Influence of adverse childhood experiences and stressful life events on marital satisfaction and health-related quality of life among married persons in Ghana

Abstract

This study examined the influence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and stressful life events (SLEs) on marital satisfaction and health-related quality of life among married persons in Greater Accra, Ghana. The concurrent mixed methods design was employed. A total of 400 married persons were involved in the quantitative phase of the study. Five of these participants were selected for the qualitative phase. The research instruments were standardised questionnaires and an interview guide. Frequencies and percentages, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, ANOVA, Multiple Regression and Multiple Logistic Regression were used for the quantitative data. The interpretative phenomenological approach was employed for the qualitative data. Adverse childhood experiences and stressful life events were found to significantly correlate negatively with marital satisfaction. There was a significant difference in marital satisfaction with respect to cumulative adverse childhood experiences. Married persons with more histories of ACEs experienced greater decline in marital satisfaction. Adverse childhood experiences and stressful life events significantly impacted marital satisfaction negatively. Similarly, adverse childhood experiences and stressful life events significantly impacted health-related quality of life negatively. However, marital satisfaction impacted health-related quality of life positively. The qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative findings. It is recommended that clinical psychologists and psychotherapists receive trauma informed care training. Also, single and married persons should be screened for and educated on the impact of childhood trauma and traumatic stress on marriage and HRQoL.