Two studies were carried out to validate the Life Role Salience Scales, des
igned to provide measures of valuing and commitment to occupational, marita
l, parental, and home-care roles. In Study 1, 215 employed adults filled ou
r the scales and a measure of job happiness. Scores on the latter did not c
orrelate with those on the Occupational subscale of the Life Role Salience
Scales. As predicted, single subjects scored lower on the Parental and Mari
tal subscales and higher on the Occupational subscale than married ones. In
Study 2, 81 married couples filled out the Life Role Salience Scales and t
he Purpose-in-Life Scale. As predicted, the scores were significantly relat
ed. Couples' scores were no more similar to each other than those of a matc
hed group of nominally married couples.