Abstract

The current study utilized a qualitative approach to identify the specific processes and principles that promote stability and happiness in exemplary interfaith marriages. In-depth interviews were conducted with 32 interfaith couples (N = 63) that had been recruited through purposive sampling who reported being happily married on average 20 years. Six core themes were identified through team-based systematic analysis using NVivo 12. Many couples reported several significant challenges because of their religious differences, as discussed in our first theme. We organized the five themes regarding how couples navigated religious differences into the AFFIRM model. That is, the adaptive processes and principles we identified in these interfaith couples were that they (a) Assisted and supported each other's practices and beliefs, (b) Focused on similarities of belief, (c) Fostered religious Intimacy and understanding, (d) Respected each other's religious choices, and (e) made Marriage their first and highest priority. Differences in challenges and processes between couples that were interfaith throughout their entire marriage and couples that diverged in faith during their marriage were tested using t-tests and Fisher's exact tests. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2023-07-17

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd12847

Keywords

interfaith, divergent-faith, religious heterogeneity, qualitative, religion and family

Language

english

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