Cette thèse avait pour but premier d’évaluer la douleur chronique endométriosique et ses concomitants (dépression, anxiété et stress), les conséquences de la douleur sur le physique, les activités et le travail, sur la relation maritale et les séquelles sur la qualité de vie chez des participantes souffrant de douleurs pelviennes chroniques diagnostiquées endométriose (laparoscopie). En deuxième lieu, il s’agissait d’évaluer et de comparer l’efficacité des techniques psychologiques de contrôle de la douleur (Hypnose, Cognitif-behavioral) en ajout aux traitements médicaux à un groupe contrôle (Attention thérapeute). L’échantillon était composé de 60 femmes réparties aléatoirement soit à l’un des deux groupes de traitement ou au groupe contrôle. Les instruments de mesure étaient tous des questionnaires déjà traduits en français et validés pour la population francophone québécoise. Des tests du khi-carré ont été effectués pour les variables nominales et des analyses de variances (ANOVA) ont été faites pour les variables continues. Dans des modèles ANOVA estimant l’effet du traitement, du temps et de leur interaction, une différence significative (effet de Groupe ou traitement) a été trouvée pour les variables suivantes : Douleur (McGill :composante évaluative p = 0.02), au moment « présent » de l’Échelle visuelle analogique (EVA, p = 0.05) et dans l’Échelle de Qualité de vie (douleur, p = 0,03) ainsi qu’à la dimension Fonctionnement social de cette dernière échelle (SF-36; p = 0,04). En comparant les données en pré et post-traitement, des résultats significatifs au niveau du Temps ont aussi été mis en évidence pour les variables suivantes : Douleur McGill: Score total, (p = 0,03), Affective (p = 0,04), Évaluative (p = 0,01); Douleur (ÉVA) moment Fort (p < 0,0005), Dépression (p = 0,005), Anxiété (situationnelle/état (p = 0,002), Anxiété/trait (p < 0,001), Stress (p = 0, 003) ainsi que pour quatre composantes de la Qualité de vie (Fonctionnement social, (p = 0,05), Vitalité (p = 0,002), Douleur, (p = 0,003) et Changement de la santé (p < 0,001) et ceci pour les trois groupes à l’exception du groupe Hypnose sur cette dernière variable. Des effets d’Interaction (Groupe X Temps) sont ressortis sur les variables « Conséquences physiques » de la douleur mais sur la dimension « Activités » seulement (p = 0,02), sur l’anxiété situationnelle (État : p = 0,007). Un effet d’interaction se rapprochant de la signification (p = 0,08) a aussi été analysé pour la variable Fonctionnement social (SF-36). L’étude montre une légère supériorité quant au traitement Cognitif-behavioral pour l’anxiété situationnelle, pour le Fonctionnement social et pour la douleur mesurée par le SF-36. L’étude présente des forces (groupe homogène, essai clinique prospectif, répartition aléatoire des participantes et groupe contrôle) mais aussi des lacunes (faible échantillon et biais potentiels reliés à l’expérimentateur et à l’effet placebo). Toute future étude devrait tenir compte de biais potentiels quant au nombre d’expérimentateur et inclure un groupe placebo spécifique aux études à caractère psychologique. Une future étude devrait évaluer le schème cognitif « catastrophisation » impliqué dans la douleur, les traits de personnalité des participantes ainsi que le rôle du conjoint. De plus, des techniques psychologiques (entrevues motivationnelles) récentes utilisées dans plusieurs études devraient aussi être prises en considérations. Tout de même des résultats significatifs offrent des pistes intéressantes pour un essai clinique comportant un échantillon plus élevé et pour un suivi à long terme. / The goal of the study was twofold. The first objective was to assess chronic endometriotic pain and its psychological dimensions (depression, anxiety, stress), and the consequences on the marital adjustment, and quality of life on women diagnosed with endometriosis by laparoscopy. The second objective was to compare two psychological treatments with a control group (no active treatment). Sixty women were randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups (Hypnosis, Cognitive-behavioural) or to the control group (Therapist Attention). All measures were valid and the French translation had been adapted for the Quebec population. The statistical analysis were the Chi-square for nominal measures and ANOVAS for the continuous variables. ANOVAS’s model estimate Treatment effect, Time effect and Interaction Group X Time. Both interventions (Group effect) were significantly positive for the pain dimension on the McGill questionnaire but on the Evaluative dimension only (p = 0,02), pain on “present” time on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, p = 0,05), pain in the Quality of life scale (SF-36, p = 0,03), and on Social functioning dimension