Factors associated with marital readiness among Turkish young adults

• Published date: 01 February 2022
• Author: Gökay Keldal,İbrahim Yıldırım
• Date: 01 February 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12619

RESEARCH

Factors associated with marital readiness among

Turkish young adults

Gökay Keldal

1

|_

Ibrahim Yıldırım

2

1

Department of Guidance and Psychological

Counseling, Faculty of Education, Kilis,

Turkey

2

Department of Guidance and Psychological

Counseling, Faculty of Education, Hacettepe

University, Ankara, Turkey

Correspondence

Gökay Keldal, Department of Guidance and

Psychological Counseling, Faculty of

Education, Kilis 7 Aralık University, Kilis,

Turkey.

Email: gokaykeldal@yandex.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7998-0766

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine com-

mon themes for marital readiness, to evaluate the generaliza-

tion to broader samples consisting of single individuals, and to

examine the factors associated with marital readiness.

Background: Readiness for marriage is essential to the for-

mation of a healthy marital union. Therefore, it is impor-

tant 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, emo-

tional readiness, interpersonal relationship readiness, fam-

ily 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 maritalreadiness.

Implications: Mental health professionals can benefit from

the results of this research when designing marriage prepa-

ration programs.

KEYWORDS

marital readiness, marital readiness scale, mixed methods, premarital

factors, single young adults

Social changes such as women’s increased participation in business life, increased participation

in higher education, and easier access to contraception and abortion have greatly changed the

sociocultural view of marriage and family formation (Kefalas et al., 2011). Although being

Received: 15 February 2021Revised: 27 August 2021Accepted: 18 September 2021

DOI: 10.1111/fare.12619

© 2021 National Council on Family Relations.

Family Relations. 2022;71:307–324.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/fare 307

single has been regarded as a realistic alternative to marriage throughout history, the emergence

of cohabitation in recent years as a widespread alternative to marriage (Thornton et al., 2008),

an increase in cohabitation (Bumpass & Sweet, 1989; Manning et al., 2014), and the rise in the

number of children born out of wedlock (Bumpass & Lu, 2000) can be cited as evidence of

changes in the institution of marriage. Some studies have shown that young people are uni-

nterested in marriage. Willoughby and Carroll (2010) determined that only 17% of the young

people in their study agreed with the statement “I would like to be married now.”Willoughby

et al. (2012) stated that, compared with their parents, young people were more likely to agree

with the idea that being single has many advantages over being married.

Not feeling ready for marriage can play an important role in keeping young people away from

marriage. Previous studies (Carroll et al., 2009; Karada

g, 2006) have reported that more than half of

young people did not feel ready for marriage. Marital readiness is regarded a factor facilitating the

decision to marry (Hurt, 2014), and it has a positive association with marital satisfaction (Holman

et al., 1994). Although marital readiness plays an important role before and during the marriage,

Goad (1987) drew attention to the fact that marital readiness is not sufficiently emphasized in studies

on marriage and family. In this study, we defined marital readiness as being aware of the expectations

and roles regarding marital life, fulfilling the responsibilities required by the marital relationship, hav-

ing the skills to solve any problems that may be experienced in marital life, and maintaining the mari-

tal relationship in a healthy way. In line with this definition, the purpose of this study was to

conceptualize Turkish young adults’marital readiness, to develop a tool for measuring their marital

readiness, and to determine the variables associated with marital readiness.

STUDIES ON MARITAL READINESS

Research on marital readiness includes studies on measurement tool development (Carroll

et al., 2009; Keeler, 1962; Sporakowski, 1968). In two early approaches (Keeler, 1962;

Sporakowski, 1968), the research focused on dimensions related to developmental readiness,

social skills, and homemaking skills. Other research has included a focus on broader constructs

that may influence readiness for marriage. For example, Carroll et al. (2009) classified the

criteria for marital readiness under six dimensions: norm compliance, family capacities, role

transitions, interpersonal competencies, intrapersonal competencies, and sexual experience.

One variable that has generally not been included are items related to economicfactors.

Studies put forth that economic factors are important in the formation of a marriage union.

Muraco and Curran (2012) determined that financial concerns are an important factor among

the reasons for delaying marriage. Similarly, in their study with low-income unmarried parents,

Gibson-Davis et al. (2005) reported that financial concerns are among the obstacles in front of

a marriage. Shafer and James (2013) determined that being employed full-time increased the

probability of getting married compared with being unemployed. Keldal and S¸eker (2021)

stated that having a job increases the probability of prioritizing marriage in the life plan. These

findings indicate that financial issues cannot be ignored when assessing marital readiness.

In addition to the development of tools to measure marital readiness, there are also a limited num-

ber of studies examining the variables that affect marital readiness and that are associated with mari-

tal readiness. Holman and Li (1997) tested a model to examine the factors affecting perceived marital

readiness. Larson and colleagues (Larson & LaMont, 2005; Larson et al., 2007; Larson &

Thayne, 1999) examined perceived marital readiness according to parental alcohol use and parental

sexual abuse.

In both scale development studies and other studies, a dilemma in the evaluation of marital readi-

ness can be noted. Some researchers (Holman & Li, 1997; Larson et al., 2007) have focused on general

marital readiness when assessing perceived marital readiness. This made it challenging to discuss mar-

ital readiness in terms of dimensions. Other studies (Carroll et al., 2009; Ghalili et al., 2012;

308 FAMILY RELATIONS