The Study of Homogamy among Couples in Tehran and Its Impact on Marital Satisfaction

The main objective of this study is to assess the homogamy among couples in Tehran (residents in districts 3 and 20) and its impact on marital satisfaction. The theoretical framework is based on homogamy theory and the propositions have been taken from it. The research method is survey and a researcher-made questionnaire is used. The necessary data is gathered by a sample size of 400 subjects by using Cochran formula and a multi-level cluster sampling method. The results show that 32.8% of respondents have age consistency, 82.8% have ethnicity consistency, 41.3% have the same field of study, 36.3% have the same level of income as their spouse and 52.8% of respondent's education levels are the same as their spouse's education level. If we consider the educational levels closely matched, then 80.8% of the couples are matched in education level. The results indicate that the there is a significant relationship between age, education, occupation and income level and marital but the relationship between ethnic homogeneity and consistency field of study and marital satisfaction could not be verified. Multivariable regression results also show that homogamy variables could explain the changes in marital satisfaction by 21.7%. Based on the results observed, variables such as the same age, educational consistency and the same income level are more effective on marital satisfaction than other variables.