Dispositionally Vulnerable? Improving Marital Commitment to Counter Neuroticism and Negative Affect

Abstract Marital adjustment is a crucial factor for the mental and physical health of individuals. In this study, we examined the influence of three factors on marital adjustment, that were, negative affect, neuroticism, and marital commitment. In a sample of 258 married partners (Female n = 138; Mage=35.98, SD = 10.83), we found that negative affect, neuroticism, and marital commitment cumulatively contributed 41% of variance in marital adjustment. Marital commitment contributed the most variance in marital adjustment (33%) versus negative effect and neuroticism combined (9%). The implication, limitations, and future directions are discussed.