A qualitative study of factors that contribute to satisfaction and resiliency in long-term African American marriages

The divorce rate for African American couples is higher than any other ethnic group. No studies were found that investigated Black people's ideas about the protective factors of their satisfying and resilient marriages. Instead, research has focused on issues surrounding divorce in this community. Therefore, it is essential to understand the contributing factors to lasting marriages. This study provided detailed information on how eight Black couples have achieved longevity and happiness. The research questions were: (a) 'How do long-term, happily married African American couples describe the elements that contribute to the happiness and longevity of their marriage?' and (b) 'Does Equity Theory explain the satisfaction and resiliency of these marriages?' A descriptive case study design was utilized with multiple cases. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with couples married from 25 to 52 years. Strauss and Corben's (1990) model of open coding was used to analyze the data and pattern matching was used to test the applicability of Equity Theory. Results indicated that the following factors contributed to successful marriages: commitment, trust, religion, similarity, communication, spending time together, love, understanding, being willing to forgive, and sexual activity. Findings were congruent with research studies conducted on stable and happy non-Black couples suggesting that race might not play a role in understanding the contributors of satisfaction and resiliency in long term marriages. Equity Theory received support from nearly half of the participants in this investigation. The aspects of the theory that they tended to agree with was sharing household chores, having emotional needs met, and possessing the opinion that marriage should consist of giving and taking equally. Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love might provide better theoretical support.