Date of Award:

5-2014

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Renee V. Galliher

Committee

Renee V. Galliher

Committee

Melanie M. Domenech Rodriguez

Committee

Carolyn Barcus

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore associations among marital maintenance strategies, religious experiences, and marital quality in a sample of 80 married college students. Maintenance strategies are tactics used by couple members to sustain healthy relationships/marriages, and include both cognitive (e.g., choosing to focus on the positive aspects of the partner) and behavioral (e.g., engaging in shared activites) strategies. Specific patterns of association among religious practices and beliefs, particular maintenance strategies, and marital-quality outcomes were assessed in order to better understand pathways to optimal marital functioning for religiously affiliated individuals.

Most participants were affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), and indicated very high levels of felt importance of their religious beliefs and participation in religious practices. Within this highly religious sample, greater investment in religion was related to less conflict and more commitment to marriage. Maintenance strategies, such as enhancing positivity in the relationship and providing assurance to the partner, were related to commitment also, but their relation was not as pronounced as religious involvement. The results of this study have clincial and developmental implications for understanding marital functioning among highly religious individuals. Exploring specific doctrinal beliefs and religious values that link to marital commitment can inform interventions with religious couples.

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Psychology Commons

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