Marital Satisfaction, Conflict Resolution Styles, and Religious Attendance Among Latino Couples Using the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model

• Published in: The Family journal (Alexandria, Va.) Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 215 - 223
• Main Authors: Stinson, Morgan A., Bermúdez, J. María, Gale, Jerry, Lewis, Denise, Meyer, Andrea S., Templeton, G. Bowden
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-07-2017; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Church attendance; Conflict resolution; Couples; Family therapists; Family work relationship; Hispanic Americans; Hispanic people; Interdependence; Latin American cultural groups; Marital satisfaction; Marriage; Religion; Religious participation; cultural diversity; culture; couples
• ISSN: 1066-4807; 1552-3950
• DOI: 10.1177/1066480717710645

Research related to the process of communication among couples is central to the work of couple and family therapists. This study examines the relationship between couple’s conflict resolution styles, weekly church attendance, and marital satisfaction. Specifically, we surveyed 191 Latino couples using Gottman’s typology of conflict resolution styles (e.g., validator, avoidant, and volatile) to identify which style predicted marital satisfaction for both partners. Using the actor–partner interdependence model, we find a multifaceted picture of how partner’s conflict resolution style influences theirs and their partner’s marital satisfaction.