General health, economic status, and marriage duration as predictors of marital commitment during reproductive age among Iranian married women

One of the important factors involved in a successful marriage during reproductive age is marital commitment. The aim of this study was to find which factors predict marital commitment during reproductive age in Iranian married women.

This cross-sectional, population-based study was performed on married women. Adams and Jones' Dimensions of Commitment Inventory (DCI) were used to assess marital commitment. In addition, their current mental health was assessed using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The socioeconomic status of the participants was calculated based on household income, employment status, and education level. A total of 160 married women, who were between 15-49 years of age and were from six districts of Babol, were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Stepwise multiple regressions were used to determine the effect of independent variables on marital commitment.

The results of multiple regression showed that general health, the duration of marriage, and the economic status with standard beta coefficients of (-0.324), (-0.259), and (0.173) had the highest regression effect on marital commitment, respectively. These variables accounted for a total of 33% of the distribution of marital commitment.

These findings suggest that general health, economic status, and the duration of marriage are predicable variables for marital commitment. It is necessary to emphasize the benefit of improving general health and economic status in increasing the degree of marital commitment, especially among women with longer duration of marriage.