Motivation for Conjugality in Couples Life Cycle and Its Relation to Happiness and Satisfaction

Abstract

The present research intended to study the motivation in couples along the life cycle and its relation to happiness and satisfaction. 185 heterosexual couples, separated into seven groups, participated in this study. Motivation was assessed using MS Motivation Scale (Rempel, Holmes, & Zanna, 1985; Portuguese version by Abreu-Afonso & Leal, 2009), a Unique Index Scale for Assessment of Marital Global Satisfaction and a Unique Index Scale for Assessment of Happiness. We concluded that, although during marriage cycle men and women’s motivation does not suffer large fluctuations, there is a decrease in women’s intrinsic motivations both personal and perceived. However, small differences can be reported when comparing both genders within each group. For marital satisfaction, perceived motivation is as important as personal motivation, but only in what concerns intrinsic motives. In a general overview, happiness seems to be a broader concept since the results of this variable are less complex than those concerning satisfaction.