Shared Religious Beliefs, Prayer, and Forgiveness as Predictors of Marital Satisfaction

Abstract

Results of numerous studies have demonstrated a positive relation between religiosity and marital well-being. In this study, the authors examined direct effects on marital satisfaction of religious homogamy, prayer for spousal well-being, and forgiveness. They also examined the degree to which religiosity buffered against risks to marital well-being. The results indicated significant positive linear relations between each indicator of religiosity and marital satisfaction. Furthermore, religiosity moderated, or buffered against, the negative effects of risk factors; specifically, religious homogamy buffered against previous divorce; prayer buffered against having a high-stress marriage; and spousal forgiveness buffered

Relationship Maintenance: A Review of Research on Romantic Relationships

“…Prayer is described as a source of coping in a variety of contexts, including relationship violence (e.g., Neuman, Allen, & Wozniak, 2010), illness (see Hollywell & Walker, 2009), and emotion management (e.g., Sharp, 2010). In the context of intimate relationships specifically, praying for a partner is considered beneficial for individuals and couples who practice this ritual (see Olson, Marshall, Goddard, & Schramm, 2015). In fact, a number of studies have demonstrated that prayer focused on partners' well-being is positively associated with individual and relational well-being outcomes (see Fincham & Beach, 2014).…”

Couple Forgiveness and its Moderating Role in the Intergenerational Transmission of Veterans’ Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

“…Forgiveness and the various roles it play have been investigated vis‐à‐vis marital relationships, marital satisfaction, and the family atmosphere (e.g., Fincham et al., ; Gordon et al., ). It has been found, for instance, that forgiveness may lead to decreases in conflicts among married couples (e.g., Fincham, Beach, & Davila, ), and increments in relationship quality and overall marital satisfaction (e.g., Olson, Marshall, Goddard, & Schramm, ). Consistent with these observations, studies focusing on ex‐POWs’ families have found that couple forgiveness may result in higher qualities of marital relationship (e.g., Solomon, Dekel, & Zerach, ), and marital satisfaction (e.g., Dekel, ).…”

Qualities of Character That Predict Marital Well‐Being

“…Finally, religious beliefs and practices may also be relevant, as research has consistently found that marital quality is associated with religious beliefs and practices (Mahoney, ; Schramm, Marshall, Harris, & Lee, ). More specifically, research findings indicate that religious practices buffer against stress and risk to marital well‐being (Olson, Goddard, & Marshall, ; Olson, Marshall, Goddard, & Schramm, ). Most religions promote the development of positive character and virtues, which, in turn, promote positive behaviors in relationships.…”

“…In addition to our primary hypothesis, we examined interactions between each hypothesized quality of character and self‐reported marital stress. Previous research has found that certain character traits buffer, or protect against, the negative effects of stress (Olson et al, ; Olson et al, ). In contrast, Stosny () cautioned that positive effects of compassion may be diminished under stressful conditions.…”