Marital dissatisfaction and perceived social support as predictors of depression among married individuals

Abstract

This study investigated marital dissatisfaction and perceived social support as predictors of depression among married individuals. The participants for this study comprised of 276 members of Catholic Men Organization (CMO) and Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of Awka Diocese, selected through the use of simple random sampling technique. Their age ranged from 24 to 55 years, with a mean of age of 46.12 and a standard deviation of 18.34. Instruments administered on them included Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS), Depression subscale (Scale D) of Symptom Distress Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Multiple Linear Regression Statistic was used to analyze the data collected. Result showed that the first hypothesis was not confirmed, and that the last three hypotheses were confirmed. Based on these findings, it revealed that while marital dissatisfaction was found not to be a factor positively predicting depression among married individuals in Awka Diocese, social support domains (e.g. family, friends, and significant others) were found to negatively predict depression among married individuals. Therefore, based on these results, it was recommended that married individuals should not only ensure that they seek for ways of making their marital experiences more positive in other to checkmate marital dissatisfaction, they should also endeavour to see that the three domains of social support present in their lives are positive as well. This should be so, for such positive nature of these variables will go a long way in preventing them from presenting with depression.

Appraisal Support Dynamics for Protestant Clergy and Their Spouses on Marital Satisfaction in Dagoretti South Sub-County Nairobi, Kenya

“…Nonetheless, other research has shown a connection between Appraisal support and marital happiness. According to research by Okoli, Ezeme, and Ofojebe (2019), couples that lack evaluation support are more likely to experience discomfort and have higher levels of marital unhappiness. Affirmation and positive feedback, among other characteristics, were found to increase marital satisfaction in a separate study by Njeri (2019).…”

Levels of Marital Satisfaction of Protestant Clergy and Their Spouses in Dagoretti South Sub-County Nairobi, Kenya

“…Both men and women are equally vulnerable to developing major depressive disorder if their marriage is strained. Okoli, Ezeme, and Ofojebe (2019) conducted research in Nigeria to find out if marital discontent and perceived social support are related to an increased risk of depression for married people. This research project involved a cross-sectional survey of the Catholic men's organization (CMO) and the Catholic women's organization (CWO) in the Awka Diocese.…”

“…Because of the pressure placed on clergy spouses to be strong, capable leaders in their homes, churches, and communities, some couples feel they have no choice but to hide the difficulties they are experiencing. Okoli, Ezeme, and Ofojebe (2019) claim that unhappiness in a marriage might have significant effects on both partners' physical and mental health. For instance, it raises the possibility of damaging conflict patterns.…”