Work-life balance, communication, and marital satisfaction among married couples in Nakawa division, Kcca

Abstract

Marital satisfaction is important as an indicator of a marriage’s quality and its likelihood to meet the needs of the couple and their family. Inability to balance Work with Family Life may affect marital satisfaction. Changes in work conditions and life roles influenced by various economic, social and cultural factors had increased marital discord, spousal abuse and divorce rates in Nakawa division, KCCA. This study set out to examine how work-life balance and communication influenced marital satisfaction. The study assessed levels of work-life balance, communication and marital satisfaction. the degree to which work-life balance influenced marital satisfaction and how communication would modify the relationship between work-life balance and marital satisfaction among couples in Nakawa Division. The study adopted a cross-sectional correlational survey design where data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire among 372 married couples from various walks of life. The findings indicated that couples in Nakawa had good WLB and marital satisfaction. They got quality time from work and other life roles and met their marital roles. Despite their busy work schedules, respondents had good relations, made family decisions together and strove to meet each other’s emotional, sexual and material needs. Work-life balance had a significantly positive relationship and predicted marital satisfaction, (β =.43, p<.001). So, balancing work and other life roles led to better marital relations and marital bliss. Communication contributed (R2 Change = 0.42) more to the predictive potential of WLB on, MS, implying that good communication increases marital satisfaction. The influence of WLB on marital satisfaction can be enhanced through interventions that target improved communication among couples. Professional marital counselors and religious institutions should strengthen marital communication skills training for working couples. .