Sociocultural Correlates of Marital Harmony among Seventh-day Adventists in Akwa Ibom State

Married members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, like other married couples, are susceptible to prevailing trends in marital conflicts and disharmony. A new wave of socio-cultural exuberance is sweeping through the globe resulting in changing attitudes towards traditional gender roles, religious commitment, and attitudes towards marital fidelity. The current study aimed at determining the relationship between selected socio-cultural variables, specifically, gender roles, religiosity, and marital fidelity on marital harmony among married members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Akwa Ibom State Conference. Data was collected from a purposively selected sample of 621 married couples in the Akwa Ibom State Conference of the church (less 10, due to attrition). Research instrument used was the Marital Variables and Marital Harmony Questionnaire developed by the researchers. The questionnaire was validated and had a reliability index of .92 Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient. To answer the three research questions and test the null hypotheses for the study, Pearson Product Moment Correlational analyses was conducted on the field data. The results showed that gender role orientation, religiosity and fidelity in marriage all had significant correlations with marital harmony. Based on this, it was recommended, inter alia, that couples be assisted through counselling, public education and other attitudinal reorientation programmes to eschew prevailing negative socio-cultural trends and adhere to the divine mandate of their marriage in faithfulness. Keywords: Marital Harmony; Religiosity; Gender Role Orientation; Marital Fidelity; Marriage Counselling; Seventh-day Adventist DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/71-03 Publication date:July 31st 2023

Interpersonal Correlates of Marital Harmony Among Seventh-day Adventists in Akwa Ibom State

Being married and remaining married is a mark of honour and signals a personal capacity for responsibility. In recognition of this, the society (including the church) is favourably disposed to assigning positions of responsibility to persons who are honourably married than to those who are yet to marry or whose marriages have broken down. Beyond societal expectations, it is the desire of every married person to enjoy and not endure their marriage. This can only be realised where the interpersonal relationship between the couple is cordial and free from traits inimical to marital harmony. Sadly, many marriages are shrouded with various shades of interpersonal deficiencies such as poor interpersonal communication, sexual dissatisfaction, aggression, and financial impropriety. This correlational study analysed data from a sample of 611 married members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Akwa Ibom State to determine the relationship between four interpersonal variables and marital harmony among these couples. The results obtained showed that the four interpersonal variables (communication, sexual satisfaction, financial management, and anger management) all had significant relationships with marital harmony. Based on this, it was recommended, among other things, that couples be assisted through assessment and counselling to identify interpersonal skills deficiencies and make appropriate adjustments in order to foster harmony in their marriage. Keywords: Interpersonal Relationship; Marital Harmony; Communication Skills; Sexual Satisfaction; Financial Management; Anger Management; Marriage Counselling DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/71-02 Publication date:July 31st 202