Marital conflict in Malta

Abstract

This thesis examines the state of marital relationships on the island of Malta with particular reference to the nature and dynamics of marital conflict. Given that divorce is illegal in Malta and the rate of separations is low, it is hypothesised that strategies for managing conflict are different from those described in the Anglo American psychological literature. Three hundred and fifty four randomly selected couples answered a self administered structured questionnaire simultaneously and separately. The questionnaire consisted of three sections. Section A collected demographic data on length of marriage, occupation, age, standard of education and number of children. Section B was the Marital Adjustment Test which assesses marital subjective well being and Section C the Communications Patterns Questionnaire which is designed to assess spouses' perception about communication patterns when in conflict. The vast majority of those who answered the questionnaire indicated that they were happy with their marriage with 76% of couples employing 'mutual constructive communication' as a predominant style of conflict resolution. The proportion of Maltese couples finding themselves distressed in their marriage was around 20%. Those with a low level of marital satisfaction experience conflict which is characterised by pressure, blame and avoidance, often with evidence of the exercise of 'male power' over the wife. The traditional woman's sense of identity and fulfilment is derived mainly from a traditional belief system focusing on the emotional well being of the family. This study suggests that married working women and women with a higher level of education and their husbands are finding it difficult to reconcile this belief with the new challenges of their own family life. Men who earn less are also less satisfied with their marriages. The data from this study indicates clear differences from that reported in the Anglo American literature, with differing implications for clinical issues concerned with marital work in Malta.