DOCSLIB.ORG

Marital Satisfaction of Couples in Heterosexual Relationships Where There Are Differences in Spirituality

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Marital Satisfaction of Couples in Heterosexual Relationships Where There Are Differences in Spirituality MARITAL SATISFACTION OF COUPLES IN HETEROSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS WHERE THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN SPIRITUALITY A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Antioch University New England In partial fulfillment for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY by Collins Ifeanyichukwu Anaeche ORCID Scholar No. 0000-0003-2497-6705 December 2020 MARITAL SATISFACTION OF COUPLES IN HETEROSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS WHERE THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN SPIRITUALITY This dissertation, by Collins Ifeanyichukwu Anaeche, has been approved by the committee members signed below who recommend that it be accepted by the faculty of Antioch University New England in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Dissertation Committee: Denzel Jones, PhD, Chairperson Kevin Lynes, PhD Norja E. Cunningham, PhD Lucille Byno, PhD ii Copyright © 2020 by Collins I. Anaeche All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT MARITAL SATISFACTION OF COUPLES IN HETEROSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS WHERE THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN SPIRITUALITY Collins Ifeanyichukwu Anaeche Antioch University New England Keene, NH As the dynamics of the United States’ social landscape shifts in relation to the diversity of culture, ethnicity, values, and traditions, and as religion and spirituality have become highly diverse and fluid, diversity in spirituality has received limited attention in the field of marriage and family therapy. Utilizing an interpretative phenomenological analysis, this qualitative investigation explores common meanings and experiences of emotional intimacy of couples in heterosexual relationships where there are differences in spirituality. Overall, the results of this investigation demonstrate that in situations where heterosexual couples who display differences in spirituality attentively attuned to their individual and relational needs, their emotional intimacy satisfaction was enhanced; in situations where couples’ attentiveness to their spirituality and religious differences was undermined, their individual needs suffered, and their emotional intimacy was impeded. Furthermore, this study shows that it is not so much the differences in the contents of spiritual beliefs between spouses in married relationships that determine the direction of their emotional intimacy satisfaction but their shared or divergent values on spirituality. Clinical implications for therapists are provided alongside study limitations and recommendations for future research. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA, http://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu Keywords: marital satisfaction, marital dissatisfaction, couples, heterosexual relationships, differences, spirituality, religion, religiosity, multidimensional systems, treatment, emotional intimacy, interpretative phenomenological analysis, IPA, qualitative research, shared values, respect, spouse, open communication, providing support, marital expectations, sharing, spiritual practice, connection, guides life, distant feeling, family of origin, multi-faith, married, attitude, therapy, relational attunement, gender dynamics, parenting, training, therapists, cumulative effects, marital experiences, intersectionality, self-of-the-therapist, couple dynamics. iv Dedication I would like to dedicate this dissertation to my late grandmother, Maryrose O. Anaeche. Grandma, though you did not live to see me become the first in the Anaeche family to obtain a doctorate degree, I trust you are celebrating the milestone with me and the family from heaven. Continue to rest in the eternal peace with God and keep watch over us. Your undying love continues to inspire us, and I will forever love you and cherish my memory of you. v Acknowledgements Without the support of so many, I would not have been able to complete this work. My highest thanks to Almighty God whose grace and presence sustains me and gives meaning and purpose in my life. My deep gratitude to my parents Simon E. Anaeche and Enderline N. Anaeche for their unyielding love and unflinching support all through my entire life. To my siblings; and in fact, all my natural family members, I thank you for the different ways, through which you encourage and inspire me. I am profoundly grateful to my dissertation chair Dr. Denzel L. Jones for his guidance and assistance throughout the research process. I would also like to express my gratitude to the other members of my committee: Dr. Kevin P. Lyness, Dr. Norja E. Cunningham, and Dr. Lucille H. Byno for their patience, understanding, and the feedback that they provided at various levels of this dissertation. I equally thank all my teachers and professors, both past and present, for the various ways in which they positively impacted my life and professional development. I specially thank Dr. William M. Boylin, whose great work with me as a clinical supervisor, during my masters training program at Central Connecticut State University, has positively influenced my approach to therapy. Thank you too, Professor Chimezie A. B. Osigweh for guiding and encouraging me to pursue my dream of earning doctoral degree in the field of psychology. Also, I would like to express my appreciation to all my friends who have supported me throughout the research process and my life in general. Thank you Rev. Dr. