Assessment of Marital Stress and Resilience Among Married Christian Women in Selected Mainstream Churches in Nairobi County Kenya.

Abstract

This study examined marital stress and resilience among married Christian women in selected mainstream churches in Nairobi County. Specifically, it sought to determine the prevalence of marital stress, assess resilience levels, and examine factors contributing to marital stress. Using family system theory and stress and coping theory, the study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional method. A sample of 316 married women from selected mainstream churches was drawn using the Yamane formula, and data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Key findings indicated that 41.2% of women experienced high marital stress, 39.7% reported moderate stress, and 19.1% reported low stress. Full-time employed women, primarily aged 36-45, had the lowest stress levels, while 96.3% of self-employed women aged 46 and above reported high stress. Unemployment also contributed to moderate and high stress, particularly among younger women. Marital stress was significantly associated with age but not with years in marriage. Resilience levels were generally high, with 34.8% of participants displaying very high resilience, while factors like poor communication, financial disagreements, and work demands were identified as major sources of marital stress. The findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to manage marital stress and promote resilience among married women in Nairobi County. The study recommended that churches should implement ongoing marital counseling programs tailored to address common stressors identified in the study, such as financial disagreements, communication issues, and time management. Churches and religious leaders should provide spiritual guidance and practical support to enhance resilience in women who experience high levels of marital stress. Religious leaders can offer workshops and one-on-one counseling, helping women develop emotional regulation and problem-solving skills, especially for those in the 46 and above age group who reported high stress levels. Employers should take practical steps to reduce stress in women employed full-time by promoting work-life balance initiatives, such as flexible working hours and mental health support.