Critical Evaluation and Conceptual Organization of Marital Functioning Measures

Abstract

The sheer quantity and diversity of measures of marital functioning reflect the complexity of marital relationships. This paper presents a conceptual/theoretical framework for organizing these measures according to the five core domains of marital functioning (marital quality, marital adjustment, marital satisfaction, sexual satisfaction and intimacy) and those factors that influence these domains (relational, individual and external). The paper defines each of these core domains and influencing factors and discusses their complex interrelationship. For each domain and influencing factor, examples of popular measures that tap the construct or variable are highlighted and critically evaluated. The researcher, clinician, and student should find the framework presented in the paper helpful in terms of making sense of and selecting from the current proliferation of measures.