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu, and Rev. Dr. Paschal O. Ezeihuoma for your friendship and care. To Ebere Onwuama, Mr. David and Mrs. Lori Humbarger, Mr. Charles and Mrs. Judith Abaidoo, and all my numerous well-wishers and colleagues, I remain grateful for your love and support. vi Table of Contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. xi Chapter 1 - Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2 – Literature Review ........................................................................................................ 3 Spirituality in Multidimensional Systems ................................................................................... 3 Spirituality and Religion ............................................................................................................. 5 Religion and Spirituality in the United States ......................................................................... 7 Religion and Spirituality in Treatment .................................................................................... 8 Marital Satisfaction ..................................................................................................................... 9 Emotional Intimacy and Marital Satisfaction ........................................................................ 10 Other Factors Linked to Marital Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction ......................................... 12 Religiosity and Spirituality vis-à-vis Marital Satisfaction ........................................................ 17 The Present Study...................................................................................................................... 18 Chapter 3 - Methodology .............................................................................................................. 20 Research Design ........................................................................................................................ 20 Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ............................................................................ 21 Sampling Procedure and Recruitment ....................................................................................... 23 Data Collection Methods ........................................................................................................... 24 Interviews .............................................................................................................................. 25 vii Measures ................................................................................................................................ 26 Trustworthiness and Credibility ................................................................................................ 27 Role of the Researcher and Research Reflexivity ..................................................................... 27 Researcher Background and Biases .......................................................................................... 28 Chapter 4 - Results ........................................................................................................................ 31 Participants ................................................................................................................................ 31 IPA Data Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 33 Themes ...................................................................................................................................... 34 Continuing Commitment to Love Spouse in a Long-Term, Loving Marital Relationship ... 36 Intimacy through Sharing of Spiritual Practices of the Spouse ............................................. 53 Raising Children as a Multi-Faith Married Couple ............................................................... 69 Chapter 5 – Discussion ................................................................................................................. 73 Continuing Commitment to Love Spouse in a Long-term, Loving Marital Relationship .......
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Emotional Intimacy Passion
