“My Mama Don't Like You and She Likes Everyone”: The Role of Family Approval in Partner Conflict and Satisfaction

Abstract

Family members' acceptance of one's romantic partner may play an important role in the progress of new and developing romantic relationships. This study used a sample of 707 couples that completed a questionnaire from the Marriage Matters Panel Survey of Newlywed Couples to observe the effects from family approval to conflict to relationship quality across the first three to 4 years of marriage. Results indicated that an increase in husbands’ family approval at Wave 1 was significantly linked with the relationship quality of both spouses at Wave 3 via the indirect effect through both spouses' conflict at Wave 2. More specifically, as husbands' families were more approving of their wives shortly after marriage, both spouses reported less conflict 18 months into marriage, and higher relationship quality 3 to 4 years into marriage. Clinical implications will be reviewed for helping couples and families navigate this developmental stage of marriage formation.