Date of Award
Fall 2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
College
College of Education
Department
Department of Education
Primary Advisor
Dr. Sarah J. Yates
Second Advisor
Dr. Thomas J. Gollery
Third Advisor
Dr. Lisa A. Coscia
Abstract
This quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional study evaluated factors associated with and predictive of marital health. Marital health was identified as a more holistic evaluator of marital connection and commitment, moving beyond individual satisfaction. The original sample was taken from the archived Marriage Health in America survey data. The sample included 3,808 United States adults. Participants completed a marital satisfaction index and a marital health measure, while simultaneously ranking 32 identified factors of marital health. The results found that love for each other was the strongest predictor of marital health, followed by communication through listening, respect, trust, and sexual intimacy. These findings underscore the importance of each factor in fostering healthy marriages.
Recommended Citation
Smalley, Erin C., "BEYOND SATISFACTION: PREDICTORS AND CORRELATES OF MARITAL HEALTH" (2026). Doctor of Education (Ed.D). 200.
https://firescholars.seu.edu/coe/200