Importance and Attainment of Values Among Married and Divorced Couples

Abstract

This paper advocates, in line with cognitive approaches in studies of marital adjustment, that the positive or negative development of a marital relationship is dependent on spouses' conceptions and interpretations of the interactions between self and partner in the relationship. Fifty-six married or divorced males and females rated the importance and attainment of 30 values in relation to their (ex-)mar-riage. Factor analysis revealed five value dimensions, viz, coordination, personal satisfaction, altruistic values, emotional values and communication. For all dimensions except emotional values (e.g., sex and passion), divorcees experienced less value attainment than married persons did. Importance ratings tended to be on the same level for married persons and divorcees. Apparently, married and divorced persons want approximately the same things from marriage, but divorced persons are less successful in attaining these things.

Key Words:

• Attainment
• divorce
• importance
• marital adjustment
• social cognition
• values