measured by SF-36 (p = 0,04). When comparing data following treatment (post-treatment) with the baseline measures (pre-testing), Time effect occurred for the three groups on following variables: pain (McGill): Total score (p = 0, 03), Affective (p = 0, 04), Evaluative (p = 0,01), pain measured by a Visual analogue scale (VAS) at the Highest level (p < 0,0005), on Depression (p = 0,005), for State anxiety (p = 0,002), and Trait Anxiety (p < 0,001), on Stress (p = 0,003), and on four dimensions on the Quality of Life’s scale (SF-36): Social functioning (p = 0, 05), Vitality (p = 0,002), Pain (p = 0,003), and Health change (p < 0,001) where the group Hypnosis seems to do better for the last variable. Interaction effect (Group X Time) were statistically significant for dimension Activities in the Physical pain (SF-36, p = 0,02), and on State Anxiety (p = 0,007). Interaction effect close to statistically significant results (p = 0,08) on Social functioning (SF-36) has also been analyze. In this study, all group showed a comparable reduction of pain at the end of treatment, and an increase level of activities in the Cognitive-behavioural group. For the secondary variables the statistical results went in the same direction as the primary variable (pain). The level of depression, anxiety, and stress decreased with time for all groups. The study also showed a mild superiority of the Cognitive-behavioural treatment on State anxiety, Social functioning, and on Pain measured by the SF-36. Statistical analysis didn’t show any change for the marital situation. Quality of life showed positive results on four scales only (social functioning, vitality, pain and perception change in health). The study presents strengths (homogenous group, prospective study, control group and randomisation) and some weaknesses (small number of participants, potential bias with one interviewer, and absence of placebo group). Even so, statistically significant results emerge and are promising for new studies with a higher number of subjects. We also recommend a long time follow-up. Future studies should take into account a distorted cognitive schema (catastrophization), personality traits well documented in chronic pain syndrome, and spouse’s role. We also recommend the use of “Motivational Interview” recently described in the literature.

Adopting the Ecological Contextual Model of Acculturation and Adjustment (Birman, 1994; Trickett, 1996) and the Stress and Coping paradigm (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984, 1986, 1991), the present thesis explored the psycho-social, work, and marital adjustment of 200 established older middle-aged refugees from the Former Yugoslavia living in the Ottawa area. More specifically, three studies were conducted to examine specific stressors and resources of relevance to the adjustment of Former Yugoslavian men and women, across the following three distinct life domains: psycho-social, work, and marital. Study I explored the potential buffering effects of interpersonal trust on the relational growth of Former Yugoslavian refugees. Results demonstrated that interpersonal trust moderated the negative effects of war-related trauma on the relational growth of Former Yugoslavian women. No such buffering effect was found for the men. Study II investigated Former Yugoslavians' work adjustment by exploring the influence of pre-migratory work-related expectations-outcome congruence, occupational mobility, work stress (general and discrimination), as well as personal (education, English language proficiency) and social resources (support at work) on their work satisfaction and distress. Results indicated that different factors emerged as significant predictors of work satisfaction and work distress for Former Yugoslavian men and women. Study III explored the potential moderating role of marital resilience on the relationship between marital stress (general and acculturative) and marital adjustment. Results showed that marital resilience moderated the negative effects of marital stress on the marital adjustment of Former Yugoslavian women. No protective effect of marital resilience was found for the men. Taken together, the results of the three studies provide support for the relevance and importance of studying the stress, resources, and adjustment of refugees across contexts and gender. Given that important gender differences were found in different adaptational domains, the need to study further the impact of gender in refugees is reinforced. The findings are discussed within the current gender and migration literatures as well as the multidimensional theories of cross-cultural adjustment. Theoretical, research, and clinical implications were presented, along with recommendations for future research.

