A comparison of the marital satisfaction of clergy and lay couples

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to compare the marital satisfaction of clergy and lay couples. A review of the literature yielded little information concerning the marital satisfaction of clergy couples. There have been many studies conducted on marital satisfaction with various other samples, however. Thus, the present research was an attempt to offer additional illumination on the marital satisfaction of a select subgroup of the population. A total of 30 clergy couples and 30 lay couples participated in the study. Ten clergy and 10 lay couples came from denominations of a liberal, moderate or conservative theological persuasion respectively. Each couple completed a package of instruments which included the Marital Satisfaction Scale (MSS), the Marriage Problem Checklist (MPC), and the Personal Data Inventory (PDI). Participation was voluntary. Analysis of the results was conducted by means of analysis of variance, descriptive statistics and Chi-Square. Results indicated no significant differences in degree of marital satisfaction between clergy and lay couples. Results also indicated little differences between clergy and lay couples matched for theological persuasion in the number of claimed marriage problems. Recommendations for further areas of study are suggested. A major area for investigation is the relationship between a particular theological persuasion, sex and marital satisfaction.