Goal continuity and the “Big Five” as predictors of older adult marital adjustment

This study proposes that goal continuity contributes incrementally to older adult perceived marital adjustment when controlling for the five-factor model of personality (FFM). Analyses using correlational techniques, including hierarchical linear modeling, were used to test our hypothesis for a group of 117 currently married older adults. The final model, which included the FFM variables and goal continuity, provided the best fit to the data, with goal continuity being the largest and most significant predictor. Consistent with previous research using the construct, goal continuity served as an important predictor of older adult behavior and perceptions. Implications for conducting research in the areas of marital adjustment and continuity theory are discussed.