Shared Participation in Self-Expanding Activities: Positive Effects on Experienced Marital Quality

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511500077.010

7 - Shared Participation in Self-Expanding Activities: Positive Effects on Experienced Marital Quality

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 July 2009

Arthur Aron ,

Christine C. Norman ,

Elaine N. Aron and

Gary Lewandowski

Edited by

Patricia Noller and

Judith A. Feeney

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Arthur Aron: Affiliation:
State University of New York at Stony Brook
Christine C. Norman: Affiliation:
Columbia University
Elaine N. Aron: Affiliation:
State University of New York at Stony Brook
Gary Lewandowski: Affiliation:
State University of New York at Stony Brook
Patricia Noller: Affiliation:
University of Queensland
Judith A. Feeney: Affiliation:
University of Queensland

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Summary

Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don't let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.

—R. I. Fitzhenry

The period when two people first fall in love often seems to be characterized by energized and intense emotions, preoccupation with each other and the relationship, and great optimism. Yet over time, as the partners get to know each other, there is a typical decline in this exhilaration, often even a sense of apathy and boredom, a reduced interest in each other and the relationship, and a less idealized vision of the future. Indeed, a typical decline in love and satisfaction after the initial relationship period is one of the most well-documented findings in the study of marriage in Western cultures (for example, Blood & Wolfe, 1960; Glenn, 1990; Locke & Wallace, 1959; Rollins & Feldman, 1970; Tucker & Aron, 1993).

However, there is considerable variation in the rate of this decline (Tucker & Aron, 1993). One longitudinal study that followed newlyweds for four years found that as many as 10% showed an increase in marital quality over this period (Karney & Bradbury, 1997). In addition, studies of individuals who have been married 30 years or longer have found small but significant numbers who report high levels of passionate love (Traupmann & Hatfield, 1981; Tucker & Aron, 1993), including high scores on Hatfield and Sprecher's (1986) Passionate Love Scale with items such as “I would rather be with ___ than anyone else.”

Type: Chapter
Information: Understanding Marriage
Developments in the Study of Couple Interaction
, pp. 177 - 194

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511500077.010 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2002

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