Marital satisfaction among clergy wives in Pentecostal churches in Mfantseman East, Ghana

Abstract

This study explored marital satisfaction among clergy wives in Pentecostal Churches in Mfantseman East, Ghana. Using the qualitative approach and phenomenological design, twenty wives in the Church of Pentecost in the Central Region of Ghana were sampled. Homogeneous purposive sampling technique was employed to select twenty (20) participants for the study. Semi-structured interview guide was the main instrument for data collection. Thematic analysis was used for the analysis of the data collected. The study‟s findings revealed that clergy wives understand marital satisfaction to be respect and sexual intimacy, communication in marriage and privacy of clergy wives, financial support is a key factor in how clergy wives define and understand marital satisfaction, and clergy wives work together with their husbands as has been practiced in Pentecostal churches. Regarding the role of clergy wives in enhancing or decreasing marital satisfaction, it was discovered that clergy wives pray to support marriage as first wife and the opportunity to support ministry work to enhance marital satisfaction. Additionally, clergy wives have adopted regular check-ups as a way of maintaining their health as a self-care approach. Based on the findings, it is recommended among others that clergy should endeavour to adequately respect their wives and see them as partners in marriage and in ministry, deliberate time should be made by ministers and be dedicated for their wives and families, appointments should be well planned with church members and leaders to reduce calls and visitations.