The subject of divorce has been the topic of multiple research s.docx
Malecek Research Proposal
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JOINT PARENTAL LEAVE AT THE BIRTH OF A CHILD
AND MARITAL SATISFACTION
by
JESSICA A. MALECEK
A THESIS
submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
MASTER OF ARTS
Marriage and Family Therapy Program
MOUNT MERCY UNIVERSITY
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2016
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Abstract
A couple’s first child can be an especially exciting experience; however, many studies have
found that the birth of a child is also associated with a decline in marital satisfaction (Belsky &
Pensky, 1988; Belsky, Spanier, & Rovine, 1983; Belsky, Lang, & Rovine, 1985; Cowan, Cowan,
Coie, & Coie, 1978; Lawrence, Rothman, Cobb, Rothman, & Bradbury, 2008; Twenge,
Campbell, & Foster, 2003). In the marriage and family therapy field, it is imperative that
research is conducted on protective factors for these susceptible families. Currently, little to no
research has been conducted on the effects of joint parental leave on marital satisfaction at the
birth of a child. By inspecting these factors, valuable insight will be gained regarding the
relationship between joint parental leave and marital satisfaction. Therefore, this study’s purpose
is to analyze whether joint parental leave at the birth of a child affects marital satisfaction. The
data will be collected using a quantitative scale including participants from a local company
before and after a new parental leave policy is put in place. Participants will include 128 married
couples expecting their first child. Participants will be surveyed 2 weeks before the birth of the
child and 6 months postpartum, with each parent responding to the dyadic adjustment scale at
these times. An ANOVA test will be used to test the hypothesis that joint parental leave will
buffer against the decline in marital satisfaction. A Pearson’s product moment correlation will
be run to test the relationship between the length of leave taken and martial satisfaction.
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Introduction
The issue of maternal and paternal leave has been of focus for lawmakers worldwide.
Countries vary in the amount of leave parents can take, whether or not leave is financially
subsidized, and the actual amount allotted for reimbursement. The majority of the businesses in
the United States remain without paid maternity or paternity leave. This financially limits
couples and can directly influence their leave taking behavior. With child expenses ever-
increasing and men feeling obliged to support their family, many men in the United States are
not taking leave or are only taking a very short leave at the birth of a child. In fact, men in the
United States on average only take 6.5 days off work at the birth of their first child (Feldman,
Sussman, & Zigler, 2004).
Numerous studies have contributed to the finding that the birth of a child is associated
with a decline in marital satisfaction. Extreme cases of marital satisfaction decline can result in
divorce. It is well documented that divorce can have various negative consequences on children.
With this being said, it is increasingly important to find ways to increase a couple’s marital
satisfaction and keep families intact.
Problem Statement
Beginning as far back as 1950, there has been research on the decline in marital
satisfaction at the birth of a child which has continued ever since (Belsky & Pensky, 1988;
Belsky, Spanier, & Rovine, 1983; Belsky, Lang, & Rovine, 1985; Cowan, Cowan, Coie, & Coie,
1978). Currently, there is a substantial amount of literature on this decline in martial satisfaction
(Lawrence, Rothman, Cobb, Rothman, & Bradbury, 2008; Twenge, Campbell, & Foster, 2003).
There has also been a tremendous amount of research on wives’ dissatisfaction and womens’
issues postpartum (Lawrence, Rothman, Cobb, Rothman, & Bradbury, 2008; Dew & Wilcox,
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2011; Shapiro, Gottman, & Carrére, 2000; Feldman, 2000). Research has also focused on
maternity leave while joint parental leave is still widely understudied.
Paternal leave is a relatively new phenomenon worldwide, with little research on the
process of how men decide to take leave, how long of a leave they take, their experiences and
attitudes of fatherhood, and how they view themselves in this role. With the exception of
Rehel’s study (2014) there is no research on joint parental leave at the birth of a child. In some
areas of the world, this is now a possibility for couples and therefore should be studied in depth.
Joint parental leave at the birth of a child and its effects on marital satisfaction have yet to be
explored in the current literature.
Without identifying ways to safeguard against the decline in marital satisfaction at the
birth of a child, the couple and parental dyad suffers. This leaves the couple susceptible to
dissolution, an increase in conflict, a decrease in communication, and other detrimental factors.
In not exploring possible interventions, society is leaving these couples vulnerable by not
providing external support during a difficult transition point in their lives.
