Marriage is the foundation of modern society and has always been present in most civilizations. Marriage is associated with many positive health outcomes and is encouraged across most racial/ethnic groups. According to Sbarra, Law, and Portley (2011), the social institution of marriage has changed significantly since the 19th century, particularly in the manner in which it can be terminated. Married African American or Black men are happier, earn more money, are less likely to face poverty, and choose healthier behaviors than their divorced counterparts (Bachman, Clayton, Glenn, Malone-Colon, & Roberts , 2005). The opposite is true for black women who appear to be the only subgroup that does not benefit from universal health care and other benefits derived from marriage (Bachman et al., 2005). This paradox of marital advantages has many implications, including lower martial satisfaction and divorce. In the 21st century, divorce has become commonplace not only in the United States, but in many parts of the world. Franklin and Boddie (2004) reported that within ten years, approximately 40 to 50 percent of American marriages end in divorce. In 2009, the divorce rate in the United States was 3.6 per 1,000 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). However, divorce is not only a social problem, but it has serious health consequences. Divorce has been extensively researched and is considered an adverse event (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). Adverse events such as personal or parental divorce have been associated with many diseases and conditions, including substance abuse, depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and premature mortality (Sbarra, Law, & Portley, 2011; CDC , 2009). According to the US Census Bureau (2010), the...... middle of document ......Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Stambaugh, SE, Hector, MA, & Carr, AR (2011). How I remember my parents' divorce: A phenomenological investigation. Issues in mental health nursing. 32, 121-130. doi.10.3109/01612840.2010.531520Turney, L., & Pocknee, C. (2005). Virtual focus groups: New frontiers in research. InternationalJournal of Qualitative Methods, 4(2), article 3. Retrieved from http://www.ualberta.ca/~iiqm/backissues/4_2/pdf/turney.pdfUnited States Census Bureau. (2010). The black population. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/prod/cen201/briefs/c2010br-06.pdfUnited States Census Bureau. (2009). Number, timing and duration of marriages and divorces: 2009. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p70-125.pdfVisions Anew. (2010). Divorce support groups for women. Retrieved from http://www.visionsanew.org/supportgroups.html