Influence of Conflict Resolution Styles on Marital Stability Among Married Individuals at St. Monica Catholic Church, Kitengela, Kajiado County, Kenya
- October 6, 2021
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: IJRISS, Psychology, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue IX, September 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Flora Nduta Njui, Dr. Rose Gichuki, Fr. Hubert Pinto
Department of Counselling Psychology, Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Institute of Youth Studies, Tangaza University College, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Abstract: Conflict is normal in close relationships like marriage. For the marital relationship to be stable, it is important to understand the cause of the conflict, the conflict resolution behavior and its impact on the marital relationship. Data was collected from 106 females and 94 males aged between 20 and 60 years at St. Monica Catholic Church, Kitengela County Assembly Ward in Kajiado County, Kenya using the Thomas Kilmans Conflict resolution styles questionnaire. The study used a descriptive correlational research design, data collected through stratified and random sampling and analysed by use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results showed that the conflict resolution styles; accommodation, collaboration, competition, compromise, avoidance have a significant effect on the marital relationship. Collaboration was also correlated with the highest relationship stability while Avoidance showed a negative correlation suggesting that the continued use may result in reduced marital stability. There was a very slight difference in the ratio of conflict resolution patterns used by male and female. Results showed that children and money were the most common causes of conflict among couples and age at marriage was correlated with marital stability. The study recommends that conflict resolution skills are important in the stability of marital relationship and should be incorporated in premarital counselling in churches and other institutions. There is also need to create awareness to groups and families periodically on conflict and conflict resolution
Key Words: Marriage, conflict, marital conflict, marital stability, conflict resolution styles
I. INTRODUCTION
Intimacy in marriage is associated with vitality to many individual’s wellbeing. Individuals enter into marriage with certain expectations, wants, needs and beliefs (Davies, P. T. (2010). When these expectations are not met, disagreements occur which culminate into fighting, quarrelling, maltreatment, emotional stress, neglect, lack of affection, divorce and separation (Falcke, Wagner, & Mosmann, 2013). This is a concern for institutions and churches like St. Monica Catholic Church in Kitengela, who offer support to married individuals and families when they encounter serious conflict.
Marital discord and instability have serious effects on children, husbands and wives as well as on the general society (Dimkpa, D., & Maciver, J. (2012). Marital discord and instability may lead to distress, depression and negative attitude in parents, which in turn affects parenting styles and interaction with the children. A home environment that is
