Together on the Path of Positive Aging. Wisdom and Marital Satisfaction in Polish Older Couples: The Mediation Analysis of Forgiveness

This study investigated the relationship between wisdom and marital satisfaction in older Polish couples, examining benevolence and resentment/avoidance as mediators. Successful aging involves maintaining emotional well-being and strong social bonds, yet research on marital satisfaction in adults aged 60+ remains limited. The cross-sectional sample comprised 194 couples aged 60–75 years ( M women = 64.26, SD = 4.75; M men = 65.71, SD = 5.31), married on average 39 years. Participants completed the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale, the Marital Offence-Specific Forgiveness Scale, and measures of specific and global marital satisfaction. Spouses’ own wisdom positively predicted marital satisfaction, with greater benevolence and lower resentment/avoidance mediating this relationship. Higher wisdom was associated with more benevolence and less resentment, which in turn related to greater marital satisfaction. Partner effects indicated that wives were more responsive to husbands’ wisdom than vice versa.