Date

2-13-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Seigel Bartley

Keywords

marriage, couples, money management, premarital counseling, clergy

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative research study was to explore how African American clergy members described their experience of providing premarital financial counseling to engaged couples. Research indicates that financial issues are a significant source of conflict for couples and rank among the leading causes of divorce (Scott et al., 2013; Hawkins et al., 2012). Numerous studies also reflect couples' perceptions of counseling interventions, including their participation and benefits. However, the literature is limited concerning the perspectives of clergy who offer premarital financial counseling (Halley et al., 2011). Given the influence of money on relationships and the biblical role and responsibility of clergy in supporting couples during marriage preparation, it was vital to understand the clergy's viewpoints on this issue. The central question was: How do clergy help couples understand the role of money in their lives and align their financial values and practices during premarital counseling to promote a successful marriage? A biblical worldview and Gottman’s (1994) cascade model of marital conflict and dissolution provided the theoretical framework for exploring this study. The main premise of this model is to help couples recognize how negative communication patterns can influence the trajectory and development of their marital relationships. The study gathered data through semi-structured interviews with 12 African American clergy members and analyzed the data using thematic analysis.

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