The Korean Journal of Community Living Science (한국지역사회생활과학회지)

The Korean Society of Community Living Science (한국지역사회생활과학회)
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Effects of the Division of Housework, Perceived Marital Fairness, and Communication on Marital Satisfaction in Elderly Households: The Moderating Effect of Communication

부부단독가구노인의 가사분담, 평등감, 의사소통이 부부관계만족도에 미치는 영향: 의사소통의 조절효과를 중심으로

  • Received : 2015.03.20
  • Accepted : 2015.05.26
  • Published : 2015.05.31
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Abstract

This study explores the relationships between the division of housework, perceived marital fairness, communication, and marital satisfaction in elderly households. Although the marital relationship is one of the most important factors affecting the quality of life, few studies have focused on marital quality, particularly in the context of older adults. Data were obtained from the 2nd National Korean Family Survey in 2010. The results based on a total of 410 elderly households with couples aged 60 and over indicate significant differences in housework participation between men and women. Women were responsible for most of the housework. According to the regression analysis, the division of housework, perceived marital fairness, and communication independently predicted marital satisfaction, but there were no significant relationships between sociodemographic factors and marital satisfaction. There were significant interactions between the division of housework, perceived marital fairness, and marital satisfaction through communication as a moderator of effects of the division of housework and perceived marital fairness on marital satisfaction. The higher the satisfaction with communication, the stronger the relationship between marital satisfaction and satisfaction with the division of housework was. On the other hand, the lower the satisfaction with communication, the greater the effect of perceived marital fairness on marital satisfaction was. These results suggest that the way in which elderly couples perceive their marital relationships and the level of their satisfaction in interacting with each other play important roles in enhancing their marital quality.

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