Examining whether joint parental leave at the birth of a child is associated with marital
satisfaction, will give clarity into possible protective factors. This study will likely spur further
research in the area of joint parental leave effects on couples and their relationships. If it is
found that joint parental leave is associated with a lessened decline in marital satisfaction at the
birth of a child, it would provide support to countries currently lacking maternity and/or paternity
leave policy and possibly an incentive to provide paid leave to these families. Having the option
of joint parental leave available to more couples will give them time to adjust to the transition of
parenthood, afford them the opportunity to see each partners’ contribution, and allow the parents
to negotiate parenting strategies. Additionally, it would allocate the couple more personal time,
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give the couple a shared experience, give the couple time to bond, and allow for more
opportunities for intimacy as well as communication.
Purpose Statement
The purpose of this quantitative survey study will be to test the effect of joint parental leave on
marital satisfaction in a local company before and after the implementation of a new parental
leave policy. The independent variable will be defined as joint parental leave for at least three
weeks time after the birth of a child. The second independent variable will be the actual length of
joint parental leave. The dependent variables of martial satisfaction will be defined by the dyadic
adjustment scale.
Literature Review
Marital Satisfaction
According to systems theory, the addition of a new member into a family can cause
turmoil as the system reorganizes itself to compensate for the change. This is true of a new child
with the addition of a parent-child dyad, the mother-child dyad, the father-child dyad, while at
the same time straining the marital dyad. Research began to follow parents longitudinally and
noted negative changes in many aspects of both men’s and women’s adaptation as individuals
and couples (Belsky & Pensky, 1988, Cowan & Cowan, 1988, Worthington & Buston, 1987).
Nearly every study found a decline in partners’ marital satisfaction. Thirteen out of fifteen
longitudinal transition to parenthood studies were reviewed and concluded that martial
satisfaction declines after the birth of a child (Cowan & Cowan, 1995; White & Booth, 1985).
Studies overseas seas revealed the same conclusion (Engfer, 1988; Schneewind, 1983; Clulow,
1982). Furthermore, marital satisfaction has been found to decline at a sharper rate with couples
who have children in comparison with couples who do not (Lawrence et al., 2008).
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Additionally, research has cited parents’ depression as a risk factor for the quality of the marital
relationship (Field, Healy, Goldstein, & Guthertx, 1990). The length of maternity leave itself
was also found to impact marriage, with a shorter maternity leave being associated with an
increased negative impact on marriage (Feldman, Sussman, & Zigler, 2004). This field of
research is especially important, in that studies have suggested that the transition to parenthood is
more likely to lead to declines to marital quality than it was in the past (Twenge, Campbell, &
Foster, 2003).
Factors that could contribute to the decline in marital satisfaction include the following:
marital conflict arising from scheduling difficulties at work; accumulated fatigue; problems
locating appropriate daycare; or poor coordination of parenting roles (Lawrence, Rothman,
Cobb, Rothman, & Bradbury, 2008). The shifts within the marriage following the birth of a
child include less time available for the couple (LaRossa & LaRossa, 1981), and the meaning
and frequency of sex being altered – sometimes differently for men and women (Osofsky &
Osofsky, 1984). The majority of research has found that as couples’ transition into parenthood,
positive interchange between the husband and the wife decreases, conflict increases, and overall
martial satisfaction decreases (Belsky & Pensky, 1988; Belsky, Spanier, & Rovine, 1983).
Marital socio-emotional patterns shift after the transition to parenthood such as spending time
together in leisure activities as well as sexual activity (Belsky, Lang, & Rovine, 1985; Belsky,
Spanier, & Rovine, 1983; Cowan, Cowan, Coie, & Coie, 1978). In MacAdam, Huuva, &
Berterö’s study (2011) all fathers cited time and energy as key factors in the limitation of sexual
activity. Dew’s study (2009) revealed that having minor children at home emerged as the
strongest negative predictor of spousal time. In contrast, husbands and wives who reported
greater marital adjustment were observed to have more sensitive, enjoyable, and harmonious
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marital interactions (Frosch, Mangelsdorf, & McHale, 1998). This finding was consistent with
the work of Hooley and Hahlweg (1989) and Easterbrooks and Emde (1988).
