A comparison of the satisfaction of married couples and unmarried cohabiting couples.

Abstract

Previous research projects have studied the satisfaction of married couples today, but none has dealt with the satisfaction of cohabiting couples compared to married couples. The purpose of this study was to try to determine who are more satisfied with their relationship, unmarried cohabiting couples or married couples. The satisfaction levels of relationships of one hundred and nine volunteers were measured by a satisfaction questionnaire which was developed by the researcher. Of this total, one hundred were selected for the final analysis of data. The results of a chi-square analysis demonstrated that three of the twenty-eight statistically measurable data were significant at the .05 level. Specifically, the data showed that 60 percent of the married couples occasionally got on each others nerves around the house while 52 percent of the living-together couples indicated this was rarely a problem. The data also showed that 48 percent of the married couples frequently agreed on demonstration of affection toward each other, while for living-together couples it was 40 percent; however, 30 percent of the living-together couples always agreed on this while only 20 percent of the married couples did. The data concerning whether sexual intercourse between partners was an expression of love and affection showed 82 percent of the living-together couples stated it always was while only 51 percent of the married couples did. Also 88 percent of the living-together females replied it always was, while only 56 percent of the married females did. Differences that were evident that were treated nonstatistically were: 1) Married females experienced more difficulties in the areas of money matters, selfishness and lack of cooperation by the mate than did living-together females, 2) Married couples had a more negative attitude generally than did living-gether couples; however similarities in attitude were more characteristic than differences, and 3) Living-together couples entertained friends in their home more often than did married couples while married females spent more time taking walks or going driving. Thus, the results of this study show that the evidence leans in favor of a living-together relationship for couples as opposed to marriage as far as one's personal satisfaction is concerned.