Psychological Development and Education ›› 2011, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (2): 195-201.

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The Features of Spouse Support and Its Relationship with MaritalAttachment and Marital Satisfaction among Older Adults

WANG Da-hua, ZHANG Ming-yan   

  1. Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875
  • Online:2011-03-15 Published:2011-03-15

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Abstract: This study mainly explored spouse support of the elderly from twofold dimensions,namely actual versus ideal support,and emotional versus practical support.And this study also aimed at examining the relationship between spouse support,marital attachment and marital satisfaction with a SEM analysis.There were 289 community-dwelling old adults,with age ranging from 60 to 88 years old,who participated in this investigation.Significant Others Scale,Older Adults' Marital Attachment,and the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test were used to measure spouse support,marital attachment and marital satisfaction.The results showed that:(1) Gender,age and educational level have significant effects on spouse support perceived by older adults;(2) The older adults'spouse support,marital attachment and marital satisfaction were correlated with each other.Furthermore,spouse support could predict marital satisfaction through the mediation of marital attachment.

Key words: spouse support, marital attachment, marital satisfaction, older adult, social support

CLC Number: 

  • B844.3
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