Is there an association between marital satisfaction and recalled parental rearing behavior?

The present study deals with the question whether relevant associations can be shown between current marital satisfaction and recalled parental rearing behavior. Until now only few empirical results have been obtained concerning this topic. Our study is based on a representative sample of 1509 persons aged 18 to 50 years. The statistical analysis was restricted to those N = 1104 subjects who lived in partnership. The data were assessed by self-reporting scales: the Questionnaire of Recalled Parental Rearing Behavior (Fragebogen zum erinnerten elterlichen Erziehungsverhalten FEE) and the Partnership Questionnaire (Partnerschaftsfragebogen PFB). Persons who recalled the rearing behavior of their parents as having been rejective and less emotionally warm show a lower degree of partnership satisfaction. The perceived maternal rearing behavior particularly proved to be a comparatively strong determinant of marital satisfaction.