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Document Details :

Title: The Role of Religion in Latino Marriages
Author(s): SKOGRAND, Linda , SINGH, Archana , HATCH, Daniel L.
Journal: Marriage, Families & Spirituality
Volume: 12    Issue: 2   Date: 2006   
Pages: 178-189
DOI: 10.2143/INT.12.2.2018327

Abstract :
This paper describes the results of a qualitative study that focused on understanding the role of religion in strong Latino marriages. The study provided an in-depth understanding about how religion contributed to the couples’ having a strong marriage. This study is part of a larger study where 25 Latino couples (50 individuals) who had strong marriages were interviewed to find out what made their marriages strong. In the larger study the authors found that religion was one of the components of strong marriages, along with communication and having children. These couples told the interviewers how religion provided them with guidance to lead a Christian life, which included guidance that was provided by religious teachings and religious leaders and guidance about behavior that helped them have strong marriages and family lives. Religion also provided guidance for raising their children and increased spiritual strength by connecting with a supreme being to handle problems. Couples also described how religion helped them be more committed to marriage because of the religious teachings. Finally, couples found that being a part of a religious organization provided them with a common set of values as a couple and social support from others who had similar religious views. The possible use of these findings for clergy and religious leaders is provided and the need for further research about this topic is discussed.

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