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Rashida Spence, Ph.D., is a 2021 graduate of the PhD Program in Marriage and Family Therapy at Antioch University, New England

Dissertation Committee:

  • Denzel Jones, PhD, Committee Chair
  • Valerie Riggs, PhD, Committee Member
  • Amber Venum, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

African American relationship satisfaction, Black couples, African American marriages, African American satisfaction, couples satisfaction, healthy Black relationships

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2021

Abstract

The current study uses a strengths-based framework to identify the process of marriage satisfaction among 1 same-sex African American married couple and 5 heterosexual African American married couples. Six themes emerged through qualitative analysis demonstrating that marriage satisfaction is a co-constructed experience created between couples through a series of interactions cultivating healthy conditions that strengthen relationship functioning and promote well-being. Based on the results the experience of marriage satisfaction is formed by the organizing concepts of connection, intentionality, purpose, sentiments of peace, authentic communication, and well-being. Results are discussed in association with existing research, as well as, Self-Determination, and Relationship Motivation Theories.

Comments

Rashida Spence

ORCID Scholar ID# 0000-0002-9612-642X

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