Shared Activities and Marital Satisfaction: Causal Direction and Self-Expansion versus Boredom

Abstract

Fifty-three married couples were randomly assigned to engage in activities for 1.5 hours each week for 10 weeks that were self-defined as (a) exciting or (b) pleasant, or couples were in a (c) no-special-activity control group. Pretest and post-test data were obtained on a standard marital satisfaction measure (adjusted for scores on a social desirability index). A planned linear contrast comparing the two activities groups to the control group was not significant and had a small effect size; thus the theory that any kind of activity enhances marital satisfaction was not supported as an explanation for the well-established association of time together and satisfaction. However, the other planned orthogonal contrast found significantly higher satisfaction for the exciting than the pleasant group, a difference that had a moderate effect size. This finding is consistent with views emphasizing habituation as an obstacle to relationship maintenance - for example, Aron & Aron's (1986) prediction from their self-expansion model that sharing stimulating activities will enhance marital satisfaction.

Self-Expansion through Fictional Characters

“…In turn, the experience of self-expansion in an established relationship motivates continued maintenance and development of the relationship (Lewandowski & Aron, 2004;Lewandowski, Aron, Bassis, & Kunak, 2006). Evidence suggests that in addition to providing resources, the experience of self-expansion produces positive effect, which may translate into relationship satisfaction (Reissman, Aron, & Bergen, 1993). Further, on their self-expansion questionnaire (SEQ), Aron (2002, 2004) Self-Expansion through Characters 557…”

A comparison of interaction rules and interaction frequency in relationship to marital quality

“…In their review of the literature on marriage Reissman, Aron, and Bergen (1993) concluded that the time couples spent engaging in leisure activities, such as talking or sharing tasks, was related to their relational satisfaction. Similarly, Vangelisti and Banski (1993) found that couples who talked at the end of the workday had higher levels of satisfaction than those who did not spend nightly time interacting with one another.…”

Korean Pastors and Their Wives’ Marital Satisfaction and Its Predicting Factors

“…Reissman et al (1993) found that when compared to pleasant activities, the pursuit of exciting activities led to a greater increase in marital satisfaction. This finding implies that wives' shared activities with their pastorhusbands are not exciting enough to affect their marital satisfaction.…”