The Impact of Boredom in Marriage on Marital Satisfaction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/ijp.2120Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of boredom in marriage on marital satisfaction.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low-cost advantage as compared to field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: Boredom in marriage can influence the spouses' behaviors, emotions, and cognitions, such as reducing their positive interactions, increasing their negative interactions, lowering their mood, and impairing their judgment. Boredom in marriage can have negative consequences for the individual and relational well-being of the spouses, such as affecting their physical and mental health, undermining their intimacy and commitment, and increasing their risk of infidelity or divorce. Boredom in marriage can be prevented or reduced by enhancing the quality and quantity of communication, sharing new and meaningful experiences, expressing appreciation and affection, seeking professional help if needed, and maintaining a positive attitude and outlook on the relationship.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Arousal Theory, Cognitive Theory and Psychodynamic Theory may be used to anchor future studies on use of marriage institutions. Marital therapists and counselors could incorporate boredom assessment and intervention strategies in their work with couples who report low marital satisfaction. Policymakers and educators could design and implement programs that promote healthy and satisfying marriages in the society.
Downloads
References
African Population and Health Research Center. (2014). Infidelity in sub-Saharan Africa: A sexual and reproductive health issue. https://aphrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Infidelity-in-sub-Saharan-Africa.pdf
All-China Women's Federation. (2010). Survey on the status of women in China. http://www.womenofchina.cn/womenofchina/html1/survey/10/8989-1.htm
Amato P.R., Previti D. (2003). People's reasons for divorcing: Gender, social class, and life course. Journal of Family Issues, 24(5), 602-626. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X03254507
Amato P.R., Previti D., & Rogers S.J. (2007). People's reasons for divorcing: Gender, social class, and life course effects. Journal of Family Issues28 (5), 602-626. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X06290995
Bogdan I., Turliuc M.N., Candel O.S. (2022). Transition to Parenthood and Marital Satisfaction: A Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology. 13:901362. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.901362
Eastwood, J. D., Frischen, A., Fenske, M. J., & Smilek, D. (2012). The unengaged mind: Defining boredom in terms of attention. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 7(5), 482-495. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691612456044
Finkielstein, M. (2021). Boredom and academic work: A theoretical approach to a very common phenomenon among students and teachers. Routledge.
Funk J.L., Rogge R.D. (2007). Testing the ruler with item response theory: increasing precision of measurement for relationship satisfaction with the Couples Satisfaction Index. Journal of Family Psychology. 21(4):572-583. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.21.4.572
Ghanei Gheshlagh R., Sayehmiri K., Ebadi A., Dalvand S., Dalvandi A., Tabrizi K.N., et al. (2020). The effect of marital satisfaction on the self-assessed depression of married women: an actor-partner interdependence model approach using dyadic data analysis. BMC Psychology. 8:130. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01200-8
Harasymchuk C., Fehr B. (2010). Looking back: The experience of first romantic boredom. Personal Relationships, 17(4),513-534.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01301.x
Japan Family Planning Association. (2016). Survey on married couples' sex life 2016. https://www.jfpa.or.jp/prog/survey/year/2016/pdf/20161219_01.pdf
Makerere University. (2012). Domestic violence in Uganda: An analysis of gender-based violence using the 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/WP86/WP86.pdf
Marital Satisfaction - IResearchNet. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2023 from https://psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/interpersonal-relationships/marital-satisfaction/
Mugoya G.C.T., Witte T.H., Ernst K.C. (2016). Gender differences in the association between marital quality, sexual behavior, and sexual satisfaction among married Kenyan adults. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(6), 1459-1471.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0651-8
Oyediran K.A., Isiugo-Abanihe U.C. (2005). Perceptions of Nigerian women on domestic violence: Evidence from 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 9(2), 38-53. https://doi.org/10.2307/3583408
Relate. (2014). The way we are now: The state of the UK's relationships 2014. https://www.relate.org.uk/sites/default/files/the_way_we_are_now__the_state_of_the_uks_relationships_2014.pdf
Sayehmiri K., Kareem K.I., Abdi K., Dalvand S., Ghanei Gheshlagh R. (2020). The relationship between personality traits and marital satisfaction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychology. 8:15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-020-0383-z
Singh R., Nayak J.K. (2015). Marital boredom: A mixed method study among Indian couples. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment,25(8),853-865. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2015.1052914
Svendsen, L. (2005). A philosophy of boredom. Reaktion Books.
Tata Institute of Social Sciences. (2011). Marital discord among couples in Mumbai. https://www.tiss.edu/uploads/files/MaritalDiscordAmongCouplesinMumbai.pdf
Tsapelas I., Aron A., Orbuch T. (2009). Marital boredom now predicts less satisfaction 9 years later. Psychological Science, 20(5), 543-545. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02332.x
University of Ghana. (2011). Marital quality and divorce proneness among Ghanaian couples. https://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/bitstream/handle/123456789/21664/Marital%20Quality%20and%20Divorce%20Proneness%20among%20Ghanaian%20Couples.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
University of Ibadan. (2013). Marital satisfaction and divorce intentions among Nigerian couples. https://ir.library.ui.edu.ng/bitstream/123456789/1098/1/ui_thesis_marital%20satisfaction%20and%20divorce%20intentions%20among%20nigerian%20couples.pdf
Yabiku S.T., Gager C.T., Schelar E., Agadjanian V., Cau B. (2014). Marital quality in the context of marital change: Comparing spouses' reports in Cambodia, China, and Japan. Journal of Family Issues, 35(14), 1922-1946. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X13479121
Zhang H., Fan S., Yip P.S.F. (2012). Factors associated with the stability of marriage in Beijing: A hazard model analysis. Social Indicators Research, 105(3), 389-409. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-011-9870-5
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Elizabeth Muturi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.