Adopting the Ecological Contextual Model of Acculturation and Adjustment (Birman, 1994; Trickett, 1996) and the Stress and Coping paradigm (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984, 1986, 1991), the present thesis explored the psycho-social, work, and marital adjustment of 200 established older middle-aged refugees from the Former Yugoslavia living in the Ottawa area. More specifically, three studies were conducted to examine specific stressors and resources of relevance to the adjustment of Former Yugoslavian men and women, across the following three distinct life domains: psycho-social, work, and marital. Study I explored the potential buffering effects of interpersonal trust on the relational growth of Former Yugoslavian refugees. Results demonstrated that interpersonal trust moderated the negative effects of war-related trauma on the relational growth of Former Yugoslavian women. No such buffering effect was found for the men. Study II investigated Former Yugoslavians' work adjustment by exploring the influence of pre-migratory work-related expectations-outcome congruence, occupational mobility, work stress (general and discrimination), as well as personal (education, English language proficiency) and social resources (support at work) on their work satisfaction and distress. Results indicated that different factors emerged as significant predictors of work satisfaction and work distress for Former Yugoslavian men and women. Study III explored the potential moderating role of marital resilience on the relationship between marital stress (general and acculturative) and marital adjustment. Results showed that marital resilience moderated the negative effects of marital stress on the marital adjustment of Former Yugoslavian women. No protective effect of marital resilience was found for the men. Taken together, the results of the three studies provide support for the relevance and importance of studying the stress, resources, and adjustment of refugees across contexts and gender. Given that important gender differences were found in different adaptational domains, the need to study further the impact of gender in refugees is reinforced. The findings are discussed within the current gender and migration literatures as well as the multidimensional theories of cross-cultural adjustment. Theoretical, research, and clinical implications were presented, along with recommendations for future research.

Adopting the Ecological Contextual Model of Acculturation and Adjustment (Birman, 1994; Trickett, 1996) and the Stress and Coping paradigm (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984, 1986, 1991), the present thesis explored the psycho-social, work, and marital adjustment of 200 established older middle-aged refugees from the Former Yugoslavia living in the Ottawa area. More specifically, three studies were conducted to examine specific stressors and resources of relevance to the adjustment of Former Yugoslavian men and women, across the following three distinct life domains: psycho-social, work, and marital. Study I explored the potential buffering effects of interpersonal trust on the relational growth of Former Yugoslavian refugees. Results demonstrated that interpersonal trust moderated the negative effects of war-related trauma on the relational growth of Former Yugoslavian women. No such buffering effect was found for the men. Study II investigated Former Yugoslavians' work adjustment by exploring the influence of pre-migratory work-related expectations-outcome congruence, occupational mobility, work stress (general and discrimination), as well as personal (education, English language proficiency) and social resources (support at work) on their work satisfaction and distress. Results indicated that different factors emerged as significant predictors of work satisfaction and work distress for Former Yugoslavian men and women. Study III explored the potential moderating role of marital resilience on the relationship between marital stress (general and acculturative) and marital adjustment. Results showed that marital resilience moderated the negative effects of marital stress on the marital adjustment of Former Yugoslavian women. No protective effect of marital resilience was found for the men. Taken together, the results of the three studies provide support for the relevance and importance of studying the stress, resources, and adjustment of refugees across contexts and gender. Given that important gender differences were found in different adaptational domains, the need to study further the impact of gender in refugees is reinforced. The findings are discussed within the current gender and migration literatures as well as the multidimensional theories of cross-cultural adjustment. Theoretical, research, and clinical implications were presented, along with recommendations for future research.

This study is on the influence of Biblical teaching and church participation on marital commitment and adjustment of Evangelical intercultural couples of Filipinas with North American Caucasian husbands. The project is based on literature research and fieldwork. Consideration was given to literature on intercultural marriage, Biblical theology on intercultural marriage, and on pertinent Philippine and North American mainstream cultural values. The sample in the field research consists of 23 couples. Each spouse was interviewed by phone for one hour. Thus, 46 one-hour interviews were conducted that included assessment of demographic and church activity data; levels of the couples' marital commitment and adjustment, and a personal interview. The study found that Biblical teaching functioned as a constraining force against divorce, as the principle for unconditional sacrificial love, and as a guiding principle in dealing with differences and adjustments. It was the foundation on which the couples attempted to establish common values for their marriage life. Joint church participation that is adequate gave them a sense of extended family; a sense of being rooted and belonging together as a couple and their children; and spiritual nurture. It helped establish a common Evangelical Christian identity, regardless of their diverse cultures or previous religious backgrounds. The study also points to potential improvements for churches in ministering to intercultural couples. / PRACTICAL THEOLOGY / DTH (PRACTICAL THEOLOGY)

