Department of Psychology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
J Consult Clin Psychol. 2011 Dec;79(6):814-25. doi: 10.1037/a0025874. Epub 2011 Oct 17.
This study examined predictors of relationship stability over 5 years among heterosexual cohabiting and married African American couples raising an elementary-school-age child. The vulnerability-stress-adaptation model of relationships (Karney & Bradbury, 1995) guided the investigation. Contextual variables were conceptualized as important determinants of education and income, which in turn influence family structure, stress, and relationship quality and stability. Religiosity was tested as a resource variable that enhances relationship stability.
Couples (N = 207) were drawn from the Family and Community Health Study. Variables assessed at Wave 1 (education, income, religiosity, biological vs. stepfamily status, marital status, financial strain, and relationship quality) were used to predict relationship stability 5 years later.
Higher levels of education were associated with higher income, lower financial strain, and family structures that research has shown to be more stable (marriage rather than cohabitation and biological-family rather than stepfamily status; Bumpass & Lu, 2000). These variables, in turn, influenced relationship quality and stability. Religiosity, an important resource in the lives of African Americans, promoted relationship stability through its association with marriage, biological-family status, and women's relationship quality.
Enhancing the stability of African American couples' relationships will require changes in societal conditions that limit opportunities for education and income and weaken relationship bonds. Programs to assist couples with blended families are needed, and incorporation of spirituality into culturally sensitive relationship interventions for African American couples may also prove beneficial.
本研究考察了在 5 年内维持异性恋同居和已婚的非裔美国夫妇及其学龄子女关系稳定的预测因素。本研究以关系的脆弱性-压力-适应模型（Karney & Bradbury，1995）为指导。背景变量被概念化为教育和收入的重要决定因素，而教育和收入又影响家庭结构、压力以及关系质量和稳定性。宗教信仰被视为增强关系稳定性的资源变量进行了测试。
从家庭和社区健康研究中抽取了夫妇（N=207）。在第 1 波评估的变量（教育、收入、宗教信仰、亲生家庭与继亲家庭状况、婚姻状况、经济压力和关系质量）用于预测 5 年后的关系稳定性。
较高的教育水平与较高的收入、较低的经济压力以及研究表明更稳定的家庭结构（婚姻而非同居以及亲生家庭而非继亲家庭状况；Bumpass & Lu，2000）相关。这些变量反过来又影响了关系质量和稳定性。宗教信仰是非裔美国人生活中的一个重要资源，它通过与婚姻、亲生家庭状况和女性关系质量的关联促进了关系的稳定性。
要增强非裔美国夫妇关系的稳定性，需要改变限制教育和收入机会并削弱关系纽带的社会条件。需要为有混合家庭的夫妇提供援助计划，将灵性融入针对非裔美国夫妇的文化敏感型关系干预措施也可能是有益的。
