I Do, and I Will: Effectual Religiosity May Strengthen the Triad Chord of Commitment for Women of Faith

Although religiosity is commonly linked to marital satisfaction in sociological research, few studies have examined how it strengthens marital commitment among women of faith. This study explored the perspectives of religious, heterosexual married women using interviews in the United States from 196 highly religious couples with successful marriages. Three core themes emerged: (1) personal commitment—including the decision to marry, religious beliefs and practices, and the need for effort and sacrifice; (2) moral commitment—highlighting sexual relations before marriage, promises made before God, family, and friends, and views on fidelity and divorce; and (3) structural commitment—emphasizing the role of a religious institution and faith community, belief that God is part of the union, and the importance of the family unit. Participants consistently described their religious beliefs as central to strengthening their personal commitment, their vows before others as reinforcing moral commitment, and their religious community and family as sustaining structural commitment. When combined, these three forms of commitment, deeply informed by lived religiosity, interact to foster marital resilience and flourishing.