2015 Volume 29 Issue 2 Pages 128-141
This study examined the relationship between positive marital illusions and mental health in middle-aged couples.
Based on a preliminary study of middle-aged couples, Study 1 verified that positive illusions are part of the perceptions of the marital relationship. This study then created a scale to measure positive marital illusions. The main findings of this study were that: (a) positive marital illusions reflected both positive and negative features of the marital relationship, (b) positive marital illusions had an above-average effect on positive features of the marital relationship; this effect had 3 dimensions, i.e. warmth, a spontaneous and unconstrained relationship, and togetherness, and (c) positive marital illusions had a below-average effect on negative features of the marital relationship; this effect had 2 dimensions, i.e. psychological distance and distrust and criticism and disparagement of one's spouse.
Study 2 used pairwise correlation analysis to examine the correlation between positive marital illusions and mental health. Results revealed that an individual who rates his or her marital relationship as better than average has better mental well-being. Moreover, the ways in which positive marital illusions relate to mental health differ depending on how the marital relationship is appraised.
