Date of Award

12-15-1997

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Michael Schock M.S.W. Ph. D.

Second Advisor

Curt Paulsen Ph. D.

Third Advisor

Elaine Amond M.S.W. L.I.C.S.W.

Abstract

Many individuals in early marriage do not experience a traditional honeymoon period. These distressed couples may resort to ineffective coping mechanisms that can cause greater marital dissatisfaction and instability. One effective coping method engaged or recently married individuals can use is professional help. This study assessed the intentions of engaged to be married and recently married individuals to seek professional help when faced with different types of marital problem areas. The study used a quasi-experimental design with volunteer participants from a suburban Catholic community who answered anonymous self-administered questionnaires. The results found that engaged and recently married individuals were not significantly different with intentions to seek professional help. Women were significantly more likely to seek professional help than men. The findings assist social workers in designing effective interventions for engaged and recently married individuals so that marital quality can be enhanced and marital dissolutions reduced.

Identifier

SC 11.MSW.1997.Borowiak.MR

Included in

Social Work Commons

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