Paternity Leave and Fatherhood
According to the results of Levy-Shiff (1994), “the most consistent and powerful
predicting variable for both spouses was found to be paternal involvement with the baby: a
higher level of paternal involvement, especially in care giving, was associated with more limited
decline in marital satisfaction” (p. 598). In Feldman, Sussman, and Zigler’s study (2004), the
data was consistent with theoretical models suggesting that the development of fathering has
more connection to the marital and family relationships than is mothering. According to studies,
a higher level of paternal involvement may also increase the couple’s consensus and mutual
agreement about family functioning and allocation of responsibilities (Goldberg et al, 1985;
Leventhal-Belfer, Cowan & Cowan, 1992). Fathers who took longer paternity leaves were
associated with more marital support and higher family value (Feldman, Sussman, & Zigler,
2004). Emotionally, paternal involvement may increase the father’s empathy and understanding
of the mother’s difficulties in coping with the baby. Research has also indicated that wives are
happier when they share childcare and housework with their husbands (Amato, Johnson, Booth,
& Rogers, 2003; Wilkie, Ferree, & Ratcliff, 1998). Results from Shapiro, Gottman, and
Carrére’s study (2000) indicate that the contribution of the husband to the marital relationship is
particularly significant to wives during periods of stressful transitions. Additionally, Feldman
(2000) found that marital convergence, or the degree of agreement between the mother’s and
father’s marital satisfaction, was related to father-child interaction.
The overall attitude toward men who take paternity leave is looked down upon by some
employers and other employees in the workplace, compared to countries where paternity leave is
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established. The current atmosphere leaves some men with uncertainty in their future prospects
for promotion and even their job security. According to Romero-Balsas, Muntanyola-Saura, and
Rogero-García’s study (2013) fathers who take the least amount of time off work after childbirth
feel indispensable at their jobs, have unstable positions creating uncertainty, and/or are in non-
care-sensitive workplaces. The results from Rehel’s study (2014) found that whether or not men
decided to take leave was either enabled or restricted by policy. In contrast, Fleischmann and
Sieverding’s study (2015) found that regardless of parental leave length, participants’ respected
applicants equally, found them similarly competent, and predicted the same hiring probability.
The study conducted by Feldman (2000) found clear differences between the amount of
time mothers and father spent with the child, both during the week and on the weekend. Mothers
spent nearly 2.5 times as many hours with the infant as fathers during an average workday.
Mattheson and Summerfield (2001) found that in households with children, men reported
spending around three quarters of an hour daily playing with and caring for their children, just
under half the amount reported by women. Mothers were also found to perform a wider range of
childcare activities than fathers (Feldman, 2000). Research has shown that men’s involvement in
childcare is somewhat selective (Jump & Haas, 1987), with the tendency to participate more in
“fun” aspects of child care (Coltrane, 1995) as well as highly visible, or public, fathering
activities (Shows & Gerstel, 2009). Furthermore, Pleck’s study (1985) demonstrated that
mother’s employment outside of the home did not meaningfully increase the father’s level of
involvement. Assuming a disproportionate amount of work may cause maternal resentment and
affect the mother’s perception of the marriage.
Joint Parental Leave
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The results of Henwood and Procter (2003) indicated that fathers wanted to be present at
home, be involved in their children’s lives, and participate in domestic life alongside their
partners. The participant’s believed their fathers, who were not actively involved in their lives as
children, had lost out on family life and they did not want to repeat that pattern. Rehel (2014)
found that men who did take leave found it to be an eye-opening experience and said without it,
they believed they would have been oblivious to what their wives were going through.
Interestingly, men who did not take leave or only took a short leave differed dramatically in their
perceptions of parenting compared to those who took leaves longer than three weeks.
According to Eggebeen and Knoester (2001), “The more these men were engaged in
activities with their children, the more satisfied they were with their lives, the more socializing
they did, the more connected they were with their families, and the less involved they were with
their work” (p. 389) The overarching conclusion was that fatherhood can profoundly shape the
lives of men.
Prior research has indicated that spousal time plays a key role in enabling
communication, nurturing emotional intimacy, and sharing valued activities between spouses.
Research has repeatedly demonstrated the high correlations between co-parenting and
relationship satisfaction after birth (Feinberg, 2003; Margolin et al., 2001). Feldman’s research
(2000) comes to the same conclusion with measures of parental convergence on childrearing
attitudes and practices being associated with marital harmony. In MacAdam, Huuva, and
Berterö’s study (2011) all fathers stressed the importance of nourishing the marital relationship,
including allowing the partner time away from home. Fathers expressed a connection between
communication and sexuality, with most of them considering communication to lay the
foundation for a healthy relationship. This was consistent with Ahlborg’s findings in 2004,
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concluding that intimacy in a relationship is dependent on the quality of communication. Many
fathers also discussed their infant bringing a new strength and understanding to their relationship
(MacAdam, Huuva, & Berterö, 2011).
