ETHNIC RELATED CHALLENGES AND COPING STRATEGIES OF COUPLES IN INTER-CULTURAL MARRIAGES IN ELMINA

ABSTRACT

The number of inter-cultural marriages has grown significantly in the past few decades, as have the numbers of inter-cultural couples presenting for marital and family therapy. Current literature on inter-cultural relationships states that they are at a high risk for failure, with higher divorce rates and lower marital satisfaction reported than for same culture marriages. Therefore, the study sought to explore ethnic-related challenges of couples in inter-cultural marriages in Elmina as well as strategies they employ to manage such challenges. Four specific objectives guided this study. Phenomenological research design was chosen as the guiding principle of this research inquiry and twenty couples were interviewed individually using a semi-structured interview guide. The data was transcribed and coded using QSRNVIVO 9 software. The findings revealed that couples had common challenges such as disapproval from family and society, language barriers, cultural barriers and parenting. Coping resources used by couples included humour, learning about the other’s culture, support from society and family, effective communication, personal preparation, working towards common goals, and religion. These couples were also found to have attitudes of commitment to their marriage and each other, and a belief that they were not that different from their partners. Thus, the study recommended that couples in inter-cultural marriages are to organise their response to cultural differences in a bid to increase dealing with their framing differences, emotional maintenance, positioning in relationship to family, community and societal context. These strategies provide a basis for interventions that may help inter-cultural couples identify what works for them and strengthen their relationships.