Marital Satisfaction: Factors for Black Caribbean and African American Couples Nivischi Ngozi Edwards Counselor Education UCF-CED 2nd Annual Faculty & Student Research Symposium April 15, 2009

Overview Inspiration for research focus “Research on marital satisfaction among Caribbean Blacks in the U.S. is virtually nonexistent.” (Bryant et al., 2008)

Introduction Marital satisfaction –Primary indicator of happy marriages –Data for White and Spanish speaking couples –Minimal data for African American and Black Caribbean couples Black Caribbean & African American Couples –Culturally distinct yet often lumped together

Overview Black marriages are declining in America Divorce is rising in Black America Black Caribbean population in the US –Grew 67% between 1990 & 2000 –More than 1.5 million US Blacks are Caribbean Impact of ethnicity and culture on marriage

Data National Survey of American Life –First major study of Black Caribbeans –Collected from 2001 – 2003 –Total: 1917 Participants –1248 African American –669 Black Caribbean –Marital satisfaction measurement

Caribbean Countries most Represented 6 Countries Represent 75.2% of sample –Jamaica32.0% –Haiti18.7% –Trinidad & Tobago10.5% –Guyana 5.6% –Barbados 4.7% –Puerto Rico 3.8%

Variables Independent –Marital Satisfaction Dependent - Ethnicity- Family Support - Education- Friend Support - Income - Religion/Spirituality

Research Question One What differences exist in marital satisfaction between Black Caribbean and African Americans? –Ho1: No difference in marital satisfaction exists between Black Caribbean (M=1.48, SD=.66) and African American (M=1.44, SD=.68). (ANOVA) –Results: Null supported, no difference exists (F=1.71, p=.19)

Research Question Two What differences exists in marital satisfaction among the different levels of education for Black Caribbean and African American participants? –Ho1: Marital satisfaction X Education for ALL (ANOVA, F=4.51, p=.004) –Ho2: Marital satisfaction X Education for Black Caribbeans (ANOVA, F=6.55, p=,000) –Ho3: Marital satisfaction X Education for African Americans (ANOVA, F=1.82, p=.14)

Tukey Post Hoc Analyses GroupEducationMeanSDp-value ALLALL >= BLACK C A R I B B E A N >=

Research Question Three What differences exists in marital satisfaction and income, religion and spirituality, family support, and friend support between Black Caribbean and African American survey participants? –Ho1: Income (MANOVA, p=.000) –Ho2: Religion & Spirituality (MANOVA, p=.013) –Ho3: Family Support (MANOVA, p=.40) –Ho4: Friend Support (MANOVA, p=.40)

Follow-Up Univariate ANOVAs Black Caribbeans reported significantly higher mean income (M=$31,978) than African-Americans (M=$25,844) but no significant differences in marital satisfaction. Black Caribbeans reported slightly higher levels of religion and spirituality (M=6.24) than African- Americans (M=5.97) but no significant differences in marital satisfaction.

Summary Key Findings: –Although marital satisfaction in Black Caribbeans is slightly higher than African Americans, the difference is not significant. –Black Caribbeans with 12 years education have significantly higher marital satisfaction than the other three age groups. No significant differences for African Americans. –Black Caribbeans have significantly higher mean income and mean level of religion and spirituality than African Americans. –Black Caribbeans reported greater mean family support and less mean friend support but differences were not significant.

Implications At this time, additional research is needed: From existing data set: –Examination of age, birth order, and duration of marriage. New research: –Survey Black Caribbean participants presently residing in the Caribbean and compare; –Differences in expectations between the groups

15. Nivischi Ngozi Edwards, M.A., LMHC, NCC, DCC Doctoral Candidate University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL