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Married, Cohabiting, and Dating Couples Presenting for Couple and Family Therapy

Shannon, Samuel Tomas
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1355943711

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Human Ecology: Human Development and Family Science.
There is limited research on the nature and presenting concerns of different-sex cohabiting couples attending therapy. Research suggests that cohabiting and dating couples have lower levels of commitment, which makes their participation in therapy idiosyncratic (Smock, 2000). Information on this group of cohabiters and daters presenting for therapy would add to our knowledge of non-married intimate relationships in general, and provide implications for a population that is already participating in family therapy. Given the increasing number of individuals choosing a cohabiting lifestyle, studying this population is imperative in order to understand the changing nature of couple relationships in the US. The primary research question is what are the characteristics of cohabiting and dating couples presenting at therapy? A secondary question is whether therapeutic techniques traditionally used with married couples are equally viable with cohabiting couples? The sample includes two hundred-twenty-eight different-sex couples attending family therapy in a clinic at a mid-west university. Variables of interest include relationship type, relationship duration, relationship satisfaction, commitment, and the level of differentiation of self. From a social exchange perspective, married couples have more barriers to union dissolution, and may rely on societal standards to keep their relationship together despite relational difficulties.
Suzanne Bartle-Haring, PhD (Advisor)
44 p.
Families and Family Life; Individual and Family Studies; Therapy
cohabiting; couples and family therapy; satisfaction; commitment

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Shannon, S. T. (2012). Married, Cohabiting, and Dating Couples Presenting for Couple and Family Therapy [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1355943711

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Shannon, Samuel. Married, Cohabiting, and Dating Couples Presenting for Couple and Family Therapy. 2012. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1355943711.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Shannon, Samuel. "Married, Cohabiting, and Dating Couples Presenting for Couple and Family Therapy." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1355943711

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1355943711
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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.