Open Access Article Social Sciences Sociology

Marital Beliefs, Marital Virtues, and Neighborhood Cohesion as Predictors of Marital Satisfaction in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Multilevel Analysis

Shimelis Wondimu (1), Tamirie Andualem (2)
(1) Department of Psychology, institute of Education and behavioral studies, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia, Ethiopia,
(2) School of Psychology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Ethiopia
https://doi.org/10.36923/ijsser.v6i1.246

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Issue
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2024): Continue
Submitted
November 29, 2023
Published
March 12, 2024
Keywords:
    Marital Beliefs, Marital Satisfaction, Cohesion, Virtues, Neighborhood Cohesion
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Abstract

This study examines the role of marital beliefs, marital virtues, and neighborhood cohesion in marital satisfaction among 386 participants in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study used a descriptive correlational study design. Participants were selected using multistage random sampling techniques, and data were collected using a questionnaire. Multilevel modeling was employed to analyze the data. Findings indicated that all marital beliefs, marital virtues, and neighborhood cohesion were positively and significantly associated with marital satisfaction. The findings from multilevel modeling showed that marital virtues and neighborhood cohesion significantly predicted marital satisfaction at both individual and neighborhood levels, whereas marital beliefs predicted marital satisfaction only at the individual level. Besides, marital virtues moderated the association between shared neighborhood cohesion and marital satisfaction, such that participants who reported lower marital virtues had a lower level of marital satisfaction when their neighbors experienced lower shared neighborhood cohesion. The interactive effect of shared marital virtues and marital beliefs can also influence marital satisfaction when participants reported low levels of marital belief and from a neighbor of fewer marital virtues; they tend to report low levels of marital satisfaction. The study concludes that the participants' positive beliefs about marriage, marital virtues, and cohesive relationships with their neighbors positively influence their marital satisfaction. Marriage practitioners, policymakers, and community workers might benefit from this study. Limitations and future directions are also discussed.

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Authors

Shimelis Wondimu
Department of Psychology, institute of Education and behavioral studies, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7954-178X
shimelisw12@gmail.com (Primary Contact)
Tamirie Andualem
School of Psychology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7391-1126
Author Biographies

Shimelis Wondimu, Department of Psychology, institute of Education and behavioral studies, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia

Shimelis Wondimu Begna is a Senior Lecturer at Dilla University, Institute of Education and Behavioral Studies, Department of Psychology. He has a BA in Psychology and an MA in Social Psychology. He is currently a PhD candidate in the Social Psychology Program at the School of Psychology, Addis Ababa University.

Tamirie Andualem, School of Psychology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tamirie Andualem Adal (PhD, Addis Ababa University) is an Associate Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology, the School of Psychology; Editor-In-Chief of the Ethiopian Journal of Behavioral Studies (EJOBS); College of Education and Behavioral Studies; Addis Ababa University. He is currently working as an Academic Supervisor (Master’s and PhD level students), Consultant in different Educational Projects and Peer Reviewer in Local and International Academic Journals.

Wondimu, S., & Andualem, T. (2024). Marital Beliefs, Marital Virtues, and Neighborhood Cohesion as Predictors of Marital Satisfaction in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Multilevel Analysis. Innovation Journal of Social Sciences and Economic Review, 6(1), 22–33. https://doi.org/10.36923/ijsser.v6i1.246
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