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. 2020 Jan;46(1):110-123.
doi: 10.1111/jmft.12368. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Covenant Attachment: A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Christian Couples and God

Mark D Maxwell  1 , Sean D Davis  1 , Marianne M Miller  1 , Scott R Woolley  1
Affiliations

Covenant Attachment: A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Christian Couples and God

Mark D Maxwell et al. J Marital Fam Ther. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

The purpose of this constructivist grounded theory study was to develop a deeper understanding of the relational system of married couples and God. We interviewed nine marital couples from Christian denominations that reported having a strong relationship with each other and with God together. We used constructivist grounded theory techniques presented by Charmaz (2006) and analyzed emergent categories of behaviors, emotions, and cognitions to construct a theory and model of Christian marital couples and their shared relationship with God. We then compared and contrasted the results and theory to existing literature on attachment theory and theorized a shared attachment to God. We applied the theological concept of kinship covenant to the results in order to organize and situate the theory into a Christian framework. Finally, we discuss clinical, pastoral, and future research implications.

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References

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