Recent changes in marital and extramarital fertility according to ethnicity in Kazakhstan Saule Dyussupova Abstract Contemporary Kazakhstan has experienced different social and political changes since being an independent country. These changes influenced demographic processes such as fertility. The number of live births per one woman has altered, but what were the changes among ethnicities and what type of fertility has changed more: marital or extramarital? To answer these questions more sizable ethnicities in Kazakhstan, which are Kazakhs, Russians, Ukrainians and Uzbeks were chosen. After examining the trends for the above mentioned ethnicities, their demographic positions in marital and extramarital fertility were explained. Meanwhile, despite the fact that the social-cultural attitudes of each ethnicity differ from each other, the tendency in marital fertility was going up among all ethnicities and in case of extramarital fertility, mostly among non and mixed traditional ethnicities was going down. Thus, based on the results of the research, the author has concluded the following: after the stabilization of economic and political conditions in the country the number of marital births increased, whereas traditional ethnicity (Uzbek) has experienced the fastest increase in the proportion of extramarital...

Thesis Msc.(Clinical Psychology))--University of Limpopo, 2009. / The overall scope of the study was to explore reasons why couples do not present themselves for premarital counselling. Research indicates that despite the high divorce rates and dissatisfaction with the institution of marriage, most engaged couples are reluctant to participate in premarital counselling, in spite of its demonstrated efficacy. To understand the reasons for this lack of participation, five (5) couples who were in the process of getting married were interviewed. The results of the analysis indicate that engaged couples experience high levels of relationship satisfaction. This may result in the low participation rate as they do not perceive themselves as being susceptible to marital problems and divorce. However, due to the small sample size, it is difficult to generalize the findings. As a result further research is suggested. It is also recommended that research be conducted to determine the connection between the lack of awareness surrounding premarital counselling and participation in premarital counselling. Lastly, it is also recommended that the structure and format of the program should be made to appear more appealing and socially acceptable.

Researchers and therapists have given increasing attention and recognition to the cognitive components of marital distress. Numerous investigators have attempted to identify and operationalize key cognitive variables that are related to marital satisfaction. In doing so, researchers have looked at the differences between distressed and nondistressed couples in relation to certain categories of cognitive variables, hoping to demonstrate that a significant relationship exists between certain types of cognition and marital satisfaction. Although investigators agree that certain categories of cognition are directly related to marital satisfaction, there is no clear consensus on the degree of influence that these cognitive variables have on marital satisfaction and to what extent these variables are interrelated. The present study examined the relationship between marital satisfaction and four categories of cognition: casual attributions, expectancies, standards, and assumptions. Correlation analyses showed little if any multicolinearity between the independent variables. Stepwise regression analyses failed to yield a statistically significant model for predicting marital satisfaction using strictly these four independent variables. Although previous studies have demonstrated a relationship between scores on assessment measures for these four independent variables and marital satisfaction, the current sample did not follow this pattern.

The purpose of the current study was to examine links between Gottman's (1994, 1999) conflict resolution (CR) styles and marital distress indicators (the four horsemen), adult attachment, and Snyder's (1997) marital satisfaction inventory. (MSI-R). One hundred and one heterosexual couples (202 individuals; mean age = 43.5 years, SD = 11.15), currently involved in a marital style relationship (length of relationship M = 19 years, SD = 10.8), were recruited via undergraduate psychology students at a Melbourne university, who requested the questionnaires be completed by their parents or other relatives if they were not eligible for inclusion, and via a Melbourne relationship counselling centre. No evidence was found for matching of conflict resolution styles between partners in the couples, therefore hypotheses testing matching of conflict resolution style against marital distress indicators, marital satisfaction and attachment orientation were not supported. Women were found to score higher on the anxiety adult attachment dimension than men, but no gender differences were found on the 'avoidance' adult attachment dimension. Hypotheses testing links between adult attachment and Gottman's conflict resolution styles (CR) were supported. Participants classified into the secure attachment category were found to score significantly higher in validating CR than those classified as avoidant (dismissive or fearful), and significantly lower in volatile CR than preoccupied participants. Avoidant CR scores were found to be significantly lower amongst secure women than dismissive women, and amongst secure men than both dismissive and fearful men. The hypothesis that women would be higher in contempt and criticism than men was supported, whilst the prediction that men would be higher in stonewalling than women was not supported. Participants classified as secure were associated with lower levels of marital distress indicators and marital dissatisfaction variables than those classified as insecure, as predicted; however some gender differences were apparent in the pattern of differences between the attachment groups in these variables. The hypothesis testing partners' similarity to one another on Gottman's marital distress indicators was not supported; however strong support was found for the notion that partners believed themselves to be similar to their partners on these variables. The hypothesis that secure or dismissive participants would have greater perceived similarity than preoccupied or fearful participants was supported for men but not for women. The prediction that anxious attachment scores would be associated with higher accuracy of partner perception was supported for women but not for men. The prediction that anxious attachment would decrease with age and length of relationship was supported for women but not for men; and the final prediction that accuracy of partner perception would diminish with length of relationship was supported for men but not for women. Overall, results of the current study indicate that there are subtle differences between men and women in the experience of distress in marital relationships, as well as in how relationships change over time. Further, the current research offers evidence that the conflict resolution styles proposed by Gottman may be related to attachment orientation, and may offer some explanation as to how various attachment needs are met via these different methods of marital interaction.

