DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OLDER WOMEN UNDERGRADUATES WHEN COMPARED BY MARITAL STATUS

The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between marital status and other variables in older women undergraduates (over 25) and to apply these findings to advising. Psychological adjustment variables varied by marital status as did some sociodemographic and academic variables. Using t-tests and ANOVAs, married students compared to non-married students were found to be consistently better adjusted (happier, more satisfied, having higher self-efficacy in getting what was wanted in life): and were less likely to be full-time students. Divorced students were generally more heterogeneous than other groups while having more financial problems than non-divorced students and, surprisingly, also having higher self-esteem. Single students were less well adjusted, experienced major financial stress, had poorer grades, yet persisted to graduation at a higher rate than non-singles. The older female students may require added attention from university personnel to make higher education a positive experience. Implications and recommendations for advisors are discussed for all marital status categories.