Abstract:
This study explored marital satisfaction among clergy wives in Pentecostal Churches in
Mfantseman East, Ghana. Using the qualitative approach and phenomenological
design, twenty wives in the Church of Pentecost in the Central Region of Ghana were
sampled. Homogeneous purposive sampling technique was employed to select twenty
(20) participants for the study. Semi-structured interview guide was the main
instrument for data collection. Thematic analysis was used for the analysis of the data
collected. The study‟s findings revealed that clergy wives understand marital
satisfaction to be respect and sexual intimacy, communication in marriage and privacy
of clergy wives, financial support is a key factor in how clergy wives define and
understand marital satisfaction, and clergy wives work together with their husbands as
has been practiced in Pentecostal churches. Regarding the role of clergy wives in
enhancing or decreasing marital satisfaction, it was discovered that clergy wives pray to
support marriage as first wife and the opportunity to support ministry work to enhance
marital satisfaction. Additionally, clergy wives have adopted regular check-ups as a
way of maintaining their health as a self-care approach. Based on the findings, it is
recommended among others that clergy should endeavour to adequately respect their
wives and see them as partners in marriage and in ministry, deliberate time should be
made by ministers and be dedicated for their wives and families, appointments should
be well planned with church members and leaders to reduce calls and visitations.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Counselling Psychology,
Faculty of Applied Behavioural Sciences in Education, Submitted to the
School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Guidance and Counselling)
in the University of Education, Winneba
DECEMBER, 2022