Factors that determine marital stability in Uganda

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish factors that influence marital stability among married women in Uganda. The study objectives were to determine the extent to which socio-economic status and demographic characteristics influence marital stability among married couples. The UDHS data of 10876 women on background factors that influencing marital instability among married couples in Uganda were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented using: Frequency tables and Percentages. Chi-square test (χ2) was used to test the significance level. Binary logistic regression was used at the multivariate level to determine the relationship between different demographic and socioeconomic forces influencing marital stabilities among ever married couples in different parts of Uganda. Findings showed that educated (OR=2.498, p=0.000) and wealthy (OR=1.112, p=0.000) respondents were more likely to report that marriage will not work and that their partners may desert them; this was mainly experienced by those who economically dependent upon their partners. Respondents who attained primary, secondary and higher education levels had increasing odds of marriage and separation compared to the women with no education. However the relationship is statistically significant. Results from the analysis show that women from rural areas had increasing odds (OR=1.508, p=0.000) of marriage and separation than urban women. The above table further indicates that in comparison to women from eastern region and women from northern Uganda had decreasing odds (OR=2.256, p=0.000) of marriage and separation. The relationship is statistically significant. Although most majority of the women agreed that religion played an important role in marital stability, what came out strongly as having influenced marital stability was nature of interpersonal relationship among the couples. The results also indicated that demographic factors are highly correlated with marital stability among married couples in Uganda. Based on the findings of this study, the researcher recommends that therapeutic social interventions like support groups and couple counseling be reinforced among married couples immediately after entering marriage institution. With these interventions in place; interpersonal relationship among the partners will be enhanced and hence their marriages will remain stable.