscript. Thanks also go to Hao-Yin Teng for her assistance with data collection and entry.
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An earlier version of this manuscript was presented at the 5th European Conference on Positive Psychology, Copenhagen, Denmark July 2010.
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Chen, L.H., Li, TS. Role Balance and Marital Satisfaction in Taiwanese Couples: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Approach. Soc Indic Res 107, 187–199 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-011-9836-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-011-9836-3