Cross-sex versus same-sex experience and relationship satisfaction: addressing diverse social networks among Orthodox Jews

ABSTRACT

Romantic experiences in adolescence often predict relationship stability and marital status in adulthood. Religious practice and belief also have been linked to increased marital satisfaction and overall wellbeing. However, certain religions limit cross-sex interaction in areas of education, social and romantic relationships. Although gender segregation has been studied in educational and occupational contexts, no previous research has addressed religious gender segregation and its impact on relationship development, marital satisfaction, and overall wellbeing. The present study addressed the generalisability of data on cross-sex experience derived from normative populations to a religious subculture, outlining predictors for marital satisfaction and wellbeing in an Orthodox Jewish sample. Results showed some similarities between the general population and the Orthodox Jews represented by the study sample. However, some factors illustrated divergent paths and outcomes for this sample. This study demonstrates the influence of societal norms and the importance of addressing cultural context when evaluating marital satisfaction.

KEYWORDS:

• Marital satisfaction
• religion
• cross-sex experience
• social networks
• mental health

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by GHES NIH Research Training Grant [number R25 TW009338] funded by the Fogarty International Center, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the NIH Office of the Director Office of Research on Women’s Health and the NIH Office of the Director Office of AIDS Research; and the Dr. Edward and Judy Steinberg Center for Spirituality and Well-being, Psychology Department, Touro College.