RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPOUSAL SUPPORT AND MARITAL SATISFACTION AMONG CHRISTIAN COUPLES: A CASE STUDY OF TWO SELECTED CHURCHES IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose: There exists high rate of marital dissatisfaction due to marital conflicts, even among church couples. This study investigated the relationship between spousal support and marital satisfaction in Christian married couples in two selected churches in Nairobi County.
Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative research method and used a descriptive study research design.
Findings: The findings revealed a statistically significant strong positive correlation between marital satisfaction and spousal support.
Recommendations: The study concluded that spousal support was important to the quality of a marriage. This implies that the greater the qualities of spousal support in a marriage, the greater the quality of marital satisfaction. The study recommended that the church should create pre-marital counseling; and the content and duration of such pre-marital sessions be designed to allow adequate coverage of all critical topics necessary to ensure quality spousal support. Couples in distress marriages should be encouraged to seek therapy from marriage and family therapists who can facilitate them in handling issues that bring conflicts in their marriages at a more personalized individual level.
Keywords: Spousal Support, Marital Satisfaction, Christian Couples
References
Becvar, D. S., & Becvar, R. J. (1996). Family therapy: A systemic integration. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Bradsbury, T. N., Fincham, F. D., &Beach, S. H. (2000). Research on the nature and determinants of marital satisfaction: A decade in review. Journal of Marriage & Family, 62(4), 964-980.
Gottman, J.M. (2012). Why Marriages Succeed or Fail: And how you can make yours last. London: Bloomsbury Publishing plc.
Kerr, M. E. (1981). Family systems theory and therapy. Handbook of family therapy, 1, 226-264.
Lulofs, R.S., & Cahn, D.D. (2000). Conflict: From theory to action. Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon.
Mohland, M. (2011). Conflict and Satisfaction in Romantic Relationships. Master‘s Theses, 154. https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses/154.
Okello, M. O. (2005) Factors influencing marital conflict among church wedded couples in Pentecostal churches in Masinga Division, Machakos District, Kenya. (Master Theses, Kenyatta University). Retrieved from https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/2310.
Okhakhume, A.S., Rotimi, O. & Aroniyiaso, O. T. (2016). Influence of socioeconomic status and marital satisfaction on domestic violence among couples living in Nigeria. International Journal of Applied psychology, 6(6), 179-184.
Onyango, N. (2013). Uncommon solutions to common problems. Nairobi: Flame keepers.
Tolorunleke, C.A. (2014). Causes of Marital Conflicts Amongst Couples in Nigeria: Implication for Counselling Psychologists. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 140, 21-26.
Yucela, D., &Koydemirb S. (2015). Predictors of marital satisfaction in North Cyprus: Exploring the gender effects. Journal of Family Studies, 21 (2), 120– 143.doi.10.1080/13229400.2015.1017908.
Zeidner, M., &Kloda, I. (2013). Emotional intelligence (EI), conflict resolution patterns, and relationship satisfaction: Actor and partner effects revisited. Personality and Individual Differences, 54(2), 278-28.