The Threefold Cord: Marital Commitment in Religious Couples

Authors

Nathaniel M. Lambert, Florida State University
David C. Dollahite, Brigham Young University - ProvoFollow

Keywords

commitment, God, marriage, meaning, purpose, perspective, vows

Abstract

This study reports results from in-depth interviews with 57 highly religious middle-aged married couples representing the major Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) and residing in New England and Northern California. The study uses grounded theory methods to create themes that describe the ways that religiosity influences marital commitment. Couples reported that religious beliefs and practices helped them include God as the third partner in their marriage, believe in marriage as a religious institution that lasts, and find meaning in committing to marriage.

Original Publication Citation

Lambert, N. M., & Dollahite, D. C. (2008). The threefold cord: Marital commitment in religious couples. Journal of Family Issues, 29, 592 –614.

BYU ScholarsArchive Citation

Lambert, Nathaniel M. and Dollahite, David C., "The Threefold Cord: Marital Commitment in Religious Couples" (2007). Faculty Publications. 5008.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/5008

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2007-11-12

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7779

Publisher

Journal of Family Issues

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Copyright Status

© 2008 Sage Publications

Copyright Use Information

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