The Role of Socio-demographic Variables, Sexual Relationship, Marital Stability, Marital Communication and Conflict Resolution in Marital Satisfaction Among Married Individuals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Intact and harmonious marital relationships are required not only for the mental health of the individual but also for children and thus, for the society in the broader sense. But unsatisfying and stressful marital relations lead to increased emotional disturbances and marital disruption. This study aimed to assess the role of socio-demographic, sexual relationship, marital stability, marital communication and marital conflict resolution in marital satisfaction among married individuals. The target population for this study was all heterosexual married individuals, legally bound by the state of marriage as husband and wife. Quantitative research design and a systematic sampling technique along with a simple random sampling technique were employed to select 326 households. Frequency and percentages, means, standard deviations, Pearson correlation, independent sample T-test, one-way ANOVA, and hierarchical multiple linear regressions were all used to compute sample statistic. In the hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, from the socio-demographic variables, only age and occupation type predicted significantly married individuals’ marital satisfaction, b = -.13, β = -.08 and b = 7.37, β = .09, respectively, p < .05. The result implies that age has a negative impact whereas occupation type has a positive impact on the marital satisfaction of married individuals. Sexual relationships, marital stability, marital conflict resolution, and marital communication were significant predictors of marital satisfaction, with other variables held constant, at p < .001. The most important predictors of marital satisfaction as the results of the study disclosed were sexual relationships followed by marital stability (b = .51, β = .28, and b = 1.04, β = .27, respectively, p < .001). Together all the significant independent variables in the model accounted for 74% of the variance in married individuals’ marital satisfaction and the model was significant, F (10,297) =45.83, p < .001. This study adds a sound, contextual and specific knowledge to the existing marriage counseling practices and theories as well to enhance or reduce factors for married individuals’ marital satisfaction.