Factors that explain marital stability: a study in Colombia and Mexico

Abstract

Divorce rate increases in Latin America and their impact on the society, makes it a priority to study marital stability factors. The objective of this study was to delve into the relevance of premarital education, attitudes towards marriage, religious commitment, conflict resolution styles and finance management in explaining marital stability. Quantitative, descriptive and correlational research with 783 respondents with at least three years of marriage, in Colombia and Mexico, of which 40 % were men and 60 % women of diverse ages and heterosexual marital union types. Results suggested that conflict avoidance conflict resolution style was the variable with most weight on explaining marital stability, for men, and women, in Colombia, while an attitude of searching for conflict was the most important and significant in a negative sense for Mexico. Men tended more to avoid conflict than women and adults over 42 years showed a higher religious commitment. Colombia and Mexico are countries afflicted by violence; thus, it is necessary to consider the promotion of conflict resolution styles from within marital relations and the family which may contribute to the wellbeing of spouses and reduction of intimate partner violence. There is a dire need to open a new chapter of constructive marital conflict resolution styles which may foster peace processes and the strengthening of marital and other relations in these countries. © (2024), (Centro Interamericano de Investigaciones Psicologicas y Ciencias Afines). All rights reserved.