Influence of Physical Touch on Marital Quality Among Heterosexual Couples in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The objective behind this study was to determine the effects of physical touch on the quality of marriage among heterosexual couples in Nairobi County, Kenya. The goals of the study were to examine the effects of physical touch on marital commitment among heterosexual couples in Nairobi County, Kenya, to establish the impact of physical touch on marital adjustment among heterosexual couples and to ascertain the effect of physical touch on marital satisfaction among heterosexual couples in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study's first hypothesis analysed the effect of physical touch on heterosexual couples' levels of marital commitment in Nairobi County, Kenya, the second examined the effect of physical touch on heterosexual couples' levels of marital adjustment and the third examined the effect of physical touch on heterosexual couples' levels of marital satisfaction in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study used an online survey and a cross-sectional strategy, combining qualitative and quantitative data to produce more trustworthy results. Procedures for purposive sampling were used in the study. The study employed a sample of 100 persons in heterosexual marital arrangements, with both open-ended and closed-ended surveys utilized to gather data. After analysing the qualitative data to find emerging trends, narratives were utilized to depict the data. According to the study, diverse couples in Nairobi County, Kenya would experience a positive and significant change in marital commitment as a result of a unit change in physical touch (=0.308; p=0.000). According to the study, diverse couples in Nairobi County, Kenya would experience a favourable and substantial shift in their marital adjustment with a unit change in physical touch (=0.306; p=0.000). The study also found that diverse couples in Nairobi County, Kenya would experience a positive and substantial change in marital satisfaction as a result of a unit change in physical touch (=0.541; p=0.000). The study came to the assumption that physical touch has a substantial impact on heterosexual couples' marital commitment, adjustment, and satisfaction in Nairobi County, Kenya. According to the study, it is best to encourage couples to have stronger emotional bonds so that they can explore more opportunities for both sexual and non-sexual physical contact. Additionally, it is recommended that marriage and family therapists should inspire couples to devise plans for valuing, supporting, and increasing desire to explore more intimate possibilities.