Physical Disabilities Promote Marital Happiness
A New Study Pinpoints the Effects Disabilities Have on Couples
Jan 3, 2009
Published in Research on Aging, these findings change our understanding of how married couples react to, and cope with, the onset of a physical disability.
Brigham Young University professor Jeremy Yorgason and fellow researchers tracked 1,217 randomly selected married people from around the country for 12 years.
By the end of that time, about one-fourth of the participants -- ranging from 36 to 75 years old -- reported that either they or their spouse had acquired permanent physical disabilities that restricted activities such as dressing, bathing, eating, or completing tasks and chores around the house.
The research team then zeroed in on this group of disability-affected couples to learn how disability affects marriage. They surveyed and spoke with participants to compare their marital satisfaction before and after the physical disability occurred. What they learned was surprising.
Disability-Affected Couples
Research participants reported the following post-disability martial changes:
- Both men and women were happier in their marriage after they themselves became physically disabled. This was true regardless of age.
- Men whose spouse became physically disabled experienced greater happiness in the relationship.
- Women whose spouse became physically disabled reported no overall change in the relationship.
The findings demonstrate that couples come together when one of them experiences a life-changing disability. While their overall happiness may not increase with their physical limitations, their happiness in marriage does.
Changing Marital Dynamics
Researchers do not fully understand why disability boosts marital happiness, but one hint is that physical limitations shift marriage dynamics. Disability often causes more couple interaction within a marriage since one partner has to join the disabled spouse for normally solitary activities such as changing clothes.
When one partner assumes new or more intense care-giving responsibilities, he or she often experiences increased appreciation for the caregiver.
Gender Differences
Researchers did find gender differences in the participating couples, however.
When husbands became physically disabled, women did not perceive a difference in their relationship. This could be due to their traditional marital role as caregivers, understanding their new care-giving responsibilities to their husbands as just an extension of their prior responsibilities.
Men, however, experienced more marital happiness when they cared for their disabled wives. As they had a new opportunity to support and care for their wives' needs, their appreciation of their relationship ultimately grew. This male-specific finding suggests that men enjoy their marriages more when they can physically care for their wives.
Reference:
Brigham Young University. "Physical Disability Brings Marital Happiness." ScienceDaily. 3 January 2009. 3 January 2009.
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