Marital Satisfaction and Parental Stress

by Hess, JIll

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. (69 pages)