Exploring the Role of Shared Values and Emotional Intimacy in Predicting Long-Term Marital Commitment

This study aimed to examine the predictive roles of shared values and emotional intimacy in marital satisfaction among married individuals in Indonesia. The study employed a correlational descriptive design using a sample of 400 married individuals selected based on Krejcie and Morgan’s sample size table. Participants were recruited from various regions in Indonesia and completed standardized self-report questionnaires measuring marital satisfaction, shared values, and emotional intimacy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics were computed to assess mean and standard deviation scores, followed by Pearson correlation analyses to examine relationships between variables. A multiple linear regression analysis was then conducted to assess the predictive power of shared values and emotional intimacy on marital satisfaction, after testing all statistical assumptions. Descriptive results showed that participants reported moderate to high levels of marital satisfaction (M = 58.47, SD = 8.36), shared values (M = 42.63, SD = 6.71), and emotional intimacy (M = 25.89, SD = 4.52). Pearson correlation results indicated significant positive relationships between marital satisfaction and shared values (r = .61, p < .01), and between marital satisfaction and emotional intimacy (r = .68, p < .01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that both shared values (β = .38, p < .01) and emotional intimacy (β = .44, p < .01) significantly predicted marital satisfaction, accounting for 53% of the variance in the dependent variable. The findings highlight that both emotional intimacy and shared values are important predictors of marital satisfaction in Indonesian couples. Strengthening these dimensions may be essential for improving long-term marital commitment, and they should be considered key elements in marital counseling and educational interventions.