Perceptions of Marital Dissatisfaction Among African American Couple

African Americans experience greater rates of marriage dissatisfaction than do other ethnic groups. However, research on perceived coping, attachment, and socioeconomic factors primarily focus on Caucasian experiences. The purpose of this study was to determine if coping, attachment, and socioeconomic influences were contributors to perceptions of marriage dissatisfaction for African Americans. The study's theoretical foundation explored attachment-style perceptions of dissatisfaction. A phenomenological method was used to understand how attachment, coping, and socioeconomic factors contribute to marital dissatisfaction and to determine the type of emotional behaviors that indicated dissatisfaction. A sample of 7 married African American individuals was recruited through a local community church. Interview data regarding the perceived dissatisfaction experiences and coping strategies in African American marriages were inductively analyzed. Findings revealed the absence of being happy, inability to communicate, mediating differences, family issues, and socioeconomic concerns as contributors to their perceived marriage dissatisfaction. Findings also suggested that their dissatisfaction stemmed from coping, attachment, and socioeconomic concerns. These emergent themes are not unique from literature among other ethnic groups, suggesting a shared understanding of marital satisfaction and dissatisfaction among all individuals. These findings may bring about positive social change by broadening the scope of discussions among social scientists and mental health professionals about marital satisfaction across racial and ethnic groups.