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Help-Seeking for Marital Problems: Perceptions of Individuals in Strong African American Marriages

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Abstract

This exploratory study employed a qualitative approach and a strength-based framework to identify African Americans’ (N = 78) perceptions of help-seeking for marital problems in their strong marriages. Specifically, participants were asked the resources they would seek if marital problems arose, sex differences in willingness to seek professional help for marital problems, and their lived experience with help-seeking for marital problems. African American men and women most frequently cited religion/spirituality and family (immediate/extended) as resources for help during marital challenges. No significant difference was identified between men and women in willingness to seek professional help for marital problems. When discussing experiences with help-seeking for marital problems participants indicated that they considered the trustworthiness of the resource, typically relied on religion/spirituality, and preferred to keep their problems within their relationship. Results are discussed in terms of implications for researchers and marriage professionals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173540, Bozeman, MT, 59717-3540, USA

    J. Mitchell Vaterlaus

  2. Department of Family, Consumer and Human Development, College of Education and Human Services, Utah State University, 2705 Old Main, Logan, UT, 84322-2705, USA

    Linda Skogrand

  3. College of Human Sciences and Education, School of Social Work, Child and Family Studies, Louisiana State University, 323 Huey P. Long Field House, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803-4300, USA

    Cassandra Chaney

Authors
  1. J. Mitchell Vaterlaus
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  2. Linda Skogrand
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  3. Cassandra Chaney
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Correspondence to J. Mitchell Vaterlaus.

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Vaterlaus, J.M., Skogrand, L. & Chaney, C. Help-Seeking for Marital Problems: Perceptions of Individuals in Strong African American Marriages. Contemp Fam Ther 37, 22–32 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-014-9324-4

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