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The purpose of this study was to compare couples in different phases of marriage with the primary goal of contributing to our understanding of marital quality throughout the life span. Rusbult's investment theory (Rusbult, 1980, 1983; Rusbult & Buunk, 1993), which predicts specific outcomes concerning relationship satisfaction, commitment, and stability, served as the guiding theory behind this effort. Assumptions derived from the theory were tested with couples in three distinct phases of marriage selected from the first wave of the National Survey of Families and Households (Sweet, Bumpass, & Call, 1988). Short-term couples consisted of husbands and wives married between 4 and 6 years, intermediate couples consisted of those married between 20 and 25 years, and long-term couples consisted of those married 45 years or more. Couples were compared with regard to four specific aspects of their relationships: conflict frequency, conflict resolution, satisfaction, and perceptions of the quality of alternatives to their current marriages. Data generated from spouses' averaged scores were analyzed using a series of one-way ANOVAs and paired t-tests. Results from this sample of respondents clearly revealed that long-term couples engaged in less conflict, utilized different conflict resolution strategies, were more satisfied with their marriages, and perceived alternatives to their relationships as less favorable than younger couples. In addition, when husbands' and wives' scores on the above measures were compared, long-term couples exhibited fewer differences than younger couples. Findings from this study are discussed in light of existing research and theory. / Ph. D.

This study attempts to extend the existing literature about gratitude in the on-going relationship of married couples, and examined the dynamics thereof involved. N=100 dyads in Hong Kong were interviewed at three time points. T1 measures indicated that dispositional gratitude could predict not only the grateful mood one experienced in the past seven days but also the grateful mood one perceived from his/ her spouse. Both measures of grateful mood had similar actor and partner effects on the husbands' as well as wives' marital satisfaction. Between them, perceived mood of spouse was the stronger predictor, taking up virtually all the shared variance in explaining marital satisfaction. Longitudinal measures across the three time points showed that grateful mood of both spouses could be increased by about equal degrees via one of two interventions: having one of them keeping a private gratitude journal, or overtly expressing gratitude to the other. But the resulting changes in marital satisfaction differed for the actors (who assumed the role of beneficiaries) and their partners. Specifically, two moderators were identified: partners who judged their spouses' gratitude expressions as less sincere declined in their martial satisfaction, whereas, contrary to past research findings, actors who felt more obliged to their spouse became happier about their marriage. The results suggested involvement of different mechanisms for spouses on the two sides of the gratitude equation, and that feelings of obligation could be a protective factor in intimate relationships. The implications for research and counseling were discussed. / Leong, Lai Ting Joyce. / Adviser: Helene Fung. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-11, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 71-81). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.

Existing literature and much of the research on marriage and family experiences have been largely and commonly problem-based and deficit-oriented. Even though some strength-focused approaches to the study of marriages and families have been undertaken and have gained momentum there is still much empirical work needed in order for us to understand the complexity and intricacies of what constitutes a quality marital relationship. In this qualitative research study, I analysed how quality of marriage is conceptualised and understood by Malays within a Malaysian context. I undertook the research in order to capture and understand how a cohort of Malay people understand and give meaning to the concept of 'good quality marital relationship'. Research studies on marital quality in Malay culture are very limited and numerically at least, they compare poorly to western scholarly output on this subject. Even though much contemporary marriage literature refers to the importance of gaining an appreciation of cultural issues related to marriage and family, there is a real need for more cross-cultural research. In examining Malay concepts of quality marriage I not only address a culturally-specific research need but attempt to use this to advance cultural sensitivity among relevant policy makers, practitioners, researchers and members of the public. In this research, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in the Kubang Pasu district, in Kedah, one of the northern states of Malaysia with forty-five participants across different socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds. In what is an exploratory study I adopted a combination of maximum variation and purposive sampling and utilised a grounded theory framework to underpin the analysis. The data were analysed using both rigorous manual coding and NVivo qualitative software.

This investigation examines some of the potential underlying processes and factors associated with marital stability. Two studies were guided by Karney and Bradbury's vulnerability-stress-adaptation (VSA) model of marital development. Variables examined included negative affectivity, educational attainment, work and family stressors, conflict resolution styles, mutual problem solving, marital satisfaction, personal commitment, and divorce proneness. Study one used an existing data set consisting of 194 married couples and tested a part of the VSA model. Results indicate that high negative affectivity is associated with the endorsement of negatively toned conflict styles. In comparison to husbands, wives' negative affectivity and use of negatively toned conflict styles were found to be more detrimental to marital quality in general. Conflict resolution styles were able to explain the relationship between negative affectivity and marital quality for husbands more so than wives. Study two examined 186 newly married couples and tested additional paths of the VSA. The enduring vulnerability, negative affectivity, played a significant role in wives' and husbands' perceived stress and lower marital quality. Marital quality was significantly associated with how spouses personally communicated with their spouses about problems and concerns. Additionally, mutual problem solving was related to increased levels of stress for wives and husbands. There were partner effects for husbands' mutual problem solving on wives' perceived stress, but not vice versa. Last, mutual problem solving significantly mediated some of the relationships between enduring vulnerabilities, stressful events, and marital quality. Both studies highlight the impact communication processes have on a dyadic level in marital relationships. These findings will allow scholars, clinicians, and married individuals to further understand some of the factors and processes that contribute to dyadic adjustment and stable marriages.

