Scholarly Communications Project

Document Type:Dissertation
Name:Virginia Hamlin-Jones
Email address:rtjones@vt.edu
URN:1998/00373
Title:The Engagement and Impact of Relational Maintenance Behaviors in African-American Dual-Career Couples
Degree:Doctor of Philosophy
Department:Family and Child Development
Committee Chair: Dr. Gloria Bird
Chair's email:birdfcd@vt.edu
Committee Members:Thomas Hohenshil
Victoria Fu
Michael Sporakowski
Cosby Rogers
Keywords:Relational Maintenance, African-American, Dual-Career
Date of defense:April 10, 1998
Availability:Release the entire work for Virginia Tech access only.
After one year release worldwide only with written permission of the student and the advisory committee chair.

Abstract:

The Engagement and Impact of Relational Maintenance Behaviors in African-American Dual-Career Couples by Virginia Hamlin-Jones Department of Family and Child Development ABSTRACT Using individual and couple interviews, this qualitative work examined relational maintenance behaviors of 13 African-American dual-career couples. Findings reveal that study participants employed a variety of routine and strategic behaviors which they identified as relevant to maintaining marital satisfaction and stability. Couples distinguished between strategies in their daily interactions and those implemented for the long-term sustainment of their marriages. Couples also engaged a series of repair behaviors designed to restore the marital relationship once a transgression occurred. A new category of maintenance was discovered as useful for these African-American couples -- seek a spiritual connection. Each finding is discussed in regard to how it advances understanding of relational maintenance behaviors.

List of Attached Files

etd.pdf

At the author's request, all materials (PDF files, images, etc.) associated with this ETD are accessible from the Virginia Tech network only.

The author grants to Virginia Tech or its agents the right to archive and display their thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University Libraries in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. The author also retains the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation.