Relationship between Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Satisfaction in Interpersonal Relationships among Consecrated Religious in Catholic Higher Education Institutions in Lang’ ata Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

While the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and satisfaction in interpersonal relationship has been intensively and extensively investigated, literature review suggests that researchers have paid less attention on consecrated religious. As such, the current study sought to investigate the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and satisfaction in interpersonal relationships among consecrated religious in Catholic higher education institutions in Lang’ata Sub-County, Kenya. The study employed a quantitative paradigm to collect data and analyze it. A correlational research design was utilized. Proportionate stratified random sampling method was used to select 329 participants that took part in the study. The study was based on the Big Five Model and the Fundamental Interpersonal Relationship Orientation theory. Data was collected using the Big Five Inventory and the Relationship Assessment Scale and analyzed using both descriptive and correlational analysis. The study found out a weak negative relationship between age and satisfaction in interpersonal relationships (r=-.025, p>0.05). Similarly, there was also weak positive relationship between gender (r=.049,p>0.05), education level (r=.063, p>0.05), stage of religious life (r=.138, p<0.05), duration in religious life (r=.058, p>0.05) and satisfaction in interpersonal relationship. The study concluded that there was no significant relationship between most of the socio-demographic factors and satisfaction in interpersonal relationships. This is because only stage of religious life had a statistically significant relationship (r=.138, p=.019) with satisfaction in interpersonal relationship among the respondents. The study recommended that future researches can adopt qualitative research design approach to explore more of this phenomenon.