Submitted by William Justo Figueiro (williamjf) on 2015-07-08T21:11:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 05b.pdf: 843383 bytes, checksum: ad31ac245c0f307284141b2af3e4a512 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-08T21:11:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 05b.pdf: 843383 bytes, checksum: ad31ac245c0f307284141b2af3e4a512 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04 / Nenhuma / O dinheiro e seu manejo são assuntos que vêm ganhando importância nas pesquisas acadêmicas, considerando o fato de que o dinheiro é um objeto presente nas mais diversas relações do nosso cotidiano, e, inevitavelmente, também presente nas relações conjugais. Nesse sentido, os artigos que compõem esta dissertação abrangem a temática do dinheiro, tendo como objetivos analisar o manejo do dinheiro pelos casais e investigar a relação do manejo do dinheiro com a qualidade conjugal. Participaram desses estudos 143 casais, casados oficialmente ou morando juntos, moradores da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre. O estudo utilizou abordagem quantitativa, tendo como instrumentos um questionário sóciodemográfico, um questionário do manejo do dinheiro, a Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) e o Golombok Rust Inventory of Marital State (GRIMS). Os conflitos apontados pela literatura em relação ao manejo do dinheiro pelos casais, não ficaram evidentes nessa amostra. Todavia, verificou-se que, diferente dos estudos anteriores, não somente a forma com que os casais manejam o dinheiro, mas também o status financeiro dos mesmos estiveram relacionados com os conflitos sobre o dinheiro, uma vez que observou-se que quanto maior a renda, menor a possibilidade de infidelidade financeira (r= -0,131; p= 0,045). Além disso, verificou-se que os casais que mantinham um sistema de gerenciamento compartilhado do dinheiro foram aqueles que obtiveram maiores níveis de qualidade conjugal. Esses casais também apresentaram maior grau de felicidade com o relacionamento e maior nível de concordância em relação às finanças. Os resultados desse estudo corroboram com estudos anteriores, confirmando que o manejo do dinheiro afeta a qualidade conjugal. / Money and its management are issues that have been gaining importance in academic research, considering the fact that money is an object present in several of our everyday relationships, and inevitably also present in marital relations. Accordingly, the items that make up this dissertation cover the topic of money, aiming to analyze the management of money for couples and investigate the relationship of managing money with marital quality. Participants in these studies 143 couples officially married or living together, residents of the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre. The study used a quantitative approach, as instruments sociodemographic a questionnaire, a questionnaire of managing money, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and the Golombok Rust Inventory of Marital State (GRIMS). The conflicts mentioned in the literature regarding the handling of money by couples, were not evident in this sample. However, it was found that, unlike previous studies, not only the shape with which couples handle money, but also the financial status of these were related to the conflict over money, since it was observed that the higher the income, the lower the possibility of financial infidelity (r = -0.131, p = 0.045). Furthermore, it was found that couples who maintained a system of shared management of money were those who had higher levels of marital quality. These couples also had a greater degree of happiness with the relationship and greater level of agreement about finances. The results of this study concur with previous studies, confirming that the management of money affects marital quality.

