The Effect Early Marriage and Marital Stress Among University Students in USIM

Nor Hikmah Ngesan,Othman Ab Rahman

doi:10.33102/abqari.vol25no2.464

Abstract

This study aims to identify the effect of early marriage with marital stress among university students in USIM. Objectives of this study were to determine the effect of early marriage with marital stress among students in USIM, to investigate how the marriage couple students cope with the stress and, to determine the relationship between stress and marriage satisfaction. This research used Stress Scale (PSS) to measure the level of stress and Marital Satisfaction Scale (MSS) to measure marriage satisfaction. An interview also being used in this study in order to determine effect of early marriage with marital stress among students in USIM. The data were obtained, analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics Version 25.0 software that involved descriptive statistics analysis, Pallant scale, and Pearson correlation coefficient. The findings of the study indicate that the stress and marriage satisfaction of the respondents are at a moderate level, besides, these two variables have a very strong significance correlation within positive direction (r = 0.61, p < 0.01). Interview result demonstrated that the effects of early marriage put stress on the marriage relationship and coupled with other factors such as family member intervention, financial problems, and commitment of study.

Highlights

One of life’s most stressful events is marriage and some of them manage to uphold their marriage until old and some of them ended up with divorce
The financial problem is one the most critical problems that early married couple face. It is stated in the Department of Statistic Malaysia itself that the economy in Malaysia is going downhill and led to it may be impossible for young people to support their family needs in this economy
Sometimes the individual with moderate level of stress find it difficult to cope with the stress, pressure, and problems that may lead to other issues

Summary

Introduction

One of life’s most stressful events is marriage and some of them manage to uphold their marriage until old and some of them ended up with divorce. Understanding marital distress and its consequences, and developing effective marital therapy treatment programs, have been a major focus of individuals in the field of mental health In this age, early marriages have become trends towards young people. This is because today, many young people already have their own job or their money saving and are able to bear their own families When these young people get married early, there are many disadvantages that often happen in their lives. The financial problem is one the most critical problems that early married couple face It is stated in the Department of Statistic Malaysia itself that the economy in Malaysia is going downhill and led to it may be impossible for young people to support their family needs in this economy. This would make early marriage couple life more stressful and challenging that may lead to negative consequences

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion