How to Assess the Stability Status of Your Marriage

Abstract

The marriage institution ideally is expected to be stable, full of love and care for each other. However, the holy institution seems to be under attack from several quarters and is in serious problems as is evidenced by increased marital violence, high divorce rates, numerous separations and many other family problems. By all standards, the desire to marry or get married and hence stay in the institution is still statistically significant in all human kind. This study investigated perceptions of marriage counselors on protective factors of marriage stability, how to detect the stability status of any marriage and hence fix the marriage problem. It was a cross-sectional survey research design done under mixed method research approaches as well as document analysis. The sample comprised 123 participants drawn from church ministers, church elders, advocates of marriage and marriage counselors. A questionnaire developed by the researcher was used in data collection. Check list was used for filtering key themes from past document research analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics-means and percentages. Qualitative data was analyzed by synchronizing developing themes from research document analysis. Ethical considerations were strictly observed to the acceptable standards of behavioural sciences. Protective factors of marriage stability were identified as: Fidelity, sexual satisfaction, Respect and honor, presence of biological children of the desired sex, narrow difference in educational level between the married partners, financial ability of the couple especially the husband, ease of communication between the married partners, similarities in cultural attitudes and that of their close friends, dialogue conflict resolution approach, commitment to common spiritual beliefs, healthy and well groomed married partners especially the wife, creation and planning time for each other, loving intimacy, narrow age gap and legalizing the marriage. Marriage stability assessment tool was developed and generally accepted to be efficient in predicting the stability status of any marriage. The instrument can be used to diagnose any unique problem of any marriage and hence through competent counseling offered to willing marriage partners, their marriage can be rejuvenated to a near stable and happy institution.