Uncovering beliefs embedded in the culture and its implications for practice: the case of Maltese married couples

Abstract

Given the low incidence of marriage breakdown in Malta, this study investigates the level of marital satisfaction among Maltese couples and how they manage conflict between them. One particular interest in conducting this study has been that of exploring how cultural beliefs shape marital relationships and to what extent Maltese clinicians can rely on the Anglo-American literature in their clinical work with married couples. Three hundred and fifty-four randomly selected couples answered a self-administered questionnaire simultaneously and separately. A number of findings, namely the influence of a child-oriented family in the level of marital satisfaction and the predominance of a constructive style of conflict resolution, differed from those we normally find in the Anglo-American literature. The study addresses the importance of taking into account the cultural context when working with couples. The implications for practice of the various beliefs embedded in the culture are highlighted.

Strengthening Connections in Interracial Marriages Through Pre-Marital Inventories: A Critical Literature Review

“…Maltese couples' style of conflict resolution, for instance, differs from norms of conflict resolution in Anglo-American culture (Abela et al 2005). While the woman demand/man withdrawal style of communication is seen as distressing for Anglo-Americans, it does not correspond with marital satisfaction for Maltese couples (Abela et al 2005). …”

“…The interplay between communication and emotional expression in a relationship, for example, varies amongst ethnicities (Abela et al 2005). Maltese couples' style of conflict resolution, for instance, differs from norms of conflict resolution in Anglo-American culture (Abela et al 2005).…”

“…PIs that fail to recognize that there are multiple ways of defining a successful marriage run the risk of perpetuating Eurocentric notions of a successful marriage, particularly when PIs, that are tested on and developed for white middle class couples, are applied unquestioningly to couples from different ethnicities. Findings from studies that solely utilize Caucasian couples as research participants, particularly Anglo-American couples, may not translate to all couples; consequently, these findings should be interpreted and applied cautiously to intercultural couples (Abela et al 2005).…”

The Cultural Relationship Interview Matrix: Four Activities for Couples

“…Chinese wives, on the other hand, may have preferred the same ascendancy not because it leads to personal satisfaction, but rather because a providing husband more really services many of the familial obligation and instrumental concerns that characterize marriage within that culture. (p. 122) Abela, Frosh, and Dowling (2005) explored the low incidence of marriage breakdown in the Mediterranean island of Malta. They particularly focused on the role of culture in relationships.…”

Clinical engagement of Canadian First Nations couples

“…From the outset, it is conceded that information pertaining to intervention First Nations 61 with couples from various ethnic groups is available (e.g. Abela et al, 2005;Guanipa et al, 2002;Singh et al, 2005;Wai-Yung, 2002) and may share some common ground with the FN couple engagement process.…”