    STRENGTHENING OUR MARRIAGES A FOCUS ON: COMMUNICATION COMMITMENT INTIMACY COMMUNICATION THE BLESSINGS OF EDIFYING COMMUNICATION IN OUR MARRIAGES Communication IF OUR WORDS WERE A GARDEN, WHAT WOULD BE GROWING? OR Communication WE ARE NATURALLY SELFISH AND SINFUL, BUT RASH WORDS CAN HURT! Communication OUR WORDS SHOULD STRENGTHEN A MARRIAGE: • THANKS FOR DINNER, THAT WAS REALLY GOOD! • I LOVE YOU!! • THAT NEW DRESS LOOKS VERY NICE ON YOU! Communication OUR WORDS SHOULD STRENGTHEN A MARRIAGE: • THANKS FOR DINNER, THAT WAS REALLY GOOD! • I LOVE YOU!! • THAT NEW DRESS LOOKS VERY NICE ON YOU! LET YOUR SPEECH BE ALWAYS WITH GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT, THAT YE MAY KNOW HOW YE OUGHT TO ANSWER EVERY MAN – COLOSSIANS 4:6 Communication ACTIVELY PROMOTE OUR SPOUSE – EVEN WHEN THEY ARE NOT PRESENT BE A PEACEMAKER LET US THEREFORE FOLLOW AFTER THE THINGS THAT MAKE FOR PEACE, AND THINGS WHEREWITH ONE MAY EDIFY ANOTHER – ROMANS 14:19 Verbal Communication • ASK WHEN WOULD BE A GOOD TIME (TO BRING UP A CONCERN) • SAY WHAT YOU MEAN • AVOID AN ACCUSATORY TONE OF VOICE Non-Verbal Communication • TONE OF VOICE • BODY LANGUAGE • FACIAL EXPRESSIONS Listening • ARE YOU REALLY LISTENING, OR ARE YOU THINKING OF WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO REPLY? HE THAT ANSWERETH A MATTER BEFORE HE HEARETH IT, IT IS FOLLY AND SHAME UNTO HIM – PROVERBS 18:13 • BE AWARE OF NON-VERBALS AND VIBES • ARE YOU FOCUSING? • REPEAT BACK WHAT YOU HEARD • YOU DON’T HAVE TO ALWAYS AGREE • GIVE TIME FOR A RESPONSE Communication • PERSONALITY DIFFERENCES – ARE YOU A CONDENSER OR AN EXPANDER? • CHOOSE
    [Show full text]
  • Guilt, Shame, and Grief: an Empirical Study of Perinatal Bereavement
    Guilt, Shame, and Grief: An Empirical Study of Perinatal Bereavement by Peter Barr 'Death in the sickroom', Edvard Munch 1893 A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Centre for Behavioural Sciences Faculty of Medicine University of Sydney November, 2003 Preface All of the work described in this thesis was carried out personally by the author under the auspices of the Centre for Behavioural Sciences, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney. None of the work has been submitted previously for the purpose of obtaining any other degree. Peter Barr OAM, MB BS, FRACP ii The investigator cannot truthfully maintain his relationship with reality—a relationship without which all his work becomes a well-regulated game—if he does not again and again, whenever it is necessary, gaze beyond the limits into a sphere which is not his sphere of work, yet which he must contemplate with all his power of research in order to do justice to his own task. Buber, M. (1957). Guilt and guilt feelings. Psychiatry, 20, p. 114. iii Acknowledgements I am thankful to the Department of Obstetrics and Department of Neonatology of the following hospitals for giving me permission to approach parents bereaved by stillbirth or neonatal death: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Royal Hospital for Women, Royal North Shore Hospital and Westmead Hospital. I am most grateful to Associate Professor Susan Hayes and Dr Douglas Farnill for their insightful supervision and unstinting encouragement and support. Dr Andrew Martin and Dr Julie Pallant gave me sensible statistical advice.
    [Show full text]
  • Links of Spiritual Intimacy with Observed Emotional Intimacy and Perceived Marital Quality Among Couples During Their First Pregnancy
    LINKS OF SPIRITUAL INTIMACY WITH OBSERVED EMOTIONAL INTIMACY AND PERCEIVED MARITAL QUALITY AMONG COUPLES DURING THEIR FIRST PREGNANCY Emily A. Padgett A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS December 2010 Committee: Annette Mahoney, Advisor Kenneth Pargament Alfred DeMaris ii ABSTRACT Annette Mahoney, Advisor This study explores the role that spiritual intimacy plays in marital relationships of couples who are expecting their first child. Spiritual intimacy is defined as spouses disclosing their beliefs and feelings regarding spirituality to each other and providing empathetic support about such disclosures. One hundred seventy eight married couples reported on spiritual intimacy and four areas of marital quality (i.e., use of collaboration to discuss conflict, general marital satisfaction, marital love, and spiritual satisfaction with the marriage). Each couple was also video-recorded having a ten minute conversation about their vulnerabilities related to becoming a parent to obtain a direct assessment of the degree of emotional intimacy and warmth shared by the couple. Specifically, the observed interactions were coded for each partner’s use of positive self disclosure, and positive support given to partner. In addition, couples were coded on the degree of general negativity and general affection and warmth the spouses exhibited toward each other. Wife and husband self-reports of spiritual intimacy correlated with observations of greater positive support, warmth/affection and less negativity during emotionally intimate interactions, and with both spouses’ self-reports of marital love and spiritual satisfaction, and wives’ marital satisfaction. Spiritual intimacy also predicted unique variance for these variables after controlling for demographic variables and general religiousness.
    [Show full text]
  • Should Developers Fund More Affordable Housing?
    Unbeetable eats WEEKEND | 19 NOVEMBER 28, 2014 VOLUME 22, NO. 44 www.MountainViewOnline.com 650.964.6300 MOVIES | 22 City asks: Should developers fund more affordable housing? By Daniel DeBolt Resident Jeremy Hoffman wrote a long comment, saying ity officials want to know the arrangement “represents a if residents think develop- redistribution of wealth. Policy Cers of offices and housing makers have the right and duty to should pay more for the develop- enact such redistribution for the ment of affordable housing in benefit of the community.” The Mountain View. strongest opponent of potential Up for debate is whether to fee increases went unnamed, raise fees that affordable housing saying that “our rights as citizens advocates have long said are too do not extend to the right to an low — fees that developers must ‘affordable’ place to live.” pay when developing offices, and “Affordable housing” can seem when building homes if afford- a subjective term. It is defined by able housing is not included the United States Department MICHELLE LE in the residential development of Housing and Urban Develop- Nicole embraces her mother Sobeida Lopez at a rally following President Barack Obama’s executive itself. Compared with neigh- ment (HUD) monthly housing action on immigration policies. boring cities, Mountain View’s payments of no more than 30 affordable housing fees are low. percent of a household’s income. The city wants residents to Mountain View is currently MV activists celebrate Obama’s comment on the topic using advertising openings on a wait- the new “Open City Hall” tool ing list for “below market rate” posted at mountainview.gov.
    [Show full text]
  • Applying Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love to an Atheoretical Field
    Illinois State University ISU ReD: Research and eData Theses and Dissertations 4-10-2014 Seeking a Better Understanding of Cyber Infidelity: applying Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love to an atheoretical field Lauren Elizabeth Hardy Illinois State University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd Part of the Family, Life Course, and Society Commons Recommended Citation Hardy, Lauren Elizabeth, "Seeking a Better Understanding of Cyber Infidelity: applying Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love to an atheoretical field" (2014). Theses and Dissertations. 126. https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/126 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ISU ReD: Research and eData. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ISU ReD: Research and eData. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SEEKING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CYBER INFIDELITY: APPLYING STERNBERG’S TRIANGULAR THEORY OF LOVE TO AN ATHEORETICAL FIELD Lauren E. Hardy 33 Pages May 2014 The recent phenomenon of cyber infidelity is greatly increasing due to the availability and technology. But, current research is atheoretical, lacking a common language as to how cyber infidelity affects the face-to-face couple. Applying Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love (1986) is a step in defining aspects of the effects of cyber infidelity. Language among existing research is strikingly comparable to Sternberg’s theory. Applying this theory and making the applications using Sternberg’s components shows that this theory has the strong potential to create a common language concerning the effects cyber infidelity has on the face-to-face couple.
    [Show full text]
  • Intimacy, Sexuality, and Early-Stage Dementia the Changing Marital Relationship
    ACT_10_2_63-77 10/4/09 06:25 PM Page 63 RESEARCH Intimacy, Sexuality, and Early-Stage Dementia The Changing Marital Relationship BY PHYLLIS BRAUDY HARRIS, PHD, LISW, ACSW When one’s marital partner receives a diagnosis of dementia, it has major ramifications for a couple. Such a diagnosis affects every aspect of marital life, including the most intimate areas. This qualitative study (1) focuses on the perspectives of married couples, caregivers, and their spouses in the early-stage dementia as they discuss their intimate relationships, both positive and negative aspects, (2) identifies how they cope with these changes to their marital relationship, and (3) develops evidenced-based recommendations for other couples in the early stages of dementia and for their healthcare providers. Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, intimacy, marital relationships, sexuality We grow up with an understanding that your job and turn 60 at a rate of 330 persons every hour.In addition,the what you do is who you are. And if you can’t do Alzheimer’s Association estimates that there are 500 000 that.… And I think sexuality is the same thing.What people in the United States younger than 65 years do we hear on television? All kinds of stuff, a good life, a good relationship, is two people sitting in matching (younger onset) who also have AD or other types of 1–3 bath tubs looking at the sun go down and being ex- dementia. Thus, AD is a significant and mounting con- cited because their Viagra is kicking in.But that is not cern for older adults, their families, and the community.
