Effect of Early Experiences On Academic Achievement and Marital Adjustment of Women

The present investigation consisted of two parts. Study I examined the relation between intrafamily relationships, level of family adjustment, academic excellence, and marital harmony of women. Sample I consisted of 75 married women classified into academically excellent, high, and average groups. Family Adjustment Test (FAT, Elias, 1954) was administered individually to collect data concerning early childhood experiences about interparental and parent-child relations. The results demonstrate that subjects in excellent group have experienced a significantly higher level of family adjustment as compared to average and normal groups. Split-half reliability of the test was found to be .86. The sample 11 is comprised of 25 married women classified as psychologically disturbed. Construct validity of the test was determined by contrasted groups. Significant differences were found between mean FAT scores of psychologically healthy and disturbed women (p<.001).