Qualidade Conjugal: Estudo de Caso de Ribeirinhos na Amaz nia

The objective of this study was to analyze the quality of the marital relationship of a couple of river dwellers from Marajó Island – PA, Amazon. The couple was interviewed about family life cycles (dating, birth of sons and daughters, and current life) and participated in Structured Situations of Investigation. Naturalistic observations were recorded in field journals. An analysis of the context, adaptive processes, and personal resources allowed the investigation of the quality of the relationship associated with the characteristics of the socio-cultural context of the river dwellers. The results suggest a relationship standard marked by mutual adjustment to the practices and the roles of local culture, although the dissatisfaction of the marital history is reported. The customs, sexually delimitated, were able to soften the obligation socially imposed in values and traditional expectations.