Role Balance and Marital Satisfaction in Taiwanese Couples: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Approach

Role balance theory proposed that a well-organized self-system, rather than a salient hierarchy role, contributes to individual psychological well-being. However, research on role balance focuses only on the intrapersonal process without regard for the interpersonal process on the spouse’s well-being. Furthermore, pervious studies were all conducted in the East cultures (countries) which lead to the doubt whether the theory could be applied into East cultures such as collectivism. Therefore, in this study, we surveyed 204 dyads form Taiwan. Participants completed the Role Balance Scale and Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to analyze the data. Results indicated that the husband’s role balance positively predicted his own and his wife’s marital satisfaction. Similarly, the wife’s role balance also had a positive effect on her own and her husband’s marital satisfaction. These results suggest that the influence of role balance is bidirectional within couples. Moreover, model comparisons demonstrated that the wife’s marital satisfaction was affected more by her own role balance than by her husband’s role balance. Possible mechanisms, limitations and implications of this study are discussed.