Trend Analysis of Changes in Marital Satisfaction and Related Dimensions Across Family Life Cycle

While U-shaped relationship bet-ween marital satisfaction and family life cycle has been strongly supported, our review of the related literature reveals some significant errors in the definition of marital satisfaction and the statistical data analysis in this regard. The present study addresses the main shortcomings and critically reviews the relevant literature. The primary goal is to examine the trend of changes in marital satisfaction and related dimensions across family life cycle (seven stages).209 married individuals were cones-cutively sampled through approaching them in public gathering places. 30 married individuals (except for empty nest, (n=29) were allocated to each life cycle stage. Demographics form and ENRICH scale for marital satisfaction were then completed by the partic-ipants. The trend analysis of each dimension demonstrates a curvilinear relationship between some dimensions (Marital Satisfaction, Sexual Relation-ship, Family and Friends, Religious Orientation) and the life cycle.Findings are discussed considering cli-nical and research implications.