How Religiosity Helps Couples Prevent, Resolve, and Overcome Marital Conflict

Keywords

conflict, marriage, prevention, reconciliation, religiosity, resolution

Abstract

This study reports on in‐depth interviews with 57 highly religious, middle‐aged married couples representing the major Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) residing in New England and Northern California. The study uses grounded theory methods to create themes and a model describing the ways that religiosity influences marital conflict. Couples reported that religiosity affects the conflict in their marriage at three phases of the conflict process: (a) problem prevention, (b) conflict resolution, and (c) relationship reconciliation. Practitioners may assist religious couples that are struggling with marital conflict by encouraging them to look to religious beliefs and practices.

Original Publication Citation

Lambert N. M., & Dollahite, D. C. (2006). How religiosity helps couples prevent, resolve, and overcome marital conflict. Family Relations, 55, 439-449.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2006-09-07

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7795

Publisher

Family Relations

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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