Psychosocial Factors Influencing Marital Distress In Ghanaian Married Couples

Abstract

This study set out to examine how much distress men and women experience in their marital relationships, and what psychosocial factors are associated with marital distress. This was done by using the Marital Happiness Scale, and a questionnaire that measured demographic characteristics, as measuring instruments. Two research questions were answered and one hypothesis was tested. They covered the differences that exist in the marital distress experiences of husbands and wives, and psychosocial factors that impact marital distress. A total of eighty (80) married men and women comprising 40 husbands and 40 wives were conveniently selected to take part in the study. Descriptive statistics was used to answer research question one and two and a t- Tests was used to test the difference between husbands and wives in marital distress. The findings showed that wives tested more distressed than husbands in marriages. Certain psychosocial areas showed as areas of high distress in marriages such as communication, time spent together, sex relations, and friendliness.

Key words: Psychosocial, marital distress, married couple, Ghanaian