Long-Term Marriages

Abstract

Satisfaction with the spousal role is related to a sense of well-being and sense of meaning in life among older men and women. Longitudinal studies have revealed that marital quality typically declines after the newlywed years and into middle adulthood and then either stabilizes or continues to decline after midlife. Although many older couples described their marriages as characterized by mutual affection, supportiveness, understanding, and companionship, long-term marriage can also be characterized by high levels of stress following changes related to decline in health and to other transition points such as retirement. Compared with middle-aged couples, older couples derive more enjoyment from talking about children or grandchildren, recent activities together, and vacations. Moreover, older couples show less potential for conflicts and greater potential for pleasure than middle-aged couples in several areas of marital life.