Marriage preparation, pastoral accompaniment, and relationship quality among migrant and intercultural couples in the Netherlands

Ward Biemans

doi:10.25167/FF/5085

Published: 2024-01-27

Vol. 13 (2023)

Marriage preparation, pastoral accompaniment, and relationship quality among migrant and intercultural couples in the Netherlands

drs. Ward Biemans SJ

Family Forum

Section: Wsparcie Rodziny / Family Support

https://doi.org/10.25167/FF/5085

Abstract

This quantitative survey among migrant and intercultural couples in the Netherlands investigates the relationships between marriage preparation, pastoral accompaniment and relationship quality. Relationship quality may be negatively influenced by a process of cultural transition, by instability of the relationship itself or by underdeveloped communication skills between partners. Participants (n=223) have been married in the Catholic Church between 1995 and 2021. Correlations between various religious and spiritual activities and relationship quality have been calculated through linear regression analysis. Results show that overall, migrant couples and intercultural couples appreciate a more intensive, professional, and welcoming Marriage and Relationship Education (MRE) and pastoral accompaniment after marriage. It is also concluded that seeking reconciliation after a conflict (r=0.361) and experiencing forgiveness from one's spouse (r=0.188) are significantly associated with a higher perceived relationship quality. Finally, data indicate that migrants with a non-Western cultural background show a significant pattern of cultural defence (μ=-0,375) in comparison to Dutch people.

Keywords:

marriage accompaniment, migrants, intercultural couples, relationship quality, integration

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Biemans, W. (2024). Marriage preparation, pastoral accompaniment, and relationship quality among migrant and intercultural couples in the Netherlands . Family Forum, 13, 153–171. https://doi.org/10.25167/FF/5085

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drs. Ward Biemans SJ

w.j.a.biemans@uvt.nl

Affiliation:

Tilburg School of Catholic Theology Netherlands

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Ward Biemans (* 1971) is a Dutch priest from the Society of Jesus. He is an external PhD-student at Tilburg University, Tilburg School of Catholic Theology. Currently he is working on a practical theological research on pastoral accompaniment of migrant and intercultural couples before and after marriage in the Catholic Church in the Netherlands. In 2016, he published: The Heart and the Abyss – Preventing Abortion (Ballarat: Connor Court, 390 p.) E-mail and ORCID: w.j.a.biemans@uvt.nl; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3971-7717