Factors associated with marital readiness among Turkish young adults

• Published in: Family relations Vol. 71; no. 1; pp. 307 - 324
• Main Authors: Keidal, Gökay, Yildirim, Ibrahim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Minneapolis National Council on Family Relations 01.02.2022
• Subjects: Age; Beliefs; Confirmatory factor analysis; Data Analysis; Data collection; Economic Factors; Factor Analysis; Families & family life; Family Role; Homemaking Skills; Interpersonal Competence; Interpersonal relations; Interpersonal Relationship; Marriage; Marriage counseling; Measurement; Medical personnel; Mental health; Mental health professionals; Methods Research; Mixed methods research; Personal relationships; Quality Assurance; Quality Control; Research design; Research Methodology; Sampling; Social responsibility; Variables; Young adults
• ISSN: 0197-6664; 0197-6664
• DOI: 10.1111/fare.l2619

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine common themes for marital readiness, to evaluate the generalization to broader samples consisting of single individuals, and to examine the factors associated with marital readiness. Background: Readiness for marriage is essential to the formation of a healthy marital union. Therefore, it is important to conceptualize marital readiness. Method: This study was designed using the exploratory sequential design, a mixed-methods research approach. This research was carried out with a total of 1523 (865 female, 658 male) unmarried Turkish young adults in three study groups. In the data analysis, thematic analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and regression analysis were used. Results: Six themes were determined as the factors to which single young adults attach importance for marital readiness. These themes were financial readiness, emotional readiness, interpersonal relationship readiness, family life and family role readiness, sexual readiness, and social responsibility readiness. Conclusion: The Marital Readiness Scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool. The variables of age, ideal marital age, and the ideal amount of time needed to get to know a partner before marriage were revealed to be related to marital readiness. Implications: Mental health professionals can benefit from the results of this research when designing marriage preparation programs.