INFLUENCE OF ETHNICITY ON MARITAL SATISFACTION AMONG COUPLES IN INTERCULTURAL MARRIAGES, KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Intercultural marriages are on the rise. Similarly, heterosexual, monogamous, intercultural couples may face exclusive constraints originating from divergent ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to find out the influence of ethnicity on marital satisfaction among couples in intercultural marriages in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study was hitched on Bowen Family System Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT). The research design adopted in this research was convergent mixed methods research design. Target population for the study was 11,028 individuals in intercultural marriages. The Snowball sampling was applied to select 99 participants. Pertinent items were adapted from Multiple Heritage Couple Questionnaire (MHCQ). Quantitative data in this study was analysed through descriptive statistics to attain means and standard deviation. Inferential statistics used linear and multiple regression analysis. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25.0 assisted to analyse data fast and efficiently. Qualitative data was simultaneously analysed thematically. Authority to embark on the study was sought from Institutional Review Board, National Council for Science and Technology and Kiambu County Government, Kenya. Results showed that ethnicity has a positive, significant influence on marital satisfaction (β = 0.402, p = 0.040) among couples in intercultural marriages. This implies that an increase in satisfaction with ethnicity positively increases marital satisfaction by 0.402. This study recommended that policy makers cultivate strategies that escalates visibility and awareness of mental health services. The study further recommended more research by mental health scholars on the influence of ethnicity on marital satisfaction among intercultural couples to enhance understanding that is essential for couples’ marital management which augments satisfaction.