Marital Satisfaction and Stability: Efficacy of Counselling

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue II, February 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Marital Satisfaction and Stability: Efficacy of Counselling

ADEJARE, Toosin Adeyinka¹, OKOLIE, Benedicta Onuegbu², MUSA, Tabitha³, SHEHU, Nasir⁴, DALHATU, Hafsatu⁵

^1,3,4,5Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education & Extension Services, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
²Department of Educational Foundations, School of Education, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract: – This paper discussed the efficacy of counselling in marital satisfaction and stability in marriages. The paper covers some aspect of marriage, marital satisfaction, marital stability as a firm, steady well balance and healthy marital relationship between couple; as each member fulfills his/her role in the relationship, premarital counselling and marital counselling. Studies have shown that marriage has been a traditional component of family socialization, supported by religious and social guidance on mate selection and marital roles performance. The paper defined marital satisfaction as a mental state that reflects the perceived benefits and cost of marriage to a particular person and the important qualities of a relationship or marriages such as responsibilities of each person in the marriage, provision of food, procreation and support for each other opening up to new experience among others. The paper also discussed some factors that tend to influence marital stability and satisfaction such as attitudes, in-laws, communication, roles, family background, personalities traits among others. Many marriages today, end in divorce due to lack of marital satisfaction and stability. In spite of the couple’s attitude toward religiosity or the secular basis for their relationship and the efforts of psychologists, the divorce rates have continued to rise. Trends show an increase in the number of couples seeking assistance prior to marriage. Efficacy of marital counselling including helping couples understand expectations of marriage, the task of parenthood, understand the value of premarital laboratory testing (e.g. genotype), to distinguish between marriage and friendship and, understanding the realistic qualities of a good partner (e.g. loving, patience, dedication, caring and understanding). Marriage preparation strategies documented in professional literature advocate this as well. Effort couples put into their relationship is associated with satisfaction. Furthermore, counselling professionals, in growing numbers, suggested there are benefits to learning more about marriage stability and satisfaction.

Key Points: Marriage counselling; marital satisfaction, marital stability, Efficacy

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