Conflict Strategies, Communication And Stress Among Married Couples

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the background information, identify the level of conflict strategies, communication levels and stress levels among married couples. This study is a descriptive quantitative study and conducted at the counseling office of the Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Sembilan (MAINS) Port Dickson District. This study involved 60 study subjects among married couples who seek counseling services. This study uses purposive sampling by using three instruments, namely Romantic Partner Conflict Scale (RPCS), Marital Communication Inventory (MCI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The findings showed that most of the married couples involved in this study were aged between 31 years and 40 years, had at least one to three children, were self-employed, had a household income of RM1001 to RM3000, a duration of married of six to 10 years and most of the study subjects involved had a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level of Education. The findings also showed that the married couple were medium in the sub-scale of compromise, interaction reactivity, separation, dominance and submission, while high in the sub-scale of avoidance. In addition, communication is at a very low and stress is at a high.