Profiling Marital Satisfaction among Graduate Students: an Analysis of the Perceptions of Masters and Doctoral-Students

Abstract

This study investigated marital satisfaction among graduate students. Using the Marital Satisfaction Inventory-R (MSI-R), 65 graduate students were surveyed. The results revealed multiple common areas of marital concern based on degree program of the student. These findings offer implications for psychoeducational and responsive interventions for clinicians working with this population.

Completion of Educational Doctorates: How Universities Can Foster Persistence

“…These themes were the following: (a) relationships with family, faculty and peers; (b) determination, organization skills, and time management; (c) program flexibility and course relevance; (d) career advancement and financial reward; and (e) clear doctoral program expectations. These themes are consistent with previous research suggesting persistence and attrition in doctoral programs are associated with personal needs and institutional factors (Golde, 2006;Lovitts, 2001).…”

“…To date, researchers have identified factors on both the student level and the institutional level that contribute to students' choice to leave doctoral programs (Golde, 2006;Lovitts, 2001). Research supports the conclusion that persistence is the product of the interaction of multiple factors (Nettles & Millet, 2006;Wao, 2010).…”

“…stated, "Serious thinking about what works in doctoral education and what no longer works, is an urgent matter" (p. 5), for high attrition rates across disciplines in doctoral programs are high (Golde, 2006;Nettles & Millet, 2006). Attrition within education doctoral programs is very high, with estimated attrition ranging from 50% to 70% (Ivankova & Stick, 2007;Nettles & Millet, 2006).…”

Relationship Between Wellness and Age, Matriculation, and Relationship Status of Counselor Education Doctoral Students

“…One reoccurring theme in the research seemed to be the impact of doctoral students' significant relationships on their experiences. For example, couples in both asymmetrical marriages (one spouse enrolled in a doctoral program) and symmetrical marriages (both partners enrolled in a doctoral program) reported having difficulty adjusting to and coping with the all-consuming graduate lifestyle (Gold, 2006;Scheinkman, 1988). In contrast, Cymbal (2004) reported that doctoral students felt more satisfied in their marriages, had more time to spend with their spouses, and had increased affective communication while pursuing a doctoral degree.…”

‘I Would Really Like to Go Where You Go’: Rethinking Migration Decision‐Making Among Educated Tied Movers

“…Extant literature on graduate student relationships focuses on the graduate students' perspective. Specifically, previous research examines how graduate training affects marital dynamics (Feldman, 1973;McRoy & Fisher, 1982;Brannock et al, 2000;Gold, 2006;Price, 2006). In this paper, we take a different approach.…”