Aquest estudi examina les relacions entre la dinàmica familiar, ajustament diàdic conjugal i vincle parental dels joves-adults drogoadictes i no drogoaddictes des del model sistèmic. Per aquesta raó, l’objectiu principal d’aquest estudi és per una banda, determinar si existeix diferències estadísticament significatives entre el grup experimental i el grup control quant a les variables a estudiar. I per l’altra, valorar la importància del paper de la família tant el camp de la prevenció com en el tractament de les drogodependències. Per fer-ho, s’ha utilitzat tres instruments: la FACES III d’Olson i col•l (1985) per mesurar la dinàmica familiar, la DAS de Spanier i col•l (1976) per avaluar l’ajustament diàdic conjugal i el PBI de Parker i col•l (1979) per avaluar el vincle parental. Els resultats indiquen existeix diferències estadísticament significatives entre el grup experimental i el grup control quant a dinàmica familiar. Concretament, la majoria dels joves-adults drogoaddictes perceben una dinàmica familiar estructuralment desvinculada, seguida per la rígidament desvinculada, que dins el model Circumplex d’Olson correspon al tipus de família extrema o moderada, respectivament. Quant al grup control, la majoria de joves-adults no drogoaddictes perceben una dinàmica familiar estructuralment separada, flexiblement separada o connectada; i dins del model Circumplex, correspon al tipus de família equilibrada. Quant a la percepció de l’ajustament diàdic conjugal, destacar que no s’han trobat diferències estadísticament significatives entre els pares i les mares del grup experimental com els pares i les mares del grup control. Finalment, quant al vincle parental, assenyalar que la majoria de joves-adults drogoaddictes perceben un vincle de control sense afecte contràriament als joves del grup control, dels quals la majoria perceben un vincle òptim tant al grup de mares com de pares. La conclusió final ha estat que aquest estudi demostra la importància del paper de la família tant en el camp de la prevenció com en el camp de la intervenció. / Este estudio examina las relaciones entre la dinámica familiar, ajustamiento diádico conyugal y vínculo parental de los jóvenes-adultos drogadictos y no drogadictos desde el modelo sistémico. Por esta razón, el objetivo principal de este estudio es por un lado, determinar si existe diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el grupo experimental y el grupo control con relación a las variables a estudiar. Y por otro lado, valorar a importancia del papel de la familia tanto en el campo de la prevención como en el tratamiento de las drogodependencias. Para llevarlo a cabo, se ha utilizado tres instrumentos: la FACES III de Olson y al. (1985) para medir la dinámica familiar, la DAS de Spanier y al. (1976) para medir el ajustamiento diádico conyugal y el PBI y at. (1979) para medir el vínculo parental. Los resultados indican que existe diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el grupo experimental y el grupo control en cuanto a dinámica familiar. Concretamente, la mayoría de los jóvenes-adultos drogadictos perciben una dinámica familiar estructuralmente desvinculada, seguida por la rígidamente desvinculada, que dentro del modelo Circumplejo de Olson corresponde al tipo de familia extrema o moderada, respectivamente. En cuanto al grupo control, la mayoría de jóvenes-adultos no drogadictos perciben una dinámica familiar estructuralmente separada, flexiblemente separada o conectada; y dentro del modelo Circumplejo, corresponde al tipo de familia equilibrada. Con relación al ajustamiento diádico conyugal, destacar que no se ha hallado diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los padres y las madres del grupo experimental como los padres y las madres del grupo control. Finalmente, en cuanto al vínculo parental, destacar que la mayoría de jóvenes-adultos drogadictos perciben un vínculo de control sin afecto contrariamente a los jóvenes-adultos del grupo control, que la mayoría perciben un vínculo óptimo tanto en el grupo de madres como de padres. La conclusión final que se ha llegado ha estado que este estudio demuestra la importancia del papel de la familia tanto en el campo de la prevención como en el campo de la intervención. / This study examines the relationship between family dynamics, dyadic marital adjustment, and parental bonding in young-adult drug addicts and non-drug addicts from a systemic model. In this sense, the main aim of this study is, on the one hand, to determine whether there are significant differences between the experimental group and the control group with regards to the variables to be studied; and, on the other hand, to assess the importance of the family role both in the field of prevention and in drug addiction treatments. Three measures have been used: FACES III by Olson et al. (1985) to assess family dynamics; DAS by Spanier et al. (1976) to assess dyadic marital adjustment; and PBI by Parker et al. (1979) to assess parental bonding. Results show that there are statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group as regards family dynamics. Particularly, most young-adult drug addicts perceive their family dynamics as structurally detached, followed by strictly detached, which in Olson's Circumplex model corresponds to the extreme or moderate family type, respectively. As for the control group, most young-adult non-drug addicts perceive their family dynamics as structurally separated, flexibly separated or connected; which, according to Olson's Circumplex model corresponds to the balanced family type. With regards to the perception of dyadic marital adjustment, there are no statistically significant differences between fathers and mothers in the experimental group, as in the case of fathers and mothers in the control group. Finally, concerning parental bonding, most young-adult drug addicts perceive their parental bonds as affectionless control, whereas the young subjects in the control group perceive theirs as optimum both in the group of mothers and in the group of fathers. The final conclusion is that this study shows the importance of the family role both in the field of prevention and in the field of intervention.

