The Role of Adverse Childhood Experience, Psychological Distress and Life Satisfaction on Marital Satisfaction among Couples in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

This study dealt with marital satisfaction among couples in Lagos, Nigeria. It sought to establish whether adverse childhood experience, psychological distress and life satisfaction have any impact on marital satisfaction. The study adopted the predictive correlational design, using 893 married men and women as respondents to a questionnaire. Data was analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that adverse childhood experiences did not affect marital satisfaction. While psychological distress negatively affected the marital satisfaction, life satisfaction enhanced the marital satisfaction.  The study recommended that effort be directed at keeping the level of psychological distress low in marriages by ensuring that any action or activity that can potentially trigger psychological distress is eliminated. Efforts geared toward enhancing life satisfaction should be encouraged among married couples due to the potential positive influence of such on marital satisfaction.