    [Show full text]
  • CHALLENGE How Shall We Teach a Child to Reach
    CHALLENGE How shall we teach A child to reach Beyond himself and touch The stars, We, who have stooped so much? How shall we say to Him, "The way of life Is through the gate Of Love" We, who have learned to hate? Author Unknown Great ideals and principles do not live from genera- tion to generation just because they are right, not even because they are carefully legislated. Ideals and principles continue from generation to genera- tion only when they are built into the hearts of children as they grow up. --George S. Benson from "World Scouting" RECIPE (For one dealing with children) Take lots and lots of common sense, Mix well with some intelligence; Add patience, it will take enough To keep it all from being tough; Remove all nerves (there's no place for them, Childish noises only jar them); Sprinkle well with ready laughter, This adds a better flavor after; Put sense of humor in to spice it, Add love and understanding. Ice it With disposition sweet and mild, You're ready now to train a child. --Margaret Hite Yarbrough CHORISTERS GUILD LETTERS Volume XIII 1961-62 September Number 1 Ruth Krehbiel Jacobs, Founder Arthur Leslie Jacobs, Editor Norma Lowder, Associate Editor Helen Kemp and Nancy Poore Tufts, Contributing Editors Published for its members by the CHORISTERS GUILD Box 211 Santa Barbara, California Copyright (C) 1961 Choristers Guild - 1 - Several years ago, the following appeared in the first Fall issue of the Letters. The inventory is as pertinent today as then, and should be used by all of us as a check chart.
    [Show full text]
  • The Specific Innate Modular View of Jealousy Reconsidered
    Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Copyright 2000 by the American Psychological Association, Inc. 2000, Vol. 78, No. 6, 1082-1091 OO22-3514/OO/S5.OO DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.78.6.1082 Psychophysiological Responses to Imagined Infidelity: The Specific Innate Modular View of Jealousy Reconsidered Christine R. Harris University of California, San Diego Three studies measured psychophysiological reactivity (heart rate, blood pressure, and electrodermal activity) while participants imagined a mate's infidelity. The specific innate modular theory of gender differences in jealousy hypothesizes that men are upset by sexual infidelity and women are upset by emotional infidelity, because of having faced different adaptive challenges (cuckoldry and loss of a mate's resources, respectively). This view was not supported. In men, sexual-infidelity imagery elicited greater reactivity than emotional-infidelity imagery. But, sexual imagery elicited greater reactivity even when infidelity was not involved, suggesting that the differential reactivity may not specifically index greater jealousy. In two studies with reasonable power, women did not respond more strongly to emotional infidelity. Moreover, women with committed sexual relationship experience showed reactivity patterns similar to those of men. Hypothetical infidelity self-reports were unrelated to reactivity. Several evolutionary psychologists have proposed a theory of This view of jealousy as a sexually dimorphic adaptation is gender differences in jealousy, which claims that men and women widely discussed in current editions of social psychology text- are innately predisposed to react differently to sexual versus emo- books and has received a great deal of attention in publications tional infidelity (Buss, Larsen, Westen, & Semmelroth, 1992; Daly written for the general public.
    [Show full text]
  • Affair-Fog-Stages
    1 / 2 Affair-fog-stages May 25, 2017 — Most emotional affairs aren't physically sexual, but emotionally provocative & intimate. Here's are the 7 different stages of emotional affairs.. Whatever the reason for an affair, the emotional toll on the people and the ... Affairs often aren't about people wanting to be in a different relationship, but about ... It was so out of character for him and once he came out of the affair fog, he was .... Mar 21, 2021 — Read more about the biochemistry of affair fog theory: Affair Fog Theory: Biochemistry. The issues of mental health, libido, affair behaviors, and .... The term "affair fog" is often used by experts and affair victims to describe the euphoria ... When Doug was in his “affair fog,” I too was in a type of fog (emotional ... at a similar stage) and just hope that he no longer “needs” the EA and that this, .... How to use custom playbook in madden 21 franchise. Affair fog stages. Tales of wind yggdrasil side quest. Catholic house cleansing ritual. Writing a letter to new .... But the hope is that despite the anger and the sense of betrayal, there can truly at some stage be a recognition that the affair didn't happen by accident or from .... Mar 20, 2021 — I have also included my advice for couples on how to deal with each stage — and maybe save their marriages. affair fog stages. He feels .... Nov 24, 2020 — ... brain fog, an inability to make decisions, memory problems, PTSD, ... Once in the relationship, there are three main phases that a victim goes ..
