Conflict Resolution Approaches Among African American Couples: An Emotional Security Perspective for an Intervention Replication Study

• Main Author: London-Johnson, Antoinette M
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2020
• Subjects: African American Studies; Behavioral psychology; Black studies; Communication; Individual & family studies
• ISBN: 9798569970407

In the present study, a replication was conducted based on the Cummings et al. (2008) study, in which, a sample of predominantly White couples participated in a 4-week psychoeducational program that found positive results including greater couple relationship satisfaction, better parenting, and improved child adjustment. The current study was conducted to test the effectiveness of an intervention with an all-Black sample of 36 African American (AA) married or cohabiting couples with at least one child age 9-17 years old. The goal of the study was to test if similar positive results could be obtained from an intervention designed to improve couples’ conflict resolution strategies. With that goal in mind, four research aims were explored. The first aim was to determine if participation in the intervention program increase observed constructive behaviors, decrease destructive behaviors, and increase resolution leading to greater conflict resolution within African American (AA) couples. The second aim was to determine if differences pre-test to pos-test upon completion of the intervention exist for treatment vs control groups related to parental knowledge, communication, and relationship satisfaction for men and women within AA couples. The third aim was to investigate if differences pre-test to pos-test upon completion of the intervention exist for treatment vs control groups regarding parent reports of improved parenting behaviors and child emotional security within AA families. The fourth aim was to explore the cultural acceptability of the intervention materials among AA couples. Using repeated measures ANOVA significant differences were found for the treatment and control group comparisons regarding conflict resolution behaviors and parental knowledge about martial conflict. No support was found related to differences pre-test to pos-test upon completion of the intervention for treatment vs control groups regarding parent reports of improved marital communication, relationship satisfaction, parenting behaviors, or child emotional security for men and women within AA couples. Lastly, support was found for the need to modify the current intervention to make the intervention more culturally acceptable. In general, these findings support the positive results that can be obtained from participating in the intervention including improved conflict behaviors, as well as, potential for greater effectiveness of the intervention with some modifications making the intervention more culturally relatable and acceptable to AA couples. This may be particularly important to enhance the relationship satisfaction, parenting behaviors, and child functioning within AA families. The current study highlighted the unique differences in culture and communication styles among Blacks that may impact the effectiveness of the intervention. The overall pattern of results in this dissertation suggest the Cummings et al. (2008) intervention yielded very different results for AA couples. The pattern of findings suggests that assumptions made in the theoretical or practical execution of the intervention may be inappropriate for AA families. A detailed contrast of the findings of this dissertation with those of the original study to highlight potential improvements in the intervention design or delivery more suitable for AA families is provided. Implications for future research and intervention design are discussed.