노년기 부부관계와 결혼만족도에 관한 탐색적 연구

Exploratory study on marital relationship and marital satisfaction in later life

This study explores the marital relationships among the elderly, focusing on marital satisfaction. Secondary data analysis is done by using the 292 elderly aged 60 years and over from the national survey on family life by Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs in 1994. The major findings are as follows: 1. Elderly women are mainly taking care of economic managements in the family. But the elderly tend to make the major decisions with their spouses, indicating more equal or modern marital relationships. 2. Elderly couples have the intimate relationships by frequent conversations, meanwhile the activities outside family with their spouses (such as going to movies, walking around, eating out) are rare occasions. 3. In general, the elderly are satisfied with their marriage. Health, decision making fairness, conversation with their spouses, sex role attitudes, marital attitudes are found as significant predictors of marital satisfaction. Those who are in good health, are involved in decision-making fairly, have frequent conversations with their spouses, have traditional sex role attitudes, and have positive attitudes on their marriage, are more likely to satisfy with their marriage.