An early review of more than 25 studies on whether marital quality improves with age concluded that:

• A. No Consensus On This Question
• B. All Of These Studies Reported Substantial Change In Marital Quality In Later Life
• C. There Was Considerable Agreement Among The Authors That Marital Quality Definitely Improves With Age
• D. None Of These Studies Discovered A Decline In Marital Love And Companionship Over The Years

Answer: (A)

This question tests how consistent findings are across studies on aging and marital quality. An early synthesis of more than 25 studies found that results varied widely and there was no clear agreement about how marital quality changes with age. Some studies suggested improvements in certain aspects, others found little change, and some reported declines or mixed results, depending on what was measured and the population studied. Because the review did not reveal a single, uniform pattern, the correct takeaway is that there was no consensus on whether marital quality improves with age. The other statements imply universal change or a universal lack of decline, which the review does not support.