PREMARITAL FACTORS INFLUENCING PERCEIVED READINESS FOR MARRIAGE

The purpose of this article is to add to our understanding of the mult iple factors related to young adults' perceptions of their readiness f or marriage. A theoretical model was developed to test the simultaneou s effects of variables suggested by previous research and theory. A pr eexisting data set with premarital data from 2,508 young adults contai ned items measuring 8 indices of the theoretical predictor variables. The 8 latent variables were satisfaction with family relationships in the family of origin, amount of support of significant others for the relationship, impulsivity, attitude toward privacy, sociodemographic c haracteristics, perceived physical attractiveness, quality of couple c ommunication, and level of couple agreement. The model was tested with analysis of covariance structures in LISREL. The results support the contention of multiple levels of causation. Perceptions of personal re adiness for marriage depend largely on contextual issues (sociodemogra phic characteristics and significant other support) and then on the qu ality of couple interaction.