Relationship between Childhood Trauma and Marital Satisfaction among Married Individuals in Ngando Location, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between childhood trauma and marital satisfaction among married individuals in Ngando Location, Nairobi County, Kenya. The study objectives were to investigate the prevalence of different types of childhood trauma among married individuals, to assess the levels of marital satisfaction among married individuals, and to examine the relationship between childhood trauma and marital satisfaction among married individuals in Ngando, Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was guided by the attachment theory and structural family theory and employed a correlational survey design. A sample of 167 participants was drawn using the cluster sampling technique from two selected churches in Ngando Location, Sacred heart catholic church and PCEA Tumaini church. Within each cluster a census approach was employed to include all eligible participants. Data for the study were collected through the use of standardized tools: Childhood Trauma Questionnaire measuring childhood trauma and the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction (EMS) assessing marital satisfaction. The findings revealed a high prevalence of childhood trauma across all five subscales: physical neglect 79.3%, physical abuse 70.0%, emotional neglect 69.3%, sexual abuse 62.9%, and emotional abuse 55.7%. Physical neglect emerged as the most prevalent form of childhood trauma experienced by participants. In marital satisfaction, 35.0% of participants indicated low satisfaction, 59.7% indicated moderate satisfaction, and only 5.3% indicated high satisfaction. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed no statistically significant relationship between childhood trauma and marital satisfaction (r = .066, p = .438). The study concludes that, although there is high prevalence of childhood trauma among the studied population, it does not directly predict low or high marital satisfaction. The researcher recommends that couples and their communities participates in marriage enrichment programs, including counseling services and support groups, to enhance conflict resolution skills, communication, trust, and resilience. This study contributes to the existing literature by contextualizing the intersection between childhood trauma and marital satisfaction.