Abstract:
This study examined the influence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
and stressful life events (SLEs) on marital satisfaction and health-related
quality of life among married persons in Greater Accra, Ghana. The
concurrent mixed methods design was employed. A total of 400 married
persons were involved in the quantitative phase of the study. Five of these
participants were selected for the qualitative phase. The research instruments
were standardised questionnaires and an interview guide. Frequencies and
percentages, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, ANOVA, Multiple
Regression and Multiple Logistic Regression were used for the quantitative
data. The interpretative phenomenological approach was employed for the
qualitative data. Adverse childhood experiences and stressful life events were
found to significantly correlate negatively with marital satisfaction. There was
a significant difference in marital satisfaction with respect to cumulative
adverse childhood experiences. Married persons with more histories of ACEs
experienced greater decline in marital satisfaction. Adverse childhood
experiences and stressful life events significantly impacted marital satisfaction
negatively. Similarly, adverse childhood experiences and stressful life events
significantly impacted health-related quality of life negatively. However,
marital satisfaction impacted health-related quality of life positively. The
qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative findings. It is recommended
that clinical psychologists and psychotherapists receive trauma informed care
training. Also, single and married persons should be screened for and educated
on the impact of childhood trauma and traumatic stress on marriage and
HRQoL.