When a father takes his paternity leave at the same time the mother is taking her
maternity leave, this creates a rare opportunity for bonding and support. Only the study
conducted by Rehel (2014) explored this phenomenon and the benefits that arose from having
fathers present for an extended period of time.
“While paternal skill-building is important, it is this fuller understanding of parenting that
enables fathers to actively engage in parenting in a self-directed way, rather than relying
on their partner’s guidance. By sharing more than just tasks, partners become more equal
co-parents than when one partner manages and delegates child care and related domestic
labor” (Rehel, 2014, p. 122).
Many fathers who took an extended leave did indeed see themselves as co-parents,
capable of all aspects of child care, rather than just helpers. The fathers also gained an
appreciation of child care as a whole. One father stated, “Really made me realize to what extent
taking care of a child is more than a full time job” (Rehel, 2014, p. 122). Another man said that
staying at home with a baby was harder than his job, in that he has the opportunity to take breaks
and a lunch hour and have the ability to walk away from his work, which is something that is not
possible while caring for an infant.
Joint parental leave and marital satisfaction have yet to be studied together and for this
reason, the field of marriage and family therapy needs to explore whether there is any relation
between the two.
Hypotheses
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The purpose of this study is to see whether joint parental leave of at least three weeks at
the birth of a child effects marital satisfaction. The length of three weeks leave was chosen to
correlate with Rehel’s study (2014) on joint parental leave. The re-test period of six months
postpartum was determined due to the testing treat of internal validity.
H1. Joint parental leave at the birth of a child increases marital satisfaction.
H2. The longer the length of joint parental leave at the birth of a child will correlate with
higher marital satisfaction.
This proposal hypothesizes that fathers who take advantage of paternal leave, especially
an extended leave of at least three weeks at the same time as their partner, will have less of a
decrease in marital satisfaction with the same being true of their partners’ marital satisfaction.
Furthermore, it predicts there to be an increase in communication, effective co-parenting,
empathy towards the other partner’s experience as a parent and the responsibilities that this
entails, as well as an increase in intimacy.
Methods
This study will use a quantitative survey design, specifically a non-equivalent control
group design. The design is quantitative in that it tests or verifies theories or explanations. The
present case looks at whether the factor of joint parental leave of three weeks or more is
correlated with the outcome of a lessened decline in marital satisfaction. The non-equivalent
control group design is appropriate for this study in that each group is experiencing a different
situation, making them non-equivalent. This study will gathering participants from a local
company interested in the effects of their proposed parental leave policy.
In this study, the treatment is whether or not the new parental leave policy is being used.
A control group is also included in this design, being those that did not meet the inclusion criteria
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of joint parental leave for at least three weeks. The independent variable for the hypothesis is
joint parental leave of at least three weeks, with the dependent variable being marital satisfaction
measured by the dyadic adjustment scale. The hypothesis is that joint parental leave of at least
three weeks will buffer against the decline in marital satisfaction at the birth of a child measured
by the dyadic adjustment scale.
The independent variable for the second hypothesis is the length of joint parental leave,
with the dependent variable of marital satisfaction measured by the dyadic adjustment scale. The
hypothesis being that a longer parental leave is associated with less of a decrease in marital
satisfaction.
Participants
The participant size of 64 was calculated using Choen’s sample size table (1992) using a
p-value of 0.05, and desiring a medium effect size. In anticipation of mortality during the study,
as well as taking into account those who will not be willing to participate, the sample size was
respectively doubled. Thus, the total number of participants for this study came to 128, with 64
representing the treatment group and 64 in the control group. The participants will be selected
by the local company’s cooperation in providing a table of employees and employee spouses
names that are expecting, retrieved from a response to a companywide email. The researchers
will select participants using the table by use of a random number generator. The treatment
group will be couples taking at least three weeks joint parental leave at the birth of their first
child. The control group is the couples taking either a shorter joint parental leave than three
weeks or where only one partner takes parental leave. The two groups demographic information
will be analyzed to make sure the groups are similar in age, socio-economic status, and race. The
participants or their spouses will be working at a company that is implementing a new parental
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leave policy. To be eligible for the study the couple must be expecting their first child. Any
couple’s who have a miscarriage or a stillbirth will be excluded from the study.
