St. Croix Men Are Happier In Relationships Than St. Croix Women, UVI Research Finds

ST. CROIX — Today marked the fourth annual University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Research Day on both St. Croix and St. Thomas campuses, where the institution’s faculty, students and staff showcased research they conducted to bring to the fore topics that impact the territory.

VI Consortium was present during today’s showcase at the UVI Great Hall on St. Croix, where multiple research results were on display with participating students ready to explain their work.

While all the research conducted are extremely important and will be covered in forthcoming articles, this story concentrates on research titled: “The Satisfaction of Romantic Relationships and its Connection with Length of Relationship, age Differential and Gender on St. Croix”.

Research chart

The research was conducted by Dizhan Hicks, an undergraduate student at UVI studying liberal arts and social sciences. According to official documents, the study was conducted to “determine if age differential, gender and length of a relationship can predict the satisfaction of romantic relationships.”

The research targeted individuals who were shopping at Plaza Extra East on St. Croix, and surveys were conducted using Funk and Rogge’s Couple Satisfaction Index. As part of the research, questions about length, age differential and gender were issued to individuals who were at least 18 years old, and were currently in a romantic relationship at the time of the survey.

The study found that 53 percent St. Croix men were happier in their relationships than their female counterparts. Hicks’ research did not provide data on the percentage of women who were happy in their relationships.

The undergrad found that there was no correlation between relationship satisfaction and age, or length of relationship on St. Croix. Hicks research also showed that most St. Croix women are in relationships with men who are older than they are.

Hicks said she intends to continue her research, which will gather data from 90 participants once completed. So far, she has gathered data on 33 surveys. Her efforts were also hampered by multiple persons who declined to participate in the research.

UVI’s President Dr. David Hall, in his message to the community, said it was an honor to welcome visitors to the fourth  annual event, and said the institution “embraces the unique responsibility” it has as the “only public institution of higher education in the territory to provide educational programs that address the challenges and embrace the opportunities that impact the territory and the region.”

Hall added that Research Day has become an indelible part of the university’s community outreach efforts, and that it presents a special opportunity to “showcase the important and cutting edge research of our students and faculty.”