African American, Latino, and Caucasian romantic couples: Behavior and maladaptive attributions as predictors of relationship satisfaction
by Osterhout, Rebecca Ellen, Ph.D., STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BINGHAMTON, 2009, 184 pages; 3372270

Abstract:

High rates of premarital cohabitation, divorce, and nonmarital fertility, especially among low-income ethnic minorities, represent a significant change in the patterns of family formation in the United States. These changes have led to a surge in government funded programs designed to promote healthy and long-lasting relationships among African American, Latino, and cohabiting Caucasian couples. However, past research on relationship enhancement programs has focused on married Caucasian couples, and information on minority populations or cohabiting Caucasians is limited. The current study was designed to address this need and examine if the intervention targets commonly researched in married Caucasian couples are meaningfully related to relationship satisfaction in African Americans, Latinos, and cohabiting Caucasians. Eligible participants who responded to internet advertisements were directed to a secure online survey where they completed questionnaires assessing relationship satisfaction, conflict behavior, social support, stressful life events, capitalization, maladaptive attributions, and depression. In general, findings from this study suggest that many of the commonly researched variables associated with relationship satisfaction in married Caucasian couples are also reliably linked to relationship satisfaction in African Americans, Latinos, and cohabiting Caucasians. Ethnic differences in correlates of relationship satisfaction and differences between cohabitating and married couples are discussed. Strengths, limitations, and implications of the results are reviewed.

 
AdviserMatthew D. Johnson
SchoolSTATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BINGHAMTON
SourceDAI/B 70-09, p. , Oct 2009
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsBlack studies; Social psychology; Ethnic studies; Hispanic American studies
Publication Number3372270
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