Measures
Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS).
The dyadic adjustment scale is perhaps the most widely used measure of relationship
quality in the social and behavioral sciences literature according to Graham, Liu, and Jeziorski
(2006). The DAS is a self-reporting scale that was created by Spanier in 1976. In 1988 it had
been used in more than 1,000 studies in the past decade alone (Spanier, 1988). The scale is taken
by each partner and then the ratings compared, looking for discrepancies to gain insight into
where problems are stemming from in the relationship. This scale will be administered twice
throughout the study, once two weeks prior to the child’s due date and again six months
postpartum. The DAS assess relationship adjustment and spouses’ agreement on specific issues
such as finances, religion, and sexual relations. Additionally, it explores overall perceptions of
the marital relationship, including consideration of separation or divorce (Frosch, Mangelsdorf,
& McHale, 1998).
Twenty-nine out of the thirty-two questions of the measure prompts for answers in a
Likert style or continuous fashion. Two questions require a categorical “Yes” or “No” answer.
The remaining question has six different selections to pick from depending on which response
the partner can relate to the most. An example from the scale is, “Please fill in the circle which
best describes the degree of happiness, all things considered, of your relationship.” There is then
a line with “extremely unhappy, fairly unhappy, a little unhappy, happy, very happy, extremely
happy, and perfect” from which to select.
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A reliability generalization meta-analysis was conducted to examine the internal
consistency of the DAS. The DAS was found to produce total and dyadic cohesion, consensus,
and satisfaction scores of acceptable internal consistency. Reliability estimates of these scores
did not differ by the sexual orientation, gender, marital status, or ethnicity of the sample
(Graham, Liu, Jeziorski, 2006). The validity of the DAS was established by determining the
scale’s ability to discriminate between married and divorced samples (Spanier, 1988).
Procedure
The participants will be selected with the local company’s cooperation in providing a
table of employees and employee spouses names that are expecting, retrieved from a response to
a companywide email. The participants will be selected using the table and a random number
generator. The table will be coded with random number identification and then the table will be
sorted numerically to insure participants’ information is kept confidential and unknown to those
handling the data. Data will be collected from participants both before the new parental leave
policy is in place (control group) and after the new policy is in place (treatment group). The
initial dyadic adjustment scale test will be presented to the participants two weeks prior to the
due date of the child, with the re-test being presented six months postpartum. Each scale will be
mailed to the employee’s home address on file at each time period. They will be mailed in two
separate envelopes with one copy of the scale enclosed, a postage paid return envelope in each,
along with the instructions to complete the scale independently of one’s partner. This will be
done in hopes that the couple’s responses are kept separate and do not influence one another.
The scales will be coded and scored according to the specifications written in the procedures
manual.
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To avoid the threat of maturation all couples will be at least eighteen or older. In
accounting for the treat of mortality the population size will be doubled. In order to lessen the
chances of a testing treat, the time passed between taking the first test and the second will be six
and a half months. An instrumentation threat will not be a concern as the same instrument will
be used for both time points.
A possible threat is history due to the time that will pass during the control group’s
portion of the study to the treatment group’s portion of the study. An additional threat includes
diffusion of treatment in that participants or their spouses were gathered from a single company.
The results will be difficult to generalize due to interaction of selection and treatment threat,
interaction of setting and treatment, and interaction of history and treatment.
Ethical Assurances
This research will benefit lawmakers worldwide, businesses’ policy makers, and parents
in the decision making process of leave taking at the birth of a child, as well as further the
research in marriage and family therapy. The local company volunteered to participate in the
study; therefore, there are no conflicts of interests. While conducting research the site will be
respected and disrupted as little as possible. Permission will be obtained from the local company
to gain access to the participants and participant information. An application will be submitted
to the institutional review or human subjects review board before conducting any research.
Participants will participate in the study at their own free will and will be informed that they can
withdraw from the study at any point. Informed consent will be collected before any research is
conducted. Researchers will work to develop trust with the participants and obtain information
with sensitivity. Participants will be briefed as to the purpose and any sponsors of the research
both before the study and after the study is completed. Participants’ information will be coded to
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ensure confidentiality, double locked in a filing cabinet, and destroyed after the appropriate time
elapses. Names will be changed if quotations are chosen to be used in a published version.
Participants’ answers will be double checked for accuracy by having them review all of their
answers before submission. Authenticity will be established by citing any work that was not
done by the researchers and by correctly citing any individuals who collaborated on the research.
