Religion, Spousal Age Gap, and Perceived Drivers of Marital Satisfaction: A Mixed-Methods Exploration Among Couples in Lagos, Nigeria

Résumé fourni par la source

While socioeconomic variables are widely documented as predictors of marital satisfaction, the roles of religious affiliation and spousal age gap remain contested, particularly within Nigerian contexts. This study employs a mixed-methods design to explore whether religious affiliation and spousal age gap significantly predict marital satisfaction, and to examine what married couples themselves identify as the primary drivers of satisfaction in their marriages. Using multi-stage sampling, 192 married respondents were surveyed in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State; 10 participants also took part in in-depth interviews (IDIs). Quantitative data were analysed via binary logistic regression; qualitative data were subjected to thematic content analysis. Binary logistic regression revealed no statistically significant relationship between religious affiliation and marital satisfaction (χ² = 1.047, p = .592) nor between spousal age gap and marital satisfaction (χ² = 0.342, p = .952). However, qualitative findings offered a nuanced counterpoint: participants described how age differences shape communication patterns, mutual understanding, and sexual compatibility in ways that quantitative instruments may not fully capture. Regarding perceived drivers of satisfaction, children, financial provision, and companionship emerged as the leading factors. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed with reference to Gottman's Balance Model and Ecological Systems Theory.

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