Marital Satisfaction and Parental Stress

Author

Jill Hess, Utah State University

Date of Award:

5-2008

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Human Development and Family Studies

Department name when degree awarded

Family, Consumer, and Human Development

Committee Chair(s)

Ann M. Berghout Austin

Committee

Ann M. Berghout Austin

Committee

Thorana S. Nelson

Committee

Deborah Ascione

Abstract

This study examined the correlations between marital satisfaction (MS) and parental stress (PS). The Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS) was used to measure marital satisfaction. Parental stress was measured at the same time through the use of the Parent Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). Twenty-seven traditionally married couples were recruited through the CCAMPIS Grant at Utah State University. Minimum criteria were that at least one of the couple needed to be eligible for Pell grants, registered full time at Utah State University, and have at least one child. This study found that MS and PS correlate in many ways, most significantly in the areas of parental distress and parent child interactions. We found that the variance in mothers’ MS was correlated with fathers’ MS and fathers’ interaction with the target child. Fathers’ MS was correlated with mothers’ MS.

Checksum

d8cb193c2284b31ba6c1f5a1c92def9d

Recommended Citation

Hess, Jill, "Marital Satisfaction and Parental Stress" (2008). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 126.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/126