This study is on the influence of Biblical teaching and church participation on marital commitment and adjustment of Evangelical intercultural couples of Filipinas with North American Caucasian husbands. The project is based on literature research and fieldwork. Consideration was given to literature on intercultural marriage, Biblical theology on intercultural marriage, and on pertinent Philippine and North American mainstream cultural values. The sample in the field research consists of 23 couples. Each spouse was interviewed by phone for one hour. Thus, 46 one-hour interviews were conducted that included assessment of demographic and church activity data; levels of the couples' marital commitment and adjustment, and a personal interview. The study found that Biblical teaching functioned as a constraining force against divorce, as the principle for unconditional sacrificial love, and as a guiding principle in dealing with differences and adjustments. It was the foundation on which the couples attempted to establish common values for their marriage life. Joint church participation that is adequate gave them a sense of extended family; a sense of being rooted and belonging together as a couple and their children; and spiritual nurture. It helped establish a common Evangelical Christian identity, regardless of their diverse cultures or previous religious backgrounds. The study also points to potential improvements for churches in ministering to intercultural couples. / PRACTICAL THEOLOGY / DTH (PRACTICAL THEOLOGY)

AFRIKAANS: In hierdie navorsing is die huwelik met voorskoolse kinders in Suid-Afrika aan die begin van die een-en-twintigste eeu ondersoek. Hierdie huweliksfase, met sy vele uitdagings en huwelikstake, word beskou as die fase met die laagste huweliksaanpassing en die hoogste voorkoms van egskeiding. Die sin en betekenis van hierdie uitdagings (spirituele intelligensie of SQ), sowel as die emosionele belewenis, verstaan en hantering hiervan (emosionele intelligensie of EQ), asook die rol wat dit in huweliksaanpassing speel, is ondersoek. Eerstens is ’n vraelys ontwikkel wat SQ-eienskappe kan meet (MMV-SQ-vraelys), naamlik: (i) die vind van sin en betekenis in ’n gegewe situasie, (ii) motiveringsbronne van gedrag, en (iii) die waardes wat uitgeleef word. Data van 198 respondente het gedui op betroubaarheid van subskale wat wissel van 0.47 tot 0.80. Bevredigende konstrukgeldigheid is verkry deur die verhouding tussen die subskale van die SQ-vraelys en waardeskaal te ondersoek (r het gevarieer van 0.15; p ≤ 0.05 tot 0.54; p ≤ 0.01). Sowel kwantitatiewe as kwalitatiewe navorsing is vervolgens gebruik. In die kwantitatiewe navorsing is die MMV-SQ-vraelys, die huweliks-aanpassingsvraelys van Spanier (Dyadic Adjustment Scale), asook die SSRI (Schutte Self-Report Inventory) op 84 deelnemers toegepas. Die deelnemers het 84 getroude persone, waaronder 34 egpare ingesluit. Die verband tussen huweliksaanpassing en EQ is ondersoek deur korrelasies te bereken tussen die subskale van die DAS en SSRI. Dit het geblyk dat ʼn optimistiese gemoedstemming ʼn verband toon met al die subskale van huweliksaanpassing. Die herkenning van die eie en die huweliksmaat se gevoelens, sosiale vaardighede, en die toepassing van emosies blyk verband te hou met hoër huwelikstevredenheid asook huwelikskonsensus. Sosiale vaardighede het ook ʼn verband getoon met affeksionele uitdrukking. EQ het egter nie ’n sterk verband met huwelikskohesie getoon nie. Die verband tussen die subskale van die DAS is vervolgens vergelyk met dié van die MMV-SQ-vraelys. Betekenisvolle korrelasies tussen enkele skale van huweliksaanpassing en SQ het voorgekom, veral wat die motiveringskaal betref: egpaarlede wie se gedrag deur die motiveringsbron bemeestering gemotiveer word, blyk ʼn hoër mate van huweliksaanpassing te hê, terwyl die negatiewe motiveringsbronne, waaronder selfgesentreerdheid, drange en vrees, ’n negatiewe verband met huweliksaanpassing toon. Min verbande is egter gevind tussen huweliksaanpassing, en sin en betekenis (wel tussen meditatiewe bewustheid en huwelikskonsensus, asook tussen empatiese aanvaarding en openheid, en affeksionele ekspressie). Geen verbande is ten opsigte van waardes gevind nie. Verskille tussen mans en vroue se EQ en SQ is ook ondersoek, maar geen groot