The Marital Adjustment Inventory is designed to measure the level of marital adjustment among individuals aged 20-50. It evaluates how well partners in a marriage adapt to each other and how effectively they maintain a harmonious relationship. The inventory focuses on several key aspects:
1. Mutual Satisfaction: The degree to which both partners feel content and fulfilled in their relationship.
2. Effective Communication: How well couples share thoughts, feelings, and ideas with each other, which is essential for resolving conflicts and deepening emotional bonds.
3. Conflict Resolution: The ability of the couple to manage disagreements in a healthy way, maintaining respect and finding solutions together.
4. Emotional Intimacy: The strength of emotional closeness, understanding, and connection between partners.
The inventory consists of 23 items answered in Yes or No form, which are simple yet revealing indicators of how well the couple functions across these dimensions. The scale is bilingual, making it accessible to a broader audience, and has been validated with high reliability.
A high score on the inventory indicates a well-adjusted marriage, characterized by mutual satisfaction and effective relationship management. A low score, on the other hand, suggests difficulties in one or more of the areas of marital life, which could be indicative of unresolved issues, poor communication, or dissatisfaction. The results can help couples or counselors identify areas needing improvement and guide them toward enhancing the quality of their relationship.