The SMART Florida project was implemented in five strategically identified counties across Florida (i.e., Santa Rosa, Duval, Manatee, Citrus, Palm Beach). These counties are representative of the breadth and depth of Florida’s rural and urban residents geographically, ethnically, and socioeconomically. A broad array of comprehensive research- and evidence-informed SMART and community partner (CP) programs, services, and resources that address the social, emotional, and economic stability needs and well-being of low-income individuals, couples, and at-risk youth in the identified geographic locations is being provided at two levels of integration (Level I: Information Dissemination; Level II: Training) during the duration of the grant to assist highly supported, trained, and networked County UF/IFAS Extension Agents and their community partners to strengthen marriages, relationships, and families among Florida residents across ethnicities and income levels in four statutory activity areas: 1) Education in High Schools (Activity I); 2) Premarital Education (Activity II); 3) Marriage and Relationship Education/Skills (MRES) (Activity III); and, 4) Marriage Enhancement (Marriage and Remarriage) (Activity IV). At-risk youth, those preparing for marriage, married and remarried couples, parents, and active military and veteran couples with a particular focus on participants who are vulnerable to low-income, low-resource, substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence and child abuse issues are some of the special interest target populations served through the SMART Florida project. Implications and outcomes from Year 2 of the grant cycle will be discussed. Relationship quality and satisfaction among couples has been a topic of interest for decades, with the 1970s marking the initiation of a dramatic expansion of research in this area. The 1970’s also saw the beginning of what was to become a continuing decline in marital quality and satisfaction among first-time married couples (Amato, Johnson, Booth, & Rogers, 2003; Schramm & Harris, 2010). This interest in dyadic couple relationship quality was likely driven by the expanding awareness that quality of marital relationships influences a broad range of positive and negative outcomes; healthy, satisfying marriages provide numerous benefits important to individuals and society, while marital dissolution has a profoundly negative effect (Amato, 2010; Cowan & Cowan, 2005; Harris, Schramm, Marshall, & Lee, 2012; Schramm & Harris, 2010). Furthermore, subjective levels of marital quality and satisfaction are predictive of both marital stability and marital dissolution (Gottman, 1994; Gottman & Notarius, 2000). Family fragmentation costs state and local taxpayers in Florida almost two billion dollars per year in forgone tax revenues, justice system expenses, TANF, Medicaid, SCHIP, and Child Welfare program expenditures. The purpose of this study was to assess associations between relationship quality and satisfaction, intimate partner consensus, and relevant contextual factors among married and unmarried cohabiting couples in a general sample of Floridians (n=1002). This study constitutes an initial baseline study of dyadic couple trends in Florida’s Northwest, North, West Coast, East Coast, and South regions and is the precursor to research currently being conducted over the next five years through a federal healthy marriages and relationships grant. Results indicate that variability in relationship quality is best explained by patterns of negative interaction, consensus, and context respectively. Specific implications for use of relationship education as an intervention in Florida are proposed.

This study compared the relationships among respite care, uplifts, stress, and marital quality across two different groups of caregivers' 102 heterosexual married couples with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 111 heterosexual married couples with children with Down syndrome (DS). This study also investigated if the effect of respite care on stress and marital quality varied as a function of the amount of uplifts these caregivers experienced. Participants completed self-report surveys. Three two-group Actor Partner Interdependence Models were estimated to calculate the direct, indirect, and partner-effects among these variables. Respite care was not related to stress for either groups of parents, but it was positively associated with husband and wife marital quality for parents of children with ASD. Uplifts were negatively associated with stress and positively associated with marital quality for both husbands and wives with children with ASD, but only for wives with children with DS. Furthermore, when husbands and wives with children with ASD reported more weekly respite hours and daily uplifts, wives tended to report more daily stress. However, as husbands and wives reported less weekly respite care and more daily uplifts, wives tended to report less daily stress. Implications for these findings are discussed.

Using data from 617 Vietnam-era veterans, this study aimed to better understand the relationships between depression symptoms, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and overall marital quality. Results indicated that depression symptoms and PTSS each had a negative relationship with marital quality when considered individually. The association between depression symptoms and marital quality persisted when PTSS was accounted for. However, the significant association between PTSS and marital quality dropped out. Further, PTSS did not moderate the association between depression symptoms and marital quality. The current study suggests tha tdepression symptoms and PTSS overlap in relation to marital quality among Vietnam-era veterans, with depression symptoms playing a major role. Future research should address samples across various age groups, different war campaigns, and among veterans with higher levels of clinical distress.

Parents of a child with a disability are at greater risk than other couples for having higher stress, adjustment difficulties, and lower marital quality. Respite care has been shown to reduce stress in parents of children with disabilities. This study focused on parents who have a child with Down syndrome and their reported marital quality and respite care received. One hundred and twelve couples, each consisting of a mother and a father who lived with their child with Down syndrome, completed questionnaires including the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Experience in Close Relationships Questionnaire, Daily Hassles and Uplifts Scale, and a respite questionnaire. Results were mixed. Respite care did not predict marital quality for either wives or husbands. However, respite hours was related to wife stress, which was in turn related to wife marital quality. Respite hours was also related to husband stress, which was related to husband marital quality. In addition, wife uplifts was directly related to wife marital quality and to husband marital quality. Husband uplifts was related to husband marital quality. While not directly predicting marital quality, respite care was indirectly related to increases in marital quality through stress. Therefore, it is important that respite care be accessible and provided to parents who have a child with Down syndrome. Recommendations for policy makers and researchers are offered.