verskille is verkry nie. Deur ’n meervoudige regressie is enkele verdere biografiese veranderlikes geïdentifiseer wat ʼn verband met huweliksaanpassing toon. In die kwalitatiewe navorsing is verskeie aspekte ondersoek en bespreek: die rolverdeling ten opsigte van kinderopvoeding en huistake, die balans tussen beroep en gesin, persoonlike tevredenheid (SQ) in die huwelik, asook die begrip en hantering van gevoelens (EQ). Die waarde van hierdie navorsing lê veral in die grondleggingswerk van die SQ-vraelys, asook bruikbare inligting ten opsigte van die huwelik met voorskoolse kinders in Suid-Afrika. Leiding aan egpare in die hantering van gevoelens (EQ), asook insig in hulle motiveringsbronne (SQ) behoort dus hulle huweliksaanpassing te verhoog. ENGLISH: In this research, the South-African marriage with preschool children was investigated. This phase of marriage, full of challenges and marital tasks, is regarded showing the lowest degree of marital adjustment and the highest incidence of divorce. The meaning, (spiritual intelligence or SQ), emotional experience, understanding and dealing with these challenges (emotional intelligence or EQ), as well as the relation to marital adjustment, were investigated. Firstly, a questionnaire was developed that could measure the characteristics of SQ, namely: (i) finding purpose and meaning in a given situation, (ii) motivations of behaviour, and (iii) values. Data from 198 respondents indicated the reliability of the subscales, which vary from 0.47 to 0.80. Satisfactory construct validity was obtained by researching the relation between the subscales of the SQ questionnaire and the value scale (r varied from 0.15; p ≤ 0.05 to 0.54; p ≤ 0.01). Next, both qualitative and quantitative research were utilised. In the quantitative research, the MMV SQ questionnaire, the marital adjustment questionnaire of Spanier (Dyadic Adjustment Scale), as well as the SSRI (Schutte Self-Report Inventory) were completed by the respondents. The respondents were 84 married individuals, including 34 couples. The relationship between marital adjustment and EQ was investigated by calculating correlations between the subscales of the DAS and SSRI. It transpired that an optimistic frame of mind showed a correlation with all the subscales of marital adjustment. It also appeared that the recognition of the own and the spouse’s feelings, social skills, and the application of emotions were related to increased marital satisfaction as well as marital consensus. Social skills also displayed a correlation with affectional expression. EQ, however, did not show a strong correlation with marital cohesion. Next, the relation between the subscales of the DAS was compared to that of the MMV-SQ questionnaire. Meaningful correlations between some scales of marital adjustment and SQ occurred, in particular with regard to the motivational scale: couples whose behaviour are motivated by mastering, appear to display a higher degree of marital adjustment, while the negative sources of motivation like self-centredness, craving and fears, display a negative correlation with marital adjustment. Few correlations were found between marital adjustment and purpose and meaning (between meditative awareness and marital consensus; between empathetic acceptance and openness, and affectional expression). No correlation was found with regard to values. Differences between the EQ and SQ of men and women were also investigated, but no major differences were observed. By means of multiple regressions it was indicated that some biographic variables did show a correlation with marital adjustment. Valuable information was obtained in the qualitative research regarding the couple’s roles in child-raising and domestic chores, the balance between career and family, personal satisfaction (SQ) in the marriage, as well as the understanding and handling of feelings (EQ). The value of this research lies in the foundational work of the SQ questionnaire in particular, as well as useful information with regard to South African marriages with preschool children. Guiding couples in their dealing with feelings (EQ), as well as providing an insight into the sources of motivation (SQ), should therefore enhance their marital adjustment. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted