Benefits of Marriage (Divorced) Questionnaire

For each item, respondents were asked to rate how much they agreed or disagreed with the statement using the following scale. Some items were specifically directed to the year following the divorce (D); others were presented as general statements (G).

Scale Item
Personal commitment due to identification with relationship (PIDENT) (G) You really liked being a husband / wife.
(D) You missed the sense of being a couple.
Moral commitment due to relationship type (MREL) (D) You were disappointed in yourself because you had broken a sacred vow.
(G) Getting a divorce violates your religious beliefs.
(G) It's alright to get a divorce if things are not working out.
(G) If a couple works hard at a marriage and still cannot get along, divorce is the best thing they can do.
Moral commitment to the partner (MPART) (D) You felt bad about getting a divorce because you promised your spouse you would stay with him / her forever.
(D) It was hard leaving your spouse because s/he needed you too much.
(D) It was difficult to tell your spouse that you wanted to divorce.
(D) You felt guilty about letting him / her down.
Moral commitment due to general consistency values (MCONS) (G) Whenever you promise to do something, you should carry it through.
(G) It's important to stand by what you believe in.
(G) You feel that you should finish what you start.
(G) Even when things get hard, you should do the things you have promised to do.
Structural commitment from available alternatives (SALTAV) (D) You missed important income, insurance, or other property.
(D) You missed living in your house.
(D) You missed just having somebody around.
(D) You missed the help you got around the house from having a partner.
(D) You missed being able to see your children regularly.
(D) You did not have to work around the house so much (item is reverse scored).
Structural commitment from social reaction (SSOCAV) (D) You were upset because you would lose your place or standing in the community.
(D) You were upset because your family was uncomfortable with your breaking up.
(D) You were upset because your in-laws were uncomfortable with your breaking up.
(D) You were upset because you lost some respect from friends.
(D) It was difficult to face your friends and family after you broke up.
(D) You lost some of your children's love.
Structural commitment from difficulty of termination procedures (STPAV) (D) It was hard to work out who would get what property.
(D) It was hard for you to find a new place to live.
(D) Having to move your things was a burden.
(D) Dealing with the legal system was difficult.
(D) It was hard to work out who would get the kids.
Structural commitment from investments (SINAV) (D) You lost all the time you had put into the marriage.
(D) You felt like all the effort you'd put into keeping the two of you together had been wasted.
(D) You lost money you'd put into the relationship.
(D) You felt like you'd wasted the best years of your life.
These items were included in the measure but proved to be nonsignificant items; therefore, they are not included in any scale and probably should not be cited as specific examples in your case study. (D) You missed being able to do things people usually do as a couple.
(D) You felt incomplete because you were not married.
(D) You missed having a sexual relationship.
(D) You missed being able to talk to and do fun things with a partner.
(D) You were able to find someone who made you happier than your spouse (item reverse coded).
(D) You were able to do more of what you enjoyed (item reverse coded).
(G) Being married helped you feel good about yourself.

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