Studying the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the marriage expectation scale (MES)

The aim of this research was to investigate the factor structure, convergent validity, and reliability of the Marriage Expectation Scale (MES). The statistic population of this research was the single B.A. college students at Isfahan University. The sample was 137 students (including 51 males, 86 females) who were selected from available population by stratified sampling. Marriage Expectation Scale (MES) and marital attitude Scale (MAS) were the instruments of this research. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistic, factor analysis, correlation, and multivariate analysis of variance. Internal consistency of this scale by using Cronbach’s Alpha was 0.88 and the 3-week test-retest coefficient was 0.91. In addition the correlation of this scale with the Marital Attitude Scale was 0.43(p<0.01).The results of the factor analysis revealed that the MES is a multidimensional instrument with three distinct and related factors including realistic, idealistic, and pessimistic expectations. In addition, the comparison between male's and female’s expectations indicated that females have more pessimistic expectations than males. In general, the Marital Expectation Scale is a reliable and suitable instrument for assessing the marital expectations.