Sanctification, Stress, and Marital Quality

Abstract

This article contributes to recent work investigating the role of religious sanctification, that is, the process via which one's spouse or marital relationship is perceived as having divine character or sacred significance. We outline a series of theoretical arguments linking marital sanctification with specific aspects of marital quality. A recent probability sample of Texas adults is used to gauge the links between general religiousness, marital sanctification, and marital quality and functioning. Key findings include the following: (1) General religiousness bears a weak link with marital outcomes; (2) sanctification strongly predicts desirable marital outcomes; and (3) sanctification appears to buffer the deleterious effects of financial and general stress on marital quality. Study limitations and practical implications are discussed, and promising directions for future research are identified.Throughout much of the 20th century, social scientific research indicated that the institutions

Evangelicals’ Sanctification of Marriage through the Metaphor of Jesus as a Husband

“…Newlyweds who perceived spiritual attributes to their sexual relationships were more likely to report positive sexual outcomes like satisfaction, marital intimacy, and spiritual intimacy [23]. Sanctification was linked to more positive and less negative feelings toward marital partners, especially among couples experiencing financial stress [24]. Married couples experiencing perceived inequity in their marriages were less likely to experience marital dissatisfaction and conflict when they had higher levels of sanctification [25].…”

Financial Declines, Financial Behaviors, and Relationship Satisfaction during the Recession

“…As noted above, some studies have investigated relationship dimensions that help couples weather financial strain with their relationship quality intact. Communication, problem solving, religiosity, and generosity toward one's spouse have all be found to buffer couples' relationship quality from economic strain (Dew & Jackson, 2012;Conger et al, 1999;Ellison, Henderson, Glenn, & Harkrider, 2011). However, the moderating ability of sound financial management behaviors remains untested.…”

For Better or for Worse? Gender Ideology, Religious Commitment, and Relationship Quality

“…Following precedents set in previous research (Ellison, Burdette, and Wilcox ; Ellison et al. ; Faulkner, Davey, and Davey ; Stafford, Prabu, and McPherson ), we operationalize committed relationship quality with a composite measure of relationship satisfaction using a scale constructed from five measures. The 2007 BRS asks: “If you are married or living as married, please indicate how happy you are with certain aspects of your home life and relationship with your spouse: The amount of understanding your receive from your partner/spouse,” “The amount of love and affection you receive from your partner/spouse,” “The extent to which you and your partner/spouse agree about things,” “Your sexual relationship,” and “Your partner/spouse as someone to do things with.” Possible responses for each question were “Not too happy” (coded as 1), “Pretty happy” (coded as 2), and “Very happy” (coded as 3).…”

“…; Ellison et al. ; Stafford, Prabu, and McPherson ). Relatedly, committed believers tend to be embedded within communities of equally committed believers who may apply social pressure that provides accountability for committed couples, discouraging potentially negative relationship behaviors or breakup (Brown, Orbuch, and Bauermeister ; Glenn and Supancic ; Waite and Lehrer ).…”

“…; Call and Heaton ; Ellison, Burdette, and Wilcox ; Ellison et al. ; Furdyna, Tucker, and James ; Lichter and Carmalt ; Perry ; Sullivan ; Wilcox and Dew ). Recent research also suggests that the link between religious commitment and relationship quality applies across gender and race/ethnicity (Perry , ).…”