This study addressed substantial limitations in the literature pertaining to intimate partner violence (IPV). In particular, I addressed the gender symmetry debate, and identified factors associated with the dynamics of violent relationships by examining the correlates related to perpetrating and suffering IPV for both men and women. Finally, I examined attitudes towards IPV, communication behaviour, and conflict management techniques as a function of abuse history. Participants were recruited from three samples of the New Zealand population (student, general, and incarcerated). The inclusion of an incarcerated sample enabled the examination of more severe, frequent and injurious violence than is typically experienced within the student and general samples. There were three phases to the study. The first phase explored incidence rates and psychological correlates of IPV. As expected, the incidence of IPV was highest within the incarcerated sample (Chapter 5). Of greater significance, the incidence of IPV was similar for males and females, with the majority of violence being bi-directional (Chapters 4 & 5). Moreover, the psychological correlates associated with IPV were similar for perpetrators and victims, and males and females (Chapters 4 & 5). Due to the bi-directional nature of IPV, analyses presented in Chapters 4 and 5 were limited by the categorisation of participants as both perpetrators and victims. In Chapter 6, I overcame this limitation. The attitudes of victims were examined separately to individuals experiencing bi-directional violence. Validating the findings of Chapters 4 and 5, the attitudes and behaviours of victims and perpetrators were similar. These included being more hostile and negative towards others and ones� partner, being more controlling, and reporting more communication problems. I also further explored gender symmetry in IPV. Male and female IPV was found to be similar in frequency, severity, and similarly associated with control. However, the type of acts perpetrated differed across gender. During the second and third phase of the study, I further examined participants� communication behaviour (Chapter 7), conflict behaviour, and attitudes (Chapter 8). Findings revealed that perpetrators and victims employed less facilitative and polite linguistic devices (Chapter 7) and reported fewer skills for dealing with conflict (Chapter 8) than did other individuals. An examination of attitudes towards IPV revealed males and females had similar attitudes and were more condoning of female, than male-perpetrated IPV. Moreover, individuals with a history of IPV were the most condoning of violence. Additionally, a number of correlates associated with experiencing IPV were also associated with attitudes condoning IPV (Chapter 8). Overall, the findings revealed IPV to be bi-directional and gender symmetrical. Male and female IPV was similar in incidence, severity, and injury. Furthermore, the psychological correlates associated with IPV were similar for men and women, and perpetrators and victims. Individuals with a history of IPV were more controlling, hostile towards others, more condoning of IPV, employed less positive communication styles, and lacked skills for dealing with conflict. In light of these findings, suggestions are offered for violence prevention initiatives in the discussion sections of each chapter and in the final chapter (Chapter 9).

Marital rape is not a criminal offence in Kenya. This thesis argues that criminalization of marital rape in Kenya is a necessary but insufficient means of addressing marital rape. I shall analyze the Kenyan legal framework and the international framework. The analysis of the international framework shall be focused on the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). I shall undertake a comparative analysis of how South Africa and Zimbabwe have addressed marital rape. I will examine the benefits and limitations of criminal law in addressing marital rape. I will argue that an examination of the wrongful gender stereotypes of married women is essential to create effective and holistic remedies; that wrongful gender stereotypes of married women violate their rights to equality and non-discrimination and the right to be free from violence.

Marital rape is not a criminal offence in Kenya. This thesis argues that criminalization of marital rape in Kenya is a necessary but insufficient means of addressing marital rape. I shall analyze the Kenyan legal framework and the international framework. The analysis of the international framework shall be focused on the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). I shall undertake a comparative analysis of how South Africa and Zimbabwe have addressed marital rape. I will examine the benefits and limitations of criminal law in addressing marital rape. I will argue that an examination of the wrongful gender stereotypes of married women is essential to create effective and holistic remedies; that wrongful gender stereotypes of married women violate their rights to equality and non-discrimination and the right to be free from violence.

This study examines the role that marital attributions may play in the relationship between the occurrence of stressful life events and marital quality. Specifically, it is suggested that within a crisis theory framework, the meaning couples attribute to stressful events may either mediate or moderate the impact of stressors on the marital relationship. First, several models of stress adaptation in families and marriages are discussed. Next, current research on marital attributions is reviewed, and problems with this field of research are explored. Finally, the possible role of marital attributions in stress adaptation is examined. A total of 60 married couples completed measures on current life stressors, marital quality, and marital attributions. The mediational model failed to find support due to the lack of a strong relationship between life stressors and marital attributions. Partial support for the moderational model was found. These results can be interpreted as indicating that the marital quality of couples who make relationship-enhancing attributions about their spouses' negative behaviors is less negatively affected by stress than those who make distress-maintaining attributions. Findings concurrent with the literature on resilience suggest that the experience of life stressors may afford an opportunity for a couple's marriage to strengthen if adaptive marital attributions are used. Differences in the moderational role of marital attributions between men and women and stress adaptation literature suggest future avenues of research.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 294-307). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-68).