D.Phil. (Educational Psychology) / There is substantial evidence that potential marital partners have difficulty with their decision-making for a marital partner. As a result these potential marital partners often base their decisions of a marital partner on limited awareness. Little or no research has been done on the decision-making process of a marital partner, and that is why the question can be asked: "How did you make the choice for a marital partner?" The purpose of this study is to develop a model as framework of reference for the facilitation of awareness in the decision-making process for a marital partner as integral part of mental health. A theory generative, qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used to conduct this study. The fieldwork was done by having semistructured phenomenological interviews with marital partners. The results obtained were analysed and categorised. The results obtained from the analysed data reflect the fact that potential marital partners make the choice of a marital partner based on limited awareness. The main concept of facilitation of awareness in the decision-making of a marital partner was identified and defined as creating a safe space wherein people can be assisted in becoming conscious about their inner and outer world. A model was developed as framework of reference to facilitate awareness in the decision-making process of a marital partner as integral part of mental health.

The relationship between marital negotiation strategies and various context and outcome factors are examined using responses from 249 women and men. Multiple regression analysis confirmed significant links between context factors and negotiation strategies. Self-esteem was important in explaining degree of reliance on some types of negotiation, as was emotional interdependence and perceived past cooperativeness of the marital partner. Training in communication skills did not affect women's style of negotiation but was significant for men. The strategy of simply telling the spouse what is wanted or needed was more important to reaching agreement and having a sense of fairness about the outcome than were strategies like bargaining, reasoning or threatening. These findings are discussed within a theoretical framework that gives consideration to negotiation as a process important to understanding marital power. / Ph. D.

While studies exist that compare the different dynamics between cohabitation and marriage, few studies focus on comparing the consumer decision-making process of both types of unions.