ATTITUDES TOWARD MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE HELD BY YOUNG-ADULTS

This experiment investigated current attitudes about marriage and divo rce held by young adults. One-hundred-four female and 84 male college students participated in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 2 3. The experiment was a 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 between subject factorial design . There were three independent variables: workaholic/cheating spouse, two children/no children, and husband/wife as stimulus person. There w as one predictor variable: sex of the subject. Subjects read one of ei ght scenarios and answered questions relating to it. Subjects were ask ed to rate on a six-point Likert scale whether the scenario couple sho uld seek a divorce or stay in the marriage. The subjects were also ask ed to choose one of four possible solutions for the future of the marr iage. Survey questions included demographics, marital status of subjec ts' parents, questions concerning the subjects' marriage (if married) and their attitudes toward marriage. A four-way ANOVA was performed on each of the dependent variables. There were no significant results fo r sex of the stimulus person or sex of the subject. The most significa nt variable was cheating/workaholic spouse. The results indicate that parental marital status does not have a significant effect on the atti tudes of the adult children regarding marriage and divorce. Overall, r esponses indicated positive attitudes about marriage and commitment.