Research on Correlates of Marital Quality and Stability in Muslim Countries: A Review

Abstract

The study of marital quality and stability has attracted widespread attention over the past two decades, with considerable interest in identifying predictors of marital quality and (in)stability. Most of this research comes from Western countries, however, and similar research from other areas is only beginning to develop. In particular, little coherent literature in this area has emerged from Muslim countries. Understanding how marriages develop, succeed, and fail is important for families across the globe, and perspectives relying predominantly on Western data and research perspectives may be of limited use in other contexts. The current review summarizes the existing empirical literature on the basis of samples from predominantly Muslim countries; identifies existing evidence to reveal important gaps with particular emphasis on personal, interpersonal, and contextual factors; and explores potential mechanisms that might explain associations between these factors and indicators of marital functioning.

Strengthening Marriages in Egypt: Impact of Divorce on Women

“…In 2010, 39% of women who divorced in the UAE were between the ages of 20-25 [4]. In Egypt, most divorces among men happen between the ages of 30-35, and among women, the probability of getting a divorce is highest between the ages of 25-30 [7].…”

“…Educational attainment has been cited as a risk factor that influences marital stability. The higher the education, the more stable the marriage is [5][6][7]. Research shows that individuals with higher education show better judgement when selecting a spouse, are better at communication and managing conflict, as well as have more control over external interference particularly from family [5,7].…”

“…The higher the education, the more stable the marriage is [5][6][7]. Research shows that individuals with higher education show better judgement when selecting a spouse, are better at communication and managing conflict, as well as have more control over external interference particularly from family [5,7]. Moreover, in Jordanian studies found that among the main causes for divorce are lack of communication, incompatibility, lack of education, and a short courtship before marriage (Barhoum; Al Qaisi and Al-Majali; Al-Ghazwi as cited in [4]).…”

Associations of conflict frequency and sexual satisfaction with weekly relationship satisfaction in Iranian couples.

“…Specifically, people in Iran tend to endorse more collectivistic orientations and values (Hofstede, 2011), which often implies that individuals feel more obligations toward family members. The family is more likely to be involved in decisions concerning the couple relationship than in less collectivistic cultural contexts (Sabour Esmaeili & Schoebi, 2017), which likely affects how couples negotiate divergent goals and solve conflicts. Evidence for associations between conflict and relationship satisfaction in Iranian couples is scarce.…”

“…Women’s sexual lives are likely more restricted in Iran than in the Western world, but sexuality, and sexual satisfaction in particular, nevertheless play an important role for them. For women, low sexual satisfaction is a legitimate reason for divorce, even though the divorce law in Muslim marriages is more favorable for men in general (Sabour Esmaeili & Schoebi, 2017). Thus, reporting that her husband is incapable of sexually satisfying her (e.g., because of impotence) is one legal way for a woman in Iran to end an unsatisfying marriage (Sabour Esmaeili & Schoebi, 2017).…”