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Marital Quality and Well-Being: The Role of Gender, Marital Duration, Social Support and Cultural Context

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A Positive Psychology Perspective on Quality of Life

Part of the book series: Social Indicators Research Series ((SINS,volume 51))

Abstract

Several studies have confirmed the relationship between marital quality and well-being. In this chapter we review studies that examine the relationship between marital satisfaction and well-being, particularly focusing on the moderating role of gender, marital duration and social support, and the mediating role of spousal support. As the impact of gender and social support depends on the cultural context, we briefly present findings from a preliminary study conducted with 95 married couples from Greek urban and rural areas. The findings confirmed the negative relationship between marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Partner’s perceived marital satisfaction and spousal support, gender and social support from family and friends moderated the relationship between marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms. The area of residence moderated the relationship between social support from others and depressive symptoms. The results regarding the moderating role of gender and social support are inconsistent with the international literature and highlight the importance of taking into consideration the interpersonal and social context of well-being.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Hospital for Sick Children, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Dalnair str., G3 8SJ, Glasgow, UK

    Eleni Pateraki

  2. Department of Psychology, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Pagona Roussi

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  1. Eleni Pateraki
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  2. Pagona Roussi
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Correspondence to Eleni Pateraki .

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  1. School of Psychology, Aristotle Univ. of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 541 24, Greece

    Anastasia Efklides

  2. , School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki,, 541 24, Greece

    Despina Moraitou

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Pateraki, E., Roussi, P. (2012). Marital Quality and Well-Being: The Role of Gender, Marital Duration, Social Support and Cultural Context. In: Efklides, A., Moraitou, D. (eds) A Positive Psychology Perspective on Quality of Life. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 51. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4963-4_8

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