Marital Longevity Research Articles

Level of Education, Marital Longevity and Religion as Determinants of Marital Stability among Couples in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

The study was a descriptive survey aimed at investigating couples’ level of education, marital longevity and religion as determinants of marital stability among couples in the Tamale Metropolis. The population of the study were married couples drawn from the Metropolis who have been married for 1-25 years and could read and understand. A sample of 381married couples aged between 30 to 50 years were drawn from the region using stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was use to gather data for the study. Quantitative data was analysed by using one-way ANOVA. Hypothesis one revealed a statistically significant differences in marital stability of couples based on their level of education. Hypothesis two revealed a statistically significant differences in the length of marriage and marital stability of couples. For hypothesis 3, it was revealed that there is a statistically significant differences in marital stability among couples based on their religion. It was concluded that married couples’ levels of education, how long they have been married and couples’ religion were key determinants of marital stability among couples. It is therefore recommended that couples intending to marry should have some level of education to be effectively resolve conflicts during marriage. Also, couples should be educated on the need to stay longer in marriage despites conflicts and misunderstandings and adherence to religious practices, values and teachings on marriage should be adhered to.

Sociodemographic Factors Contributing to Marital Stability

Marital Stability is interpreted as whether a couple in a marriage remains together, instead of separating or getting divorced. It is also called as marital longevity or duration of marriage. The objective of the study was to find the relationship between marriage duration and socio demographic variables of married couples in India. Thirty married couples were randomly selected using stratified random sampling. Three groups were formed based on the duration of the marriage such as married for 10 to 20 years, 21 to 30 years and 31 to 40 years. The respondents were asked about their demographic information like age, education, occupation, income and age at marriage. Data analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The result indicated a negative correlation between length of marriage and education which means higher the education lesser the length of marriage. The role of education, income and age at marriage on marital stability was discussed and it was concluded that not only socio-demograhic factors, but also social and psychological factors to be considered to interpret the marital stability.

“Why Would Such a Person Dream About Heaven?” Family, Faith, and Happiness in Arranged Marriages in India

This study explores the why and how of high rates of marital satisfaction among arranged marriage spouses of Hindu faith in Jaipur, India. The construct family and religious involvement is proposed to describe what constituents of the arranged marriages of participants influence high rates of marital satisfaction. This construct is observed and discussed within three main phases of marriage: (a) time leading up to marriage; (b) early and formative years of marriage; and (c) marital longevity and satisfaction. The findings broaden the conceptual understanding of the experience of arranged marriage. It appears that choices made throughout a marriage have more to do with marital happiness than merely choice in mate selection. Implications for future research on arranged marriage are discussed along with conceptual and practical implications for professional counselors and religious leaders in the West.

Challenges and Conflicts . . . Strengths and Supports

Most studies of marriage among African Americans have adhered to a problem-oriented perspective. Consequently, relatively little is known about enduring African American marriages. As marriage confers numerous psychosocial and economic benefits, there is merit in studying the characteristics of African American marriages that stand the test of time. Seventy-one married African American couples (mean length of marriage = 32 years) provided information regarding their religious practices, perceived reasons for their marital longevity, challenges encountered, marital happiness, and common areas of disagreement. Participant couples reported being happily married, attending church frequently, praying frequently, and believing that their faith has played a large role in their marital longevity. Responses also indicated that these couples have faced and overcome challenges and disagreements to remain married.

<em>Peacemaking and Proverbs in Urhobo and Yoruba Marital Conflicts: Part 1</em>

In most marriages conflicts occur and they elicit strong negative feelings, which are capable of disrupting the relationship. Conflict resolution is integral to a successful relationship; conflicts not resolved can lead to divorce. The capacity to seek peace and harmony is one of the most important factors contributing to marital longevity and marital satisfaction. Marital conflicts have been known to decline in traditional communities following the intervention of elders and neighbors. In marital conflicts, this form of intervention sets the stage for reconciliation. From observation, peacemaking and conflict resolution strategies in marital conflict often involve discourse usually interspersed with proverbs. In the traditional context, proverbs are literary forms that offer the speaker a medium for the projection and fulfillment of a variety of socially desired goals and fulfill a social and communication function. In terms of form, the proverb is a graphic statement that expresses a truth of experience. This study examines the role of proverbs in marital peacemaking discourse. Examples are drawn from Urhobo proverbs of the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria. The context of usage is geared toward persuading disputants to overcome resentment, lack of forgiveness, anger, retaliatory impulses, conciliatory behavior, and so on. Some proverbs are intended to illustrate qualities that bring peace including cooperation, patience, and identification with the opponents.

Predictors of marital longevity after new spinal cord injury

Prospective cohort design of married persons with new spinal cord injury (SCI). To examine the relationship of demographic and injury characteristics, self-rated health, physical functioning, and life satisfaction to the duration of marriage 1 to 15 years after SCI among individuals who were married at the time of injury. United States. Survival analysis was chosen to determine the predictors related to marital longevity, which is defined as non-occurrence of divorce after injury. In all, 2327 subjects were included in the analyses. Predictors were demographics and injury characteristics, level of handicap, self-perceived health, and functional independence. Age at injury, being Caucasian vs African American, having a college education vs high school, having 'other' employment status vs being unemployed, having higher social integration and improved or stable self-rated health vs poor health were all significant factors that delayed the time of divorce after injury. Contrary to expectations, level of injury, function, mobility and independence were not significant predictors of marriage longevity. Social integration and health perception, the most powerful indicators of marriage longevity, can be addressed and facilitated by health care providers and rehabilitation programs.

The True Love Question

The true love question is a marital therapy intervention utilized to evaluate marriage viability. This intervention is based upon a model which posits three possible origins for marriage, of which only one, bilateral true love, is maintained as the sole basis for marital longevity with enduring intimacy. Four possible outcomes from introducing this intervention with couples are discussed, as are therapeutic dynamics and applications in marital and individual psychotherapy.

Birth Order: Complementarity vs Homogamy as Determinants of Attraction in Dating Relationships

Toman's duplication and homogamy theorems derive conflicting hypotheses for the relationship between birth order and attraction in dating relationships. The present investigation directly compared these two hypotheses for a sample of 123 dating couples. Members of each couple completed measures of birth order, liking, loving, time-period dating, probability of marrying partner, and satisfaction with relationship; birth orders were classified into five types according to Toman's system. The results did not support either duplication or homogamy. Although evidence exists for the effects of duplication on marital longevity and for homogamy on marital choice, birth order does not appear related to the choice, longevity, or attraction between dating partners. Theoretical implications of these findings were discussed.