All data will be included, not only data that supports the hypotheses.
Analytic Strategy
A repeated measures ANOVA with time as a within subjects factor and condition as a
between subjects factor is an appropriate test in this instance via confirmation by Dr.
Christenson. This test will be used for the first hypothesis of whether joint parental leave for a
minimum of three weeks will act as a buffer against a decline in marital satisfaction in first time
parents. In this hypothesis, the independent variable is joint parental leave for at least three
weeks, with the dependent variable being marital satisfaction.
A Pearson’s product moment correlation will be used to test the second hypothesis that
the longer the length of parental leave taking behavior will correlate with higher marital
satisfaction. This test is appropriate in that we are trying to relate two continuous variables; the
independent variable of leave taking length and the dependent variable of marital satisfaction.
18. 18
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during childbirth. Midwifery, 15(2), 101-108.
Twenge, J. M., Campbell, W. K., & Foster, C. A. (2003). Parenthood and marital satisfaction: A
meta-analytic review. Journal of Marriage & Family, 65(3), 574-583.
22. 22
Dyadic Adjustment Scale
Most persons have disagreements in their relationships. Please indicate below the
approximate extent of agreement or disagreement between you and your partner for each item
on the following list.
Always
Agree
Almost
Always
Agree
Occa-
sionally
Disagree
Fre-
quently
Disagree
Almost
Always
Disagree
Always
Disagree
1. Handling family finances O O O O O O
2. Matters of recreation O O O O O O
3. Religious matters O O O O O O
4. Demonstrations of affection O O O O O O
5. Friends O O O O O O
6. Sex relations O O O O O O
7. Conventionality (correct or proper behavior) O O O O O O
8. Philosophy of life O O O O O O
9. Ways of dealing with parents or in-laws O O O O O O
10. Aims, goals, and things believed important O O O O O O
11. Amount of time spent together O O O O O O
12. Making major decisions O O O O O O
13. Household tasks O O O O O O
14. Leisure time interests and activities O O O O O O
15. Career decisions O O O O O O
All Most of
More
often Occa-
the time the time than not sionally Rarely Never
16. How often do you discuss or have
you considered divorce, separation, O O O O O O
or terminating your relationship?
17. How often do you or your mate
leave the house after a fight? O O O O O O
18. In general, how often do you think
that things between you and your O O O O O O
partner are going well?
19. Do you confide in your mate? O O O O O O
20. Do you ever regret that you
married? (or lived together) O O O O O O
21. How often do you and your
partner quarrel? O O O O O O
22. How often do you and your mate
“get on each other’s nerves?” O O O O O O
23. 23
Almost Occa-
Every Day Every Day sionally Rarely Never
23. Do you kiss your mate? O O O O O
All of
them
Most of
them
Some of
them
Very few
of them
None of
them
24. Do you and your mate engage in
outside interests together? O O O O O
How often would you say the following events occur between you and your mate?
Never
Less than
once a
month
Once or
twice a
month
Once or
twice a
week
Once a
day
More
often
25. Have a stimulating exchange of ideas O O O O O O
26. Laugh together O O O O O O
27. Calmly discuss something O O O O O O
28. Work together on a project O O O O O O
These are some things about which couples sometimes agree and sometime disagree. Indicate if either
item below caused differences of opinions or were problems in your relationship during the past few
weeks. (Check yes or no)
Yes No
29. O O Being too tired for sex.
30. O O Not showing love.
31. The circles on the following line represent different degrees of happiness in your relationship. The
middle point, “happy,” represents the degree of happiness of most relationships. Please fill in the circle
which best describes the degree of happiness, all things considered, of your relationship.
O O O O O O O
Extremely
Unhappy
Fairly
Unhappy
A Little
Unhappy
Happy Very
Happy
Extremely
Happy
Perfect
32. Which of the following statements best describes how you feel about the future of your relationship?
O I want desperately for my relationship to succeed, and would go to almost any length to see that it
does.
O I want very much for my relationship to succeed, and will do all I can to see that it does.
O I want very much for my relationship to succeed, and will do my fair share to see that it does.
O It would be nice if my relationship succeeded, but I can’t do much more than I am doing now to help
it succeed.
O It would be nice if it succeeded, but I refuse to do any more than I am doing now to keepthe
relationship going.
O My relationship can never succeed, and there is no more that I can do to keep the relationship going.
