Numerous studies document that medical education is demanding and stressful, yet few studies have examined the effects of medical training on spouses and medical marriages. Eighty-three individuals (42 couples) living in medical marriages completed questionnaires measuring marital satisfaction, perceived stress, general mattering, and wellness. Com parisons of responses with existing norm-group scores revealed that residents scored higher than counselor education doctoral students on work satisfaction and satisfaction with shared marriage values and scored lower than counseling doctoral students on realistic beliefs. Resident spouses scored higher than the general married population on wellness, mattering, and satisfaction with shared marriage values and scored lower on work satisfaction and realistic beliefs. There was no significant difference in wellness, perceived stress, and mattering between residents and their nonresident spouses. Implications for couples counseling and further research are provided.
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