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INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the rnicrofilm master. UMI films the text directly fi^m the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter &ce, while others may be fi-om any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction Is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction In the unlikely event that the author did not said UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these wiU be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, b^inning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing fi-om left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photogr^hed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back o f the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Infimnation Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Aifaor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 NOTE TO USERS The original manuscript received by UMI contains pages with indistinct and slanted print Pages were microfilmed as received. This reproduction is the best copy available UMI CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGE AND ITS AFFECT ON SPOUSAL CONCORDANCE AMONG THE "AL-KANDARI" IN KUWAIT DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School o f The Ohio State University By Yagoub Y. Abdullah, MA ***** The Ohio State University 1999 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor Frank Poirier, Adviser Professor Douglas Crews Adviser Professor Ivy Pike Department of Anthropology UMI Number: 9919836 UMI Microform 9919836 Copyright 1999, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 ABSTRACT Biocultural studies in Kuwait and in the Gulf States are rare. This research provides relevant data about a most important social and cultural characteristic o f family life, marriage. It discusses differences between biological and cultural traits of spouses in different marriage types. These differences are related to significant change in Kuwait in recent years because of modernization and urbanization. The research examines spousal cultural and physical concordance in: first- and double-cousin marriages, second- and less-than-second-cousin marriages and non-consanguineous marriages among the Al- Kandari kin group residing in Kuwait. There is a significant relationship between couples in a non-consanguineous marriage and couples in the second and less than second cousin marriage for stature. There is no significant relationship in stature for couples in a first and double cousin marriage. Couples in a non-consanguineous marriage are more alike in body fat distribution compared with other marriage types. This study reveals an association between couples in consanguineous marriages in systolic and diastolic blood pressures but only in diastolic blood pressure between couples in a non-consanguineous marriage. The research examines spousal cultural and physical concordance according to the length of marriage. There is an association in stature between spouses married for 15 years or less and between 16 and 30 years, which may reflect the process o f modernization, but there is no association between spouses married 31 years and more. Couples married 31 or more years show an association in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Couples married 15 years or less show a significant association in height, weight, BMI, triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness, hip and waist circumferences, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Offspring health varies by marriage type. Most offspring deaths occur in consanguineous marriages. For the three types of marriage, the only significant difference is found in pregnancy loses which is highest in the first and double cousin m arnées. Life in an extended family is related to an elevation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Non-consanguineous couples have the highest concordance in educational level, occupation, and degree of acculturation. On the other hand, couples in a non- consanguineous marriage are not alike in their attitudes regarding fertility. Some other cultural attitudes and behaviors tested showed significant differences among the three types of marriages. Many variables are positively correlated with blood pressure. There is a significant association between weight, BMI, triceps, and subscapular skinfold thickness, hip and waist circumferences, age, length of marriage, level of education, marriage type, physical activities, degree of acculturation, and the families who have their own kitchen, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Ill The primary research instrument is a questionnaire containing sociocultural and general health status questions. The questionnaire was administrated in interview style. The SPSS package analyzed the data using descriptive and inferential statistics. Frequencies, crosstabulation, correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, and chi square are used. Anthropometric measurements followed the guidelines of the “Manual of Operational Procedures" (Maywood, Illinois: Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, 1991) and the “Anthropometric Standardization References Manual” (Lohman, Roche, and Martorell, 1988). IV Dedicated to; My parents, my wife, and my children ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank my adviser. Dr. Frank E. Poirier, for his help, support, enthusiasm, and encouragement before and during this research. He was more than adviser for me in his guidance and help. I am grateful also to the committee members Dr. Douglas Crews who guided me on the right path which made this project possible. I also thank Dr. Ivy Pike for her time and assistance. I am indebted to some of my friends for their efforts in this research. I am indebted to Mr. Yahya Abdal and Dr. Hamed Al-Mutaitri who gave me leads, help, and advice. There were more than friends for me. Special recognition for Dr. Yousif Ali, Dr. Hadi Muktar, and Dr. Ahmad Abul for helping revise the sociocultural questionnaire and for other assistance. I am grateful to Mr. Mohammed Al-Duwihi for his advice and help in many matters. Special thanks to Dr. Muheb Shaban for his help and advice and Mr. Jolien T. Lewis for helping me with using the SPSS package and for coping with the research questionnaire. Special recognition for Dr. Talal Al-Najran for his help and advice. 1 thank Dr. Mohammed Housain for giving me the initial idea for this study. I am indebted to my close friends and relatives, Khaled Al-Kandari, Mohammed Taleb, Mohammed Al-Hamdan, Waleed Murad, and Fahad Al-Kandari. Without their cooperation and help, a study such as this would not be possible. VI To my other fiiends and relatives, for their special support: Ibrahim Al-Kandari, Jasem Al-Mubarak, Ahmad Abdusamad, Dalai Al-Kandari, Muna Al-Kandari, Rawiya Al-Kandari, Saad Al-Baloshi, Haidar Al-Baloshi, Mosaed Al-Najdi, Tareq Al-Masoud, Khaled Al-Ammar, Dr. Abdullah Assad, and Dr. Saad Al-Jaber, thank you. This research owes much to the librarians in the Arts Library at Kuwait University: Mrs. Sua’d Al-Ateki, Mr. Hassan Al-Kandari, Mohammed Hassan, Mrs. Nahed Al-Abdulmehsen and Mrs. Hannan AJ-Dahmi. Special recognition is also due to Mr. Baha’ EI-Ebrahim, Mr. Ramzi Aidahmi, Mr. Nabeel Abu Zaid, Mr. Hassan Al- Kandari and Ms. Nadia Al-Mosawi. I acknowledge the generous support given by my family. This research is indebted to them. Their patience and long suffering were a motivation to work hard to finish this work. Special thanks my father, Yousif, who has been encouraging me to work hard. Special recognition to my mother, Shareefa. I always hear her voice praying for me. Special acknowledgments to my children, Yousif, Housah, Mohammed and Dana, for their suffering because of the distance between us. They were a real motivation to return quickly to them. Finally, special gratitude to my wife, Ameena, who has been suffering for around six years working and praying silently while enduring the separation from our country and children. VII VTTA November 30, 1966 ................................Bora - Kuwait 1989 .........................................................BA, Sociology, Kuwait University 1989 - 1991 ............................................. Librarian, Information Specialist Assistant, Arts Library, Kuwait University 1991 - 1993 ............................................ Chief Librarian of Arts Library, Kuwait University 1993 - Present........................................... Scholarship Recipient, Sociology Department, Kuwait University 1995............................................................MA, Anthropology', The Ohio State University FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field; Anthropology VUI TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract...................................................................................................................... ü Dedication .................................................................................................................