Question 1

In an American study (Brim, 1999) involving over 2,000 midlife adults aged 40 to 59, approximately what percentage described their marriage as 'excellent' or 'very good'?

Accepted Answer

According to the question, the study found that over 2,000 midlife adults aged 40 to 59 were surveyed, and they were asked to describe their marriage. The question asks for the percentage of those who described their marriage as 'excellent' or 'very good'. The highest percentage given as an option is A) 75%.

Question 2

When is marriage satisfaction at its lowest?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that marriage satisfaction is at its lowest during the child raising years, particularly when the children are between the ages of 0-5. This is a time when couples experience significant changes to their lifestyle, priorities, and sleep patterns, which can lead to increased stress and reduced time for nurturing the relationship.

Question 3

You are a grandparent and your son and daughter-in-law are about to get divorced. What is likely to happen with regard to your involvement with your grandchildren?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are a grandparent and your son...

Question 4

When do most divorces occur?

Accepted Answer

Most divorces occur during the first 10 years of marriage, as this period often involves significant adjustments and challenges that can lead to marital breakdown.

Question 5

When is marriage satisfaction at its highest?

Accepted Answer

Marriage satisfaction is often highest during the first year, as couples are newly married and experiencing the honeymoon phase.

Question 6

For Americans who experience a divorce sometime in their 40s, 50s and 60s, the most common cited reason for men is ____.

Accepted Answer

According to a study by the AARP, for Americans who experience a divorce sometime in their 40s, 50s and 60s, the most common cited reason for men is 'fell out of love.'

Question 7

Decades of research have shown that marital satisfaction follows a ____.

Accepted Answer

Decades of research have indeed shown that marital satisfaction follows a U-shaped pattern. Marital satisfaction tends to be high at the beginning of a marriage, which is then followed by a dip in satisfaction during the middle years of marriage, and then it goes up again later in life.

Question 8

You have been married for 12 years and have 2 children aged 6 and 8 years. There are many stresses in your marriage and you are wondering if it will ever get any better because your satisfaction with your marriage is pretty low right now. Is it likely to get better?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that marital satisfaction tends to decrease during the early years of parenting due to the increased demands and stress of caring for young children. However, satisfaction tends to increase again as children reach emerging adulthood and become more independent, allowing parents to focus more on their relationship with each other. Therefore, it is likely that marriage satisfaction will improve when the children are a bit older.

Question 9

Your parents have been married for 32 years and have a very good marriage. They both have close friendships with former high school classmates and enjoy socialising with colleagues from work. They also both have older siblings with whom they enjoy close relationships. They have many friends with whom they do many things (e.g. camping, going to movies). When you ask your father who his best friend is, what does he say?

Accepted Answer

Based on the information given, it seems that your mother is likely your father's best friend. They have a very good marriage and enjoy socializing together with friends and family. They also have close relationships with their siblings, but it does not necessarily indicate that they are each other's best friend. While your father may have a close relationship with his business partner or long-time friend from high school, it is not explicitly stated that either of those individuals is his best friend.

Question 10

Your cousin Frank just got married and he and his wife would like to start a family within a few years. Based upon the research, which of the following time periods is most likely to be the most stressful for his marriage?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the time period of child rearing can be the most stressful for a marriage. The demands of raising children can lead to increased conflict and decreased marital satisfaction. This is especially true for couples with young children, as they may struggle to balance the demands of parenting with other responsibilities such as work and household duties. Additionally, the lack of sleep and added financial stress can exacerbate the strain on the marriage.

Question 11

In the United States and Canada, what percentage of marriages ends in divorce after 20 or more years of marriage?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 25% of marriages in the United States and Canada end in divorce after 20 or more years of marriage.

Question 12

Most divorces take place within the first 10 years of marriage, but about what percentage of divorces in the United States and Canada occur after 20 or more years of marriage?

Accepted Answer

According to statistics, about 25% of divorces in the United States and Canada occur after 20 or more years of marriage.

Question 13

Your aunt and uncle have been married for 21 years and have not been very happy in their marriage for as long as you can remember. Your aunt has resisted getting separated because she thinks that she will be even unhappier as a divorced woman. From your knowledge of development, relative to marital status, who are the most unhappy people?

Accepted Answer

Research shows that unhappily married people are the most unhappy in comparison to divorced, single, or married couples raising young children. This is because unhappy marriages can lead to chronic stress, depression, and overall poor physical and mental health.

Question 14

Divorces in young adulthood tend to be full of anger and conflict, with each partner bitterly blaming the other for the failure of the marriage. In contrast, the midlife divorces tend to be between couples whose ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Divorces in young adulthood tend to be...

Question 15

Some researchers have proposed that during middle adulthood, many married couples maintain a relationship of companionate love. According to Sternberg's theory, companionate love is best described as a relationship that is ____.

Accepted Answer

According to Sternberg's theory, companionate love is characterized by high levels of intimacy and commitment, but low levels of passion. This aligns with the description provided for middle-aged couples who maintain a relationship of companionate love. Option A perfectly describes this type of relationship.

Question 16

What percentage of men and women who divorced in their 40s, 50s or 60s believed that they had made the right decision by getting a divorce from their spouse?

Accepted Answer

75% of men and women who divorced in their 40s, 50s, or 60s believed that they had made the right decision by getting a divorce from their spouse.

Question 17

You recently saw your best friend from high school and asked how her parents were doing. She told you that they are healthy, but that they do not really enjoy each other's company and that the passion that they once had is gone. They are not very committed to each other and share very little intimacy. According to Sternberg, what type of love are they experiencing?

Accepted Answer

The description given indicates that the couple is not experiencing any kind of emotional or physical intimacy, commitment, or passion, which are the three components of Sternberg's triangular theory of love. Therefore, the type of love they are experiencing is "empty love."

Question 18

For Americans who experience a divorce some time in their 40s, 50s and 60s, the most common cited reason for women is ____.

Accepted Answer

Verbal or physical abuse is often cited as a common reason for divorce among women, especially in the age group of 40s, 50s, and 60s. This reflects broader societal concerns about domestic violence and the importance of safety and respect in relationships.

Question 19

You are a grandparent and your daughter and son-in-law are about to get divorced. What is likely to happen with regard to your involvement with your grandchildren?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, grandparents will see their grandchildren more frequently after a divorce because they will want to spend time with both parents separately. However, this can vary depending on the individual circumstances of the family and any custody arrangements that are made.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the lifecycle of marital satisfaction?

Accepted Answer

Research has found that marital satisfaction is high in the first year of marriage, but then tends to decrease as couples have children and experience the stress of childrearing. This low point tends to continue until the children enter emerging adulthood. However, once the children are no longer a major source of stress, marital satisfaction tends to rebound and reach its highest point in midlife and beyond.

Quiz 11: Middle Adulthood