Background:
Amid increasing marital instability and declining interest in marriage among younger individuals, identifying interpersonal factors that contribute to marital satisfaction is critical. Quality of marital life also contributes to overall well being as this companionship is a lasting bond, especially in the collectivist culture, wherein marriages are expected to last a lifetime. But simply because the length of marriage is longer, it does not ensure a great quality. However, the quality of marriage is a strong predictor of individual wellbeing and mental health. Therefore, understanding factors that enhance one's satisfaction with marriage becomes valuable in enhancing wellbeing. In this line, this study explored the roles of marital virtues, self-disclosure, and nonverbal communication in predicting marital satisfaction within the Indian cultural context.


Method:
A mixed-methods design was employed. The quantitative component included 300 married participants (123 men, 177 women) aged 25-45 from urban regions in India. Instruments included a self-developed Marital Virtues Scale, the Marital Self-Disclosure Questionnaire, the Nonverbal Immediacy Scale Report , and the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine predictive relationships. Additionally, open-ended responses were analyzed thematically to capture the lived experiences of participants.


Results:
Marital virtues, self-disclosure, and nonverbal communication significantly predicted marital satisfaction, collectively accounting for 27% of the variance (R² = .27). Thematic analysis revealed how these factors are experienced and expressed in daily life, offering culturally grounded insights into communication patterns and relational values in Indian marriages.


Conclusion and Implications:
Findings highlight the importance of fostering virtues and effective communication—both verbal and nonverbal—in enhancing marital satisfaction. These results underscore the need for culturally sensitive marital counselling and relationship education programs that emphasise these interpersonal skills. Such interventions can strengthen marital bonds and contribute to healthier, more satisfying relationships in India and similar cultural contexts.