Emotional Self-disclosure, Relationship Closeness, and Marital Satisfaction among Working and Non-working Married Women

Abstract

This study investigated the differences between emotional self-disclosure, relationship closeness, and marital satisfaction among working and non-working married women. A cross-sectional comparative research design was used. A sample of 200 married women, 100 working and 100 non-working (M age =39.90) were selected through a non-probability purposive sampling strategy. Scales used in the current research included ESDS (Snell, 2013), URCS (Dibble & Levine, 2011), and KANSAS Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS) (Schumm & Nichols, 1993). The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 with an independent sample t-test. Results indicated significant differences between the groups, with non-working married women more frequently disclosing emotions, feeling closer in their relationships, and expressing greater satisfaction with their marriages than working married women. Notably, non-working married women showed a greater tendency to disclose happiness-related emotions, whereas working married women disclosed anger more frequently. The findings of this study would be helpful for women planning to get married, as they would understand how their employment may affect their marital life. Moreover, these results could be incorporated into couples counseling programs.