Abstract

This study examined the extent to which relationality is implicated in relationship satisfaction. Specifically, this study examined the role of two relational variables, Spiritual Maturity and Relational Interdependent Self Construal, in predicting the variance in marital satisfaction, after controlling for number of children, religion, employment status, education, length of marriage and household income among married heterosexual couples in Antigua. The Caribbean Island of Antigua is comprised primarily of persons of African descent, deeply religious, but who are influenced by western ideas and values. The results of this study reveal the importance of spirituality but not relational self- construal as a key predictor of marital satisfaction. That is, individuals who reported high scores in one of the subscales of the spiritual assessment inventory also reported high scores in marital satisfaction. Further, persons who reported high instability in their relationship with the divine had lower levels of marital satisfaction. In addition, gender and age were also found to be significant predictors of marital satisfaction in this study. The findings in this study will be of benefit to mental health professionals (a fairly new profession in Antigua), marriage officers, pastors and family life educators, as they deal with married and prospective couples in Antigua. The results of this study would suggest that there is utility to the notion of integrating relational spirituality in family therapy interventions in Antigua and other Caribbean countries. Further, marriage and family therapist should be aware of the importance of gender and cultures issues in their practice with married individuals in this region.

LLU Discipline

Marriage and Family Therapy

Department

Counseling and Family Sciences

School

School of Science and Technology

First Advisor

Wilson, Colwick M.

Second Advisor

Both-Gragg, Janee

Third Advisor

Huenergardt, Douglas

Fourth Advisor

Knudson-Martin, Carmen

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

January 2012

Date (Title Page)

6-1-2012

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Antiqua; Interpersonal relations; Married people - Antigua;

Subject - Local

Relationality; Relationship satisfaction; Spiritual Maturity; Relational Interdependent Self-Construal; Marital Satisfaction

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

135 p.

Digital Format

Application/PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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