Coupling sex and emotional expressiveness as determinants of marital intimacy among married couples
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26486/ijagc.v4i1.3077Keywords:
Benin Metropolis, Coupling sex, Emotional Expressiveness, Marital intimacyBenin Metropolis, Marital intimacyAbstract
The study examined coupling sex and emotional expressiveness and how they affect marital intimacy among married couples in Benin Metropolis of Edo state, Nigeria. Three hypotheses were raised to guide the study, while the descriptive correlational research design was adopted. Four hundred and fifty (450) spouses drawn from two churches (each from Pentecostal and Orthodox churches) in Benin metropolis were selected through simple sampling technique and convenience sampling method. The instrument used for the study was the researcher’s structured questionnaire titled Coupling Sex, Emotional Expressiveness and Marital Intimacy Questionnaire (C S E M I Q). Data collected were analysed using regression analysis. The findings of the study revealed that a combination of frequent coupling sex and emotional expressiveness had significant contribution to marital intimacy, while coupling sex and emotional expressiveness had some level of significant influence on marital intimacy. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Couples should sensitize regularly on the importance of regular and pleasurable sex and positive emotional expression in order to enhance healthy marital intimacy.
References
Adjabenj, J. (2011). Enjoying a fruitful marriage. Olive Publications, Accra, Ghana.
Akinade, E. A. (2015). Comprehensive marriage guidance for all. Lagos: A psychological and down-to-earth approach. Brightways Publishers, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Akinsola, J. (2012). Roadmap to an intimate marriage. Baptist Press (Nig) Limited, P.M.B 5071, Ibadan.
Bozoğlan, B. (2015). Emeklilik dönemi doyumunun yordayıcısı olarak yaşam doyumu, evlilik doyumu ve sosyal destek. Çukurova Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 24(1), 229–238.
Çapri, B., & Gökçakan, Z. (2013). Eş tükenmişliğini yordayan değişkenler. İlköğretim Online, 12(2). Retrieved from http:// ilkogretim-online.org.tr/vol12say2/v12s2m19.pdf
Coan, J. A., (2010). Adult attachment and the Brain. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 27 (2) 210-217.
Cingisiz, N. (2010). Ortaöğretim okullarında görev yapan öğretmenlerin duygusal zekâları ile evlilik doyumları arasındaki ilişki (Master’s thesis, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey). Retrieved from https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/
DcGenova, M. K & Rice, F.P. (2002).Intimate relationships, marriages, and families (5th Edition). New York: McGraw Hill Companies.
DeMoss, Y. (2004). Brief interventions and resiliency in couples (Doctoral dissertation, Northcentral University, Prescott, Arizona). Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis database.
DeWitt, S. M. (2014). Emotional expressiveness in romantic relationships: Avantages anddisadvantages ofsimilarities and differences I Expressiveness. California Polytechnic State University. Published by ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway.
Ebenuwa-Okoh, E. E. (2010). Sex and age as moderators of the relationship between environmental variables and marital adjustment among married persons. International Research Journals 2(1745-751).
Gadassi, R., Bar-Nahum, L. E., Newhouse, S., Anderson, R., Heiman, J. R., Rafaeli, E., & Janssen, E. (2016). Perceived partner responsiveness mediates the association between sexual and marital satisfaction: A daily diary study in newlywed couples. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(1), 109-120.
Goldsmith, B. (2014). The happy couple; how to make happiness a habit. One little loving thing at a time
Gur–Aryeh, S.M. (2010). Emotional expression, gender, and match in personality as predictors of marital satisfaction (Doctoral dissertation, New York, Forham University). ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis database.
Hamarta, E., Deniz, M., Dilmaç, B., & Arslan, C. (2015). Evlilik içi ilişki ile evlilikteki yaşam doyumunun evli çiftlerin değerleri açısından incelenmesi. International Journal of Human Sciences, 12(1). Retrieved from http:// www.j-humansciences.com/ojs/index.php/IJHS/article/ download/3107/1404
Halberstadt, A. G. (1991). Toward an ecology of expressiveness: Family socialization in particular and a model in general. In R. S. Feldman and B. Rime (Eds.), Fundamentals of nonverbal behavior. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Hess, J. A., & Coffelt, T. A. (2012). Verbal communication about sex in marriage: Patterns of language use and its connection with relational outcomes. Journal of Sex Research, 49(6), 603-612.
Jesuorobo, O.W. (2019). Efficacy of behavioural couple therapy and Emotionally Focussed Couple Therapy in the enhancement of marital adjustment among couples in Baptist Churches in Benin Metropolis of Edo state, Nigeria. (Unpublished Ph.D Dissertation), Department of Educational Evaluation and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Benin City
Johnson, S. M. (2008). Attachment and emotionally focused therapy: Perfect Partners. in Obegi J. & Berant E. (Eds.), Clinical applications of adult attachment. New York: Guilford Press
Johnson, S. M. (2004). The practice of emotionally focused couple therapy: Creating connection (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Brunner-Routledge.
Kelvin, N. (2016). Two keys to happy Marriage. www.thought-about-god.com/marriage.
Kirby, J. S. (2005). A study of the marital satisfaction levels of participants in a marriage education course (Doctoral dissertation, Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling Department, University of Louisiana, Monroe). Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis database.
Langdridge, D., Gabb, J., & Lawson, J. (2018). Working with group-level data in phenomenological research: A modified visual matrix method. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 1(1), 1–23.
Larson, J. H., & Holman, T. B. (1994). Premarital predictors of marital quality and stability. Family Relations, 43, 228–237.
Litzinger, S., & Gordon, K. C. (2005). Exploring relationships among communication, sexual satisfaction, and marital satisfaction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 31(5), 409 424
Mbwirire, J. (2018), Causes of marital conflicts in Christian marriages in Domboshava Area. International Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Studies. 1 (2)59-73.
McNulty, J. K., Wenner, C. A., & Fisher, T. D. (2016). Longitudinal associations among relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and frequency of sex in early marriage. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(1), 85-97.
Miller, P. J. E., Caughlin, J. P., & Huston, T. L. (2003). Trait expressiveness and marital satisfaction: The role of idealization processes. Journal of Marriage and Family, 65, 978–995.
Nezhad, M. Z., & Goodarzi, A. M. (2011). Sexuality, intimacy, and marital satisfaction in Iranian first-time parents. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 37(2), 77-88.
Narciso, I., & Ribeiro, M. (2009). Olhares sobre a conjugalidade. Lisboa: Coisas de ler.Nassehi-Behnam, V (1985). Change and the Iranian family. Current Anthropology, 26(5), 557–562.
Oleabhiele, E. & Ighalo, P. (2015). Perceived consequences of marital instability on the academic performance of undergraduates in Benin City, Edo State. https://www.reseach gate.net>3506.
Omage, M. I. (2013). Critical issues in marriage failure in Benin City, Nigeria: Signalling the way forward. European Scientific Journal. 9(5) 324-337.
Patrick, S., & Beckenbach, J. (2009). Male perceptions of intimacy: A qualitative study. Journal of Men’s Studies, 17(1), 47–56.
Patrick, S., Sells, J. N., Giordano, F. G., & Tollerud, T. R. (2007). Intimacy, differentiation, and personality variables as predictors of marital satisfaction. The Family Journal: Counselling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 15(4), 359–367.
Rakwena, K. H., (2010). Marital Satisfaction and Intimacy: Gender role attitudes and spousal support in Botswana. Loma Linda University Electronic Thesis, Dissertations and Projects. http://scholarsrepotory.un.edu/exd/9
Rauer, A. J. & Volling, b. l. (2005). The role of husbands and wives emotional expressivity in the marital relationship. Sex Roles 52(9-10) 577-587.
Rehman, U. S., Janssen, E., Newhouse, S., Heiman, J., Holtzworth-Munroe, A., Fallis, E., & Rafaeli, E. (2011). Marital satisfaction and communication behaviors during sexual and nonsexual conflict discussions in newlywed couples: A pilot study. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 37(2), 94-103.
Rosen-Grandon, J. R., Myers, J. E., & Hattie, J. A. (2004). The relationship between marital characteristics, marital interaction processes, and marital satisfaction. Journal of Counselling & Development, 82, 58-68.
Schoenfeld, E. A., Loving, T. J., Pope, M. T., Huston, T. L., & Štulhofer, A. (2016). Does sex really matter? Examining the connections between spouses’ nonsexual behaviours, sexual frequency, sexual satisfaction, and marital satisfaction. Archives of Sexual Behavior, doi: 10.1007/s10508-015-0672-4
Scott, T. Y. & Constance, T. G. (2010). Sexual frequency and the stability of marital and cohabiting unions. School of Social Dynamics and Centre for Population Dynamics. Arizonia State University.
Sholfer, L. T. & Shoben, E. J. (2004). Psychology of Adjustment. Cambridge: River Side Press.
Soltani, A Molazedeh, J., Mamoodi, M. and Hosseini, S. (2013). A Study in the Effectiveness of Emotional Focused Couple Therapy on Intimacy of Couples. Procedia Social and Behavioural Sciences. 82(2013)461-465.
Thomas, A. & Anderson M. C. (2003). Making marriage a love story. Winword Publishing, Phoenix, Arizona.
Timm, T. M., & Keiley, M. K. (2011). The effects of differentiation of self, adult attachment, and sexual communication on sexual and marital satisfaction: A path analysis. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 37(3), 206-223.
Tutarel–Kışlak, Ş., & Çabukça, F. (2002). Empati ve de¬mografik değişkenlerin evlilik uyumu ile ilişkisi. Aile ve Toplum Eğitim Kültür ve Araştırma Dergisi, 2(5). Retrieved from http://dergipark.ulakbim.gov.tr/spcd/article/down¬load/5000107936/5000100646
Weinberger, M. I., Hofstein, Y., & Whitbourne, S. K. (2008). Intimacy in young adulthood as a predictor of divorce in midlife. Personal Relationships, 15(4), 551–557
Weiss, D. (2009). Sex, men and god. Siloam Press, Lake Mary, Florida.
Yedirir, S. & Hamarta, (2015). Emotional Expression and Spousal Support as Predictors of Marital Satisfaction: The case of Turkey. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice. 15(6) 1549-1558.
Yeh, H., Lorenz, F. O., Wickrama, K. S., Conger, R. D., & Elder, G. J. (2006). Relationships among sexual satisfaction, marital quality, and marital instability at midlife. Journal of Family Psychology, 20(2), 339-343.
Yeşiltepe, S. S., & Çelik, M. (2014). Evaluation of marital adjustment of teachers in terms of psychological well–being and some variables. Elementary Education Online, 13(3), 992–1013.
Yucel, D. (2016). Together, forever? Correlates of marital well-being. Social Indicators Research, 125(1), 257-269.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Authors who publish with IJAGC: International Journal of Applied Guidance and Counseling agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the Insight right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material) the work for any purpose, even commercially with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in Insight. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in Insight.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).