Gender and Age Differences in Marital Intimacy Levels among Iranian Married Couples in Malaysia

This study aimed to establish the differences in marital Intimacy based on gender and age variables. Subjects for this study were 257 married couples (131 females and 126 males aged 25 to 50 years) from 4 public university in Malaysia. The collecting data for the study were through the use of quantitative method. The instrument used was Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships (PAIR) questionnaire to measure marital intimacy level and demographic form for collecting demographic data. The results illustrated the intimacy level of females was higher than men. Statistically, the male and female students significantly differed in their intimacy scores. Also, there is significant differences between Intimacy level and age among married couples. In addition, general age differences in intimacy demonstrated older couples has higher level of intimacy. Consequently, implications of the study give valuable insight to the future use of couple therapist in society. Family therapists can work with couples for nurturing their intimacy thereby control and handling couples conflicts by knowing about spouses differences based on Gender and age differences. Keywords: marital intimacy, gender, age, intimacy level, couple

Marital satisfaction among married Iranian students in Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to develop a Marital Satisfaction Instrument (MSI) among married Iranian students in Malaysia. This study also identifies the levels of marital satisfaction in terms of demographic traits. Finally, it will develop a Marital Satisfaction (MS) model for this population. So, to satisfy the purpose of this study, mixed method approach, qualitative and quantitative were employed. In the qualitative phase, 15 married Iranian students in Malaysia were interviewed. By utilising thematic analysis, 101 items were extracted from the interviews. In the quantitative phase, four pilot tests were conducted to test items and person reliability, item polarity and dimensionality based on Rasch measurement model. Findings show that MSI has an acceptable item reliability of 0.83, person reliability of 0.95 and dimensionality of 47%. MSI was able to identify that 44% or majority of the participants were in the satisfied level of MS. It was also found that there were differences between MS and demographic traits such as age, number of children and levels of finance. But, there were no significant differences between MS and gender, levels of education and length of marriage. Furthermore, MSI produced 10 most contributing dimensions of MS which include children’s issues, conflict resolution, time together, financial issues, personality traits, communication, family of origin, commitment, support, and sexual relationship among this population with a total of 46 items. Thus, this study develops a MS model based on the above dimensions using Rasch analysis. In the MS model, three dimensions: children issues, support and sexual relationship did not emerge in the previous models. By recognising these factors, the administration of Malaysian universities can use the MS model of married Iranian students to accelerate their adaption. Future research can focus on other married international students at local universities. In addition, a comparative study could be conducted between married international students and other cultural contexts

Developing a marital satisfaction model for Iranian couples

The main aim of this study is to develop a marital satisfaction model amongst Iranian couples. For purpose of this study, mixed method approach was selected in order to utilizing the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative research. For implementing qualitative part of research 10 Iranian couples will be selected based on purposive sampling. After reviewing literature, maximum variation sampling was selected, because this method enables researcher to collect data to describe and explain the key themes that can be observed. Participants are selected among Iranian couples with first marriage, more than seven years marital experience, with varies education and income level. For implementing qualitative part of research, grounded theory will be used for analyzing data gathered by interview. For implementing quantitative part of the research, Iranian couple respondents will be requested to fill in , Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI,1997) to get the most suitable marital satisfaction(MS) factors among the Iranian couples. Next, by utilizing SPSS model, these suitable items will be selected for Iranian couples context. Lastly, by triangulation data, a model for Iranian context will be developed. This model will provide a framework for understanding significant factors for Iranian couples. At the end, by using findings from this research design, some recommendations can be made for offering to counselors in Iranian counseling centers and authorities related to marriage field. Keywords: Marital Satisfaction, grounded theory, Purposive samplin

Marital satisfaction of Iranian female students in Malaysia: a qualitative study

Although studies show international married students when faced with a new context, experience new marital concerns, but the study is limited to exploring marital satisfaction factors for various populations. In the past decade, there has been an increasing rate of Iranian married students in Malaysia, but little is known about the marital life of this group. The purpose of the study is to explore factors which contribute to marital satisfaction of Iranian females students in Malaysia. By criterion purposive and snowballing sampling, 10 Iranian female students who were temporary residents at University Technology Malaysia (UTM) were selected. Data were collected by semi- structure interview. By utilizing a qualitative approach (Inductive thematic analysis) four themes were emerged from the data .These themes orderly revealed that financial issues, intimacy, commitment and children education were significant factors that influence the level of marital satisfaction for Iranian female students in Malaysia. Results of this study can help Malaysian universities and counselling services in these universities, propose programs and workshops to international married students in order to reduce their married concerns of this group.Regarding the most common theme (financial issues), UTM should offers some financial facilities for this group