Joe D. Wilmoth

Challenges and Conflicts . . . Strengths and Supports: A Study of Enduring African American Marriages

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.

Recollected Parental Care and Fear of Intimacy in Emerging Adults

Two samples of university students (combined N= 299; mean age = 24.97; 86% female) completed the care subscale of the parental bonding instrument and the Fear of Intimacy scale. Analyses indicated that recollected parental care and fear of intimacy were negatively correlated. Concurrently, it was found that (1) participants who reported having a warm, caring relationship with at least one parent were significantly less likely to suffer from a fear of intimacy and (2) participants who scored low on the measure of fear of intimacy were more likely to have mothers who exhibited high levels of warmth and care. Results supported the proposition that the nature of the parent–child relationship has long-reaching effects on how individuals approach romantic relationships.

A National Survey of Marriage Preparation Provided by Clergy

Clergy provide the vast majority of marriage preparation, but little is known about the nature of premarital education they provide. To provide baseline data, a national survey (N = 793) from the 15 largest mainline Protestant, evangelical Protestant, and Catholic denominations investigated the requirements and content addressed in clergy-provided marriage preparation. A significant number of clergy include recommended components in premarital education, but several practices with demonstrated efficaciousness are generally left out, including follow-up meetings after the wedding, utilization of mentor couples, and dealing with family-of-origin issues. The article discusses implications for clergy providing premarital programs and policy recommendations for denominations, seminaries, and community agencies.

Examining Social Connections as a Link Between Religious Participation and Well-being Among Older Adults

Social connections provided through religious participation are associated with subjective well-being in older populations. This study investigated how much of this association can be explained by other social connections, and whether these associations vary by age. A cross-sectional random-sample telephone survey was completed by 1,025 individuals over 55 years of age. The contribution of religious participation was examined using hierarchical multiple regression and ANCOVA analyses for the entire sample and for four age-specific groups: (1) 55–64, (2) 65–74, (3) 75–84, and (4) 85+. Religious participation was found to be a significant predictor of subjective well-being for the oldest and youngest groups.

Use of Premarital Assessment Questionnaires by Clergy in Marriage Preparation

Clergy provide the majority of marriage preparation in the United States; however, little is known about the use of premarital assessments and their relationship to clergy effectiveness in providing premarital education. A nationwide survey investigated the use of premarital assessment questionnaires (PAQs), specifically Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding, and Study (FOCCUS), PREmarital Personal and Relationship Evaluation (PREPARE), and RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE), in marriage preparation provided by clergy. Three demographic variables positively predicted whether clergy use these instruments: the number of annual weddings performed, the number of continuing education opportunities related to marriage preparation, and the size of church membership. An ANOVA revealed that clergy who used a PAQ had significantly higher perceived effectiveness than clergy who did not use any premarital inventory. These findings suggest that training clergy to use premarital assessments can increase clergys perception of marriage preparation effectiveness.

THE ABC-X MODEL OF FAMILY STRESS IN THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS

Throughout history, families have dealt with stress and crises. Hills 1949 ABC-X model of family stress remains a useful tool for identifying the different components that affect how successfully families cope with stress. Pauls letter to the Philippians expands and illustrates this model. Therapists working with Christian families and individuals can use this model and Pauls epistle as a structure to help identify the type of stressor being experienced, explore family resources, and evaluate the individuals or familys meaning of the stressor, helping them to respond successfully to stress.

Marital Satisfaction, Negative Interaction, and Religiosity: A Comparison of Three Age Groups

This study compared marital satisfaction among three age groups and examined how negative interaction patterns and religiosity relate to marital satisfaction at each age using a sample of Protestants (N = 45,387) diverse in denominations, location, geography, and size. We performed a 1-way ANOVA to compare marital satisfaction among three age groups (younger than 40, 40–59, and 60 and older) and found a U-shape curve with marital satisfaction highest among the youngest group, lowest among middle-age couples, and high among older couples. ANCOVA analysis found negative interaction, age, religiosity, age*negative interaction, and age*religiosity to be predictors of marital satisfaction.

Influence of a Statewide Marriage Initiative on Clergy Involvement in Marriage Preparation

Although government-funded community healthy marriage initiatives (CHMIs) often focus on clergy-provided premarital education, little is known about the influence of a statewide initiative on clergy attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors. The purpose of this study was to compare Oklahoma clergy over time and Oklahoma clergy with clergy from other states. The findings suggest that the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative (OMI), one of the earliest and largest CHMIs, has influenced clergy attitudes and perceived effectiveness but has had a limited effect on clergy behaviors. In addition, the findings suggest that Oklahoma clergy did not significantly differ from other clergy in the United States regarding premarital education attitudes and behaviors despite the efforts of the OMI. Based on these findings, policymakers should reevaluate approaches to clergy involvement in CHMIs.

Relationship with God and the Word: Faith among American Evangelical Christian families

Abstract A little more than 40% of Americans self-identify with the Evangelical Christian faith. American Evangelical Christians generally report that the primary convictions of their faith are a strong belief in the Bible and deep commitment to and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We explore how these specific faith convictions and practices of Evangelical Christians influence their family life and family interactions. The article is based on in-depth qualitative interviews with 23 Evangelical Christian families (46 parents, 10 youth). Themes related to the domain of marital strengths included: (1) enhancing marital unity, (2) resolving marital conflict, and (3) giving and receiving forgiveness in marriage. The three central themes related to parenting include: (1) enhancing parent–child unity, (2) resolving parent–child conflict, and (3) giving and receiving forgiveness.

The contributions of religious practice, existential certainty, and raising grandchildren to well-being in older adults

ABSTRACT Religious beliefs and practices are believed to foster well-being across the life course. This study examines whether religious practice, spiritual development, and existential certainty are positively linked to well-being in grandparents (N = 2,503) and whether these factors buffer grandparents from risks associated with raising grandchildren and adjusting to changing roles. Data were collected from individuals attending Protestant churches. Spiritual development and existential certainty were positively associated with well-being. We found no evidence for buffering effects of religious practice on grandparent well-being. Grandparents raising grandchildren reported more challenges in adjusting to changes in roles compared to their peers.