A Comparative Study of Marital Adjustment and Marital Satisfaction among Husbands and Wives

Abstract

The present study examines gender differences in marital adjustment and marital satisfaction among husbands and wives. A comparative approach was employed to assess both dimensions using paired-samples analysis. Findings revealed that wives reported significantly higher marital adjustment than husbands, suggesting that women tend to invest greater emotional effort and adaptability within marital relationships. Conversely, husbands reported higher marital satisfaction, highlighting a paradoxical dynamic wherein greater adjustment does not necessarily translate into greater subjective satisfaction for women. Strong positive correlations between spouses’ adjustment and satisfaction scores underscore the dyadic and interdependent nature of marital relationships. The results emphasize the influence of gender roles and social expectations in shaping marital experiences, with implications for counseling and interventions aimed at fostering equity and reciprocity within marriages.