Relationship between Collaboration Conflict Resolution Style and Marital Satisfaction among Couples in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Mary Wanjiku Ngugi, MA Counseling Psychology; & Phelista Marura Musili, Ph.D., Kenyatta University

Marital satisfaction is key to fulfilling relationships, yet many Kenyan couples report dissatisfaction Effective conflict resolution and interpersonal skills strongly predict marital satisfaction, while low satisfaction often leads to dissolution. Despite declining divorce rates in some countries like Germany, divorce remains prevalent globally. The Kenya National Bureau of statistics shows that about 5.5% of households are headed by divorced or separated individuals. Research has shown increase in divorce rates and separation in Nairobi County. There is need to enhance marriage satisfaction to alleviate divorces. This study examined the relationship between collaboration conflict resolution style and marital satisfaction among couples in Nairobi City County. The study hypothesized that the inability to resolve marital conflicts or manage post-conflict experiences affects perceptions of marriage. The study utilized a correlational study design. Stratified and proportional simple random sampling were used to sample sub counties and households respectively. The study targeted 858,926 households with married couples in Nairobi County. Some 400 households were sampled using Yamane’s formula from which 200 men and 200 women were purposely selected to ensure balanced gender representation. Data was collected using structured self-reported questionnaires. Modified Conflict Resolution Strategies Scale (CRSS) and Marital Satisfaction Index (MSI) were incorporated into the questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine relationship between the variables. Results revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between collaboration conflict resolution style and marital satisfaction, r _s (398) = .465, p < .05. The findings of this study could be used to guide marriage counsellors and developers of conflict intervention programs for couples. Since the relationship is positive, marriage counselors can consider using conflict resolution as a strategy to improve marital satisfaction which eventually may decrease cases of divorce.

Keywords: Marriage, Marital dissolution, Marital Satisfaction, Conflict, Collaboration Conflict Resolution.