Title:
THE STRATEGIES USED BY MARRIED COUPLES IN SELECTED PARISHES IN THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF NAIROBI TO INCREASE THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

Authors:
Kinoti Archangel Gabriel

Abstract:
This study was instigated by the urgent need for effective strategies for increasing the levels of psychological well-being among married couples in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (CAN), whose lack thereof has led to a steady increase in the number of divorce cases therein. The specific objective of the study was to explore the strategies used by married couples in selected parishes in CAN to increase their psychological well-being. The study was anchored on the Adlerian and Emotional Focused Theories and implemented using the concurrent convergent mixed methods research design. The study targeted the 19,828 Catholic faithful, who have exchanged their marital vows in CAN within the last 5 to 25 years. The sample comprised of 784 married men and women in couples and were selected by multistage sampling. A focus group discussion schedule was used to collect data, which was by thematic analysis method. Findings revealed married couples in the CAN relied on six major strategies to increase their levels of psychological well-being thus; maintaining constant good communication with one another, understanding and tolerating one another, seeking forgiveness from one another, seeking guidance and counseling services and seeking divine intervention. It is recommended that policy should be made by the government of Kenya through the office of the Attorney general by formulating a legal framework to ensure all newly married couples are trained on various aspects of psychological well-being so as to ensure stable marriage.

Keywords:
Strategies, Psychological Well-Being level, Married Couples, Nairobi Catholic Archdiocese

DOI:

Date of Publication: 10-04-2024