Religious Homogamy and the Quality of Dating Relationships

Hannah Koch

Date of Award

5-26-2016

Document Type

Undergraduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Psy.D.

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Shelly Smith-Acuña

Second Advisor

Jamie Shapiro

Third Advisor

Scott Stanley

Keywords

Religiosity, dedication, confidence, relationship adjustment

Abstract

Research suggests that religiosity is a protective factor for married couples, but the effect of religion on romantic relationships, particularly unmarried relationships, is a topic that is often overlooked. It is possible that specifically religious similarity, or "homogamy," may matter more for relationship quality than other types of homogamy because of its importance to relationship quality in married relationships. The effect of individual-level and couple-level religiosity on several measures of relationship quality was examined among young adults in opposite-sex dating relationships (N = 469). Our results indicate that both shared attendance and shared religious worldview were important for future-oriented relationship variables such as confidence in the relationship's future and dedication to making the relationship work. However, shared religious worldview seemed uniquely important for the current evaluation of the relationship as measured by relationship adjustment. These results have important implications for romantic relationship development and partner choice.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Extent

35 pages

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