Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

“This isn’t a fairy tale”: An exploration of marital expectations and coping among married women

Faubert, Kandice Michelle

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science, Miami University, Family and Child Studies.
Holding unrealistic expectations is a significant risk factor for marital distress and divorce. Further exploration concerning these unrealistic expectations will provide greater understanding of which marital expectations are detrimental and how married individuals cope when their expectations go unfulfilled. Participants were 10 married women who had never been divorced or separated. In-depth interviews were used to explore participants’ descriptions of marital expectations, what expectations they identified as harmful and helpful and the ways they handled unmet marital expectations. An inductive approach to data analysis was employed. Data analysis resulted in the identification of multiple themes: Everything Happy, A Companion for Life, You Are Never Going to Have Perfection, Understanding We’re Normal, Expect to Work through it: Adjusting and Accepting, and Staying Connected through Communication. These findings demonstrate that initial martial expectations can be adapted to become more realistic through communication, acceptance, and willingness to adjust one’s marital expectations.
M. Elise Radina, PhD (Committee Chair)
Charles Hennon, PhD (Committee Member)
Katherine Kuvalanka, PhD (Committee Member)
40 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Faubert, K. M. (2008). “This isn’t a fairy tale”: An exploration of marital expectations and coping among married women [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1226116928

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Faubert, Kandice. “This isn’t a fairy tale”: An exploration of marital expectations and coping among married women. 2008. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1226116928.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Faubert, Kandice. "“This isn’t a fairy tale”: An exploration of marital expectations and coping among married women." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1226116928

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)