A Study of Assertiveness as a Psychological Factor Influencing Marital Distress in Ghana

Abstract

The reason for this study was to find out how much distress men and women experience in their marital relationships and whether assertiveness is associated with marital distress. This was done by using the Marital Happiness Scale and an Assertiveness Inventory, as measuring instruments. Four research questions were formulated and four hypotheses were tested. They covered the differences that exist in the marital distress experiences of husbands and wives and their assertiveness. A total of eighty (80) married men and women comprising 40 husbands and 40 wives were randomly selected to take part in the study. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) and t- Tests were used to analyse the data to bring out differences and to determine associations among variables. The findings showed that many persons who report distress in their marital relationships also test distressed on a scale of marital distress; that among this population, wives test more distressed than husbands in marriages. Findings also showed that assertiveness correlated positively with their marital distress. These findings have implications for clinical psychology in practice. That is, to work on the assertiveness skills of married persons if distress is to be minimised. It also has implications for married but distressed couples and couples contemplating marriage, that assertiveness skills should be adequate. Some recommendations were made to improve distressed marriages.