Tadesse, Sintayehu(PhD)Ghiley, Afework2018-06-252023-11-102018-06-252023-11-102006-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/3279The 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.encounseling - psychologyThesis