Relationship between conflict resolution styles and marital satisfaction among couples in Nairobi city county, Kenya
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Date
2025-01
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Marriage is expected to be a lifetime commitment. Generally Kenyan couples report less marital satisfaction which may lead to painful process of divorce. Research on predictors of Marital Satisfaction (MS) posits that resolving conflicts improves interpersonal skills. Interpersonal skills positively influence marital satisfaction while low marital satisfaction contribute to divorces. Divorce rates have declined in countries like United States and Germany yet, data show divorce figures are still high. Kenyan population census (2019) shows that 5.5% of total households were headed by persons who were either divorced or separated, which is approximately 661,628 households. Research show that conflicts and conflict resolutions are determinants of marriage satisfaction. This study aimed to determine the relationship between Conflict Resolution Styles (Compromise CRS, Avoidance CRS, Accommodation CRS, Collaboration CRS, and Competition CRS) and marital satisfaction among couples in Nairobi City County. Research assumed that inability to resolve marital conflicts amicably or manage post-conflict experiences influence a person's perception of their marriage relationship. Studies on how conflict resolution styles influence marriage satisfaction are yet to be extensively conducted. A Correlational study design was used. Target population constituted couples in 858,926 households within Nairobi City County. Stratified and proportional simple random sampling were used to sample sub counties and households respectively. Yamane’s formula (1967) was used to calculate sample size (400 households) from which 200men and 200 women were purposely selected to balance gender representation. Data collection was through structured self-reported questionnaires. Modified Conflict Resolution Strategies Scale (CRSS) and Marital Satisfaction Index (MSI) were incorporated into the questionnaire. Data analysis and preparation included editing and handling blank responses. Blanks were handled through imputation or being left out if less than 5% or more than 5% respectively as a rule of thumb. Data coding, categorizing and keying into the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23 was done. Descriptive statistics obtained included percentages and frequencies. Pearson’s correlation was used to analyze inferential statistics. Findings showed the five conflict resolution styles (collaborative, compromise, competitive, accommodation, and avoidance) are used among couples living in Nairobi City County. A majority 48% had high level of marital satisfaction, 40% moderate level of marital satisfaction, and 12% reporting a low level of marital satisfaction. Majority of couples using different CRSs showed moderate level of use as follows competition (63.3%), compromise (61.3%), accommodation (78.8%), and avoidance (60.8%) while, 48.5% majority showed high level of use of collaboration conflict resolution style. Study findings showed a positive relationship between each of the conflict resolution style (collaboration, compromise, accommodation, avoidance, and competition where rs(398) = .465, p < .05, r s(398) = .203, p < .05, rs(398) = .179, p < .05, rs(398) = .152, p < .05, and rs(398) = .154, p < .05 respectively) and marital satisfaction. Collaboration style related more strongly to marital satisfaction than other styles. Findings indicate that each respondent was satisfied with the method they applied to resolve conflicts leading to marital satisfaction. These findings could benefit couples and therapists in conflict resolution yet, individuals may choose what works best for them during a discord.
Description
A research project submitted to the School of Law, Arts and social sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Arts (Counselling Psychology) of Kenyatta University, January 2025
Supervisor.
Dr. Phelista M. Musili