In partial fulfillment of the requiremenisfor, the degree of master of arts in counseling - psychology
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Date
2006-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
The primary purposes of this study were to examine the major sources of
marital problems and resolution mechanisms. In pursuit of these objectives,
data were collected from different sources by using a variety of tools.
In the present study a total of 210 purposefully selected participate were
involved.
Trained data collectors administered a questionnaire prepared by the
investigator for 200 (105 male and 95 women) participants in the three study
centers in Addis Ababa namely: Me nlik Preparatory high School, Selam Health
Center and Tropical College of Medicine. Focus group discussions were also
conducted with 10 elderly who spent more than twenty years in resolving
disputes among couples.
The statistical analysis employed in the present study consists of both
percentage and chi- square. Moreover, qualitative analyses were employed to
examine data gathered through focus group discussions.
According to the results of this study, psychological factors were found to be
one of the major sources of marital problems. Mental cruelty, lack love,
excessive demand and unavailability of the spouse were sources of marital
problems categorized under psychological factors. According to the findings of
this study, there is no significant differences in reported psychological factors
that may be attributed to variation in sex(Chi-Square = 3.25,df=1) and variation
in duration ofmarriage(Chi-Square = 2.83,df=2), P< 0.05.
External factors were also found to be the other major sources of marital
problem. Interference by in laws, neighbor, friends, loyal to kin, financial
handling of the family and social disapproval were sources of marital problems
categorized under external factors. According to the results of this study, there
is no significant differences in reported external factors that may be attributed
to variation in sex(Chi-Square = O. 76,df= 1) and variation in duration of
marriage(Chi-Square = 0.45,df=2) P< 0.05.
The other major source of marital problem according to the findings of this study
was sex related factors . Sexual incompatibility, lack of sexual satisfaction,
reluctance or refusal of coitus and inconsiderateness w ere sources of marital
problems categorized under external factors. According to the results of this
s tudy, there is no significant differences in reported sex related factors
that may be attributed to variation in sex(Chi-Square = 1.63, df= 1 ) and variation
in duration ofmarriage(Chi-Square = 2.23,df=2) P< 0.05.
The findings of this study depicted the coping mechanisms used in resolving
marital problems. Thus, avoidance and competing were the least employed
coping mechanisms.
The study made practical recommendations aimed at preventing the family unit
from disintegration.
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Keywords
counseling - psychology