    [Show full text]
  • When Relationships Hurt, Too When Relationships Hurt, Too
    The impact of grief on parents’ relationships after the sudden death of their child. When Relationships Hurt, Too When Relationships Hurt, Too The impact of grief on parents’ relationships after the sudden death of their child Petra Nicolette den Hartog, in collaboration with bereaved parents and Red Nose Grief and Loss. The printing of this booklet has been made possible through Collier Charitable Fund and the generosity of Kathryn, Michael, Brian and Margret Goding In Memory of Lillian Samantha O’Shannessy Goding 4/04/2007-23/02/2010 Forever loved and never forgotten daughter and granddaughter. Missed immensely by older brother Ethan. Her memory will live on through Lillian’s older brother and younger sister Giuliana. When relationships hurt, too. The impact of grief on parents’ relationships after the sudden death of their child. Petra Nicolette den Hartog in collaboration with bereaved parents and Red Nose Grief and Loss Published by: Red Nose Grief and Loss, 1227 Malvern Road, Malvern Victoria 3144 Australia © 2014 ISBN: 978-0-9924406-0-2 Copyright of this publication is vested in Red Nose. We permit free copying of all or part of this booklet for the purposes of disseminating the information contained in it, without cost, for the public good, provided its source is acknowledged. For any other purposes, for example, for commercial or profit-making purposes, we assert all our rights as owners of copyright under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth), as amended and we do not give free or unlimited copying access for commercial profit-making purposes. Developed and Produced by Red Nose Grief and Loss.
    [Show full text]
  • Jealousy in Close Relationships Among Emerging Adults by Katrina
    Jealousy in Close Relationships Among Emerging Adults by Katrina Poetzl Blomquist Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Martha Putallaz, Supervisor ___________________________ James Moody ___________________________ Philip Costanzo ___________________________ John Curry Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience in the Graduate School of Duke University 2014 ABSTRACT Jealousy in Close Relationships Among Emerging Adults by Katrina Poetzl Blomquist Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Martha Putallaz, Supervisor ___________________________ James Moody ___________________________ Philip Costanzo ___________________________ John Curry An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience in the Graduate School of Duke University 2014 Copyright by Katrina Poetzl Blomquist 2014 Abstract Using a mix of quantitative and qualitative measures, the current study examines how jealousy is experienced and expressed in close peer relationships during emerging adulthood. 193 college student participants (94 males, 99 females) described actual jealousy experiences, answered questions from a newly developed jealousy questionnaire, and completed questionnaires
    [Show full text]
  • Affect in Intimate Relationships
    CHAPTER 13 Affect in Intimate Relationships The Developmental Course of Marriage Laura L. Carstensen and Jeremy Graff Department of Psychology Stanford University Stanford, California Robert W. Levenson John M. Gottman University of California, Berkeley University of Washington Berkeley, California Seattle, Washington I. INTRODUCTION The cardinal role that social relationships play in emotional develop­ ment has been well established. Not only does social interaction serve to strengthen and refine links between feelings and environmental events early in life (deRivera, 1984), social interactions contribute importantly to the development of attachment (Ainsworth, 1982; Bowlby, 1973) and the acquisition of emotional knowledge (Shaver, 1984). Although the de­ velopmental course of social and emotional links in later stages of life has received far less attention, it is clear that the inextricable association between emotion and social contact never ceases. In all likelihood, emo­ tional experience within the context of social relationships influences vir­ tually all domains of human experience throughout the human life span. Handbook of Emotion, Adult Development, and Aging 227 Copyright © 1996 by Academic Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved. rI 228 L. L. Carstensen, J Graff, R W. Levenson, and J M. Gottman In this chapter, we explore the role of emotion expression and expe­ rience within the context of intimate relationships in adulthood and old age. We focus on the marital relationship because in Western cultures it is the closest and most enduring relationship most adults experience. Over 95 % of people in America marry at some point in their lives, and after 20 years more than half of these marriages are still intact; in cases of di­ vorce, remarriage within two to three years is typical (U.S.
    [Show full text]