Happily-Ever-After

 

Hello, when we get married, we believe in the happily ever after, fairy-tale life. Barton and Bryant (2016) insinuate that we fail to take into consideration the actualization of lasting marital bliss. The objective of their study was to highlight the external and internal factors that shape the trajectory of African American newlyweds’ marital stability (Barton & Bryant, 2016). In line with current research, financial strain is correlated with faster deterioration of the relationship and increased levels of marital instability (Barton & Bryant, 2016). The findings revealed increases in marital instability were a function of changes in marital processes (decreased spousal warmth) and not differences that defined couples (Barton & Bryant, 2016). For these couples who present to therapy, helping them proactively cope with the reduced levels of spousal warmth and appraisals of spousal behavior can offset the negative impact financial strain has on their perceptions of their partner (Barton & Bryant, 2016). Improving our understanding of the maintenance and deterioration of marital relationships will protect against the ideology of eternal marital bliss.

Barton, A. W., & Bryant, C. M. (2016). Financial strain, trajectories of marital processes, and african american newlyweds’ marital instability. Journal of Family Psychology, 30(6), 657–664. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000190