Relationship between Sensation Seeking and Marital Satisfaction of Couples in Urmia

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research was to study of the relationship between amount of match of sensation seeking and marital satisfaction of couples in Urmia. Type of research was causal comparative. Research population was composed of families in Urmia among which 310 couples were selected in three stages as a sample. The statistical population was dividedly into four groups of both couples’ satisfaction seekers, both non satisfaction seekers, wife - satisfaction seeker and husband non - satisfaction seeker; husband satisfaction seeker, wife non - satisfaction seeker. The sensation seeking instrument used in this research was the fifth, sensation seeking scale of Marvin Zuckerman, Enrich Marital satisfaction questionnaire and demographic questionnaire. For statistical analysis, independent t-test and covariance analysis were used. Results of study showed that in all the above mentioned groups men significantly had more satisfaction than women. Couples of both members being more satisfaction seekers, compared with couples of both members, of which non- satisfaction seeker had less marital satisfaction. Couples both members of which satisfaction seeker were enjoying the same level of satisfaction in whom only husband was satisfaction seeker. The couples in which both members were non-satisfaction seeker, members had more satisfaction than in those couples which only wife was satisfaction seeker. Couples both members of which were non-satisfaction seeker had more marital satisfaction compared with those in which husband was satisfaction seeker. Couples in which husband was satisfaction seeker were enjoying more satisfaction compared with those in which wife was satisfaction seeker. Consequently, it can be inferred that sensation seeking influences marital satisfaction negatively, as according to the findings of this research and other studies that the lower the degree of

KEYWORDS Adaptation, Marital Satisfaction, Satisfaction Seeker, Sensation Seeking.