The Impact of Delayed Childbearing and Childlessness on Marital Satisfaction in Christian Marriages
Abstract:
This study examines the impact of delayed childbearing and childlessness on marital satisfaction among Christian couples. Recognizing the growing trend of delayed parenthood and rising childlessness globally, particularly within religious contexts, the study explores how these factors affect the quality and stability of Christian marriages. Utilizing a quantitative research approach, data were collected from married Christian couples through structured questionnaires assessing their marital satisfaction levels alongside reproductive histories. The findings reveal that both delayed childbearing and childlessness significantly influence marital satisfaction, with variations observed based on the duration of childlessness and the couples’ coping mechanisms grounded in faith. While some couples reported lower satisfaction linked to fertility challenges, others found resilience through religious support and community engagement. These results underscore the complex interplay between reproductive timing, psychological wellbeing, and spiritual resources within Christian marriages. The study contributes to family psychology and pastoral counseling literature by highlighting the need for targeted support systems for couples facing reproductive challenges, emphasizing the role of faith-based interventions in promoting marital health.
KeyWords:
Delayed childbearing, childlessness, marital satisfaction, Christian marriages, reproductive challenges
References:
- Agyapong, I., & Addo, R. T. (2020). Marital satisfaction and fertility issues among couples in Ghana: A psychological perspective. Journal of Family Psychology, 34(3), 356–367. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000612
- Amu, E., & Opare, J. A. (2018). Social perceptions of childlessness in Ghanaian Christian communities. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 22(4), 112–124.
- Bai, Z., & Yu, Y. (2019). Delayed childbearing and its psychological impact on marital satisfaction in China. International Journal of Psychology, 54(2), 182–191. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12456
- Barton, S., & Hirsch, B. (2021). Fertility, family, and faith: How religion shapes marital satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and Family, 83(5), 1234–1248. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12780
- Cole, D., & Cook, K. (2017). Childlessness and marital quality: A review of empirical studies. Journal of Family Issues, 38(8), 1124–1146. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X16675469
- Ezeh, A. C., & Mberu, B. U. (2019). Fertility patterns and family dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for marital satisfaction. Population Studies, 73(3), 347–360. https://doi.org/10.1080/00324728.2019.1605612
- Fisher, S. D., & Johnson, R. L. (2020). The intersection of infertility and marital satisfaction: A systematic review. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 25(3), 324–337. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2019.1663478
- Gerrits, T. (2018). The social consequences of infertility in developing countries: Insights from Ghana and Kenya. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 20(12), 1306–1320. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2017.1361025
- Hoseini, S. M., & Ramezani, M. (2019). Impact of delayed childbearing on marital satisfaction and family dynamics. Journal of Reproductive Health, 16(1), 45–53.
- Kassahun, E., & Mekonnen, T. (2017). Marital satisfaction and reproductive issues among Ethiopian couples. African Health Sciences, 17(1), 54–61. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v17i1.9
- Lee, E. J., & McMullen, M. N. (2019). Religious coping and marital satisfaction in infertile couples. Journal of Religion and Health, 58(5), 1647–1662. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00812-6
- Mensah, F. O., & Boateng, J. (2021). The role of spirituality in coping with childlessness among Christian couples in Ghana. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 23(2), 145–161.
- Nwosu, M., & Onwukwe, C. (2018). The psychosocial impact of infertility on marital satisfaction in African Christian couples. African Journal of Social Sciences, 8(4), 77–92.
- Opoku, K., & Adjei, E. (2020). Fertility expectations and marital satisfaction among Ghanaian couples: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 12(3), 54–66. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJSA2019.0763
- Yoon, S., & Lee, S. (2019). Childlessness and marital quality: Evidence from longitudinal studies. Journal of Family Psychology, 33(6), 732–742. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000545