Parents of children with special needs can experience more stress in their marriage than parents of children without special needs. Previous work has focused on the child as a major influence for the marital relationship, however this research sought to examine less commonly discussed factors that influence marital satisfaction for these parents. Perceived job flexibility and perceived spousal support in parenting were targeted as potential influencers. A mediation model was attempted to explain the mediating role of perceived spousal support in parenting in the relationship between perceived job flexibility and marital satisfaction. Results showed no correlation between perceived job flexibility and marital satisfaction. Positive correlations between perceived job flexibility and perceived spousal support in parenting were found and positive correlations were also seen between perceived spousal support in parenting and marital satisfaction. Analysis produced a more linear model of influence than the predicted mediation model. Implications of these findings were discussed. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, I would like to thank my committee chair, Dr. Lindsay Wright, for her invaluable guidance, her personal interest in my research, and her support through this process. I would also like to thank another committee member, Dr. Amanda Williams, who readily responded to my many emails and who was instrumental in fostering my understanding of data analysis. Also, I would like to thank another committee member, Dr. Heath Grames, for his helpful feedback and his knowledgeable contributions during this process. iv DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this project to the many families that I have had the honor to work with over the years and who are the inspiration for my research. I would also like to thank my family for all of the encouragement and confidence they have given me in this pursuit. Additionally, I would like to thank my partner, Jeremy Chojnacki, as it is his support and his unfaltering belief in me that has helped me to achieve my goals. v