Marital quality from the Malay-Muslim perspective: a qualitative approach

• Main Authors: Mohd Fadil, Fadhullah, Juhari, Rumaya, Yaacob, Siti Nor
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/30948/1/ID%2030948.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/30948/

This study aims to examine factors that may be viewed by Malaysian Muslim married individuals as constructs of marital quality. Factors related with internal-personal domain, inter-personal relationship, religiosity, gender role, and sexuality have been critically weighted in formulating the interview questions. Islamic scholars and academicians were selected for expert interviews, while in-depth face-to-face interviews with married individuals representing various marital stages were conducted to further examine the earlier findings from the expert interviews. Human ecological-life span perspective was used as guiding framework for this study. The findings implied that the concept of marital quality can be of multi-dimensions, in which, religiosity is a core domain. Indicators that were concluded include love, responsibility, harmony, satisfaction, adjustment, happiness, family management, stability, personality and appearance, relationships with family of origin, in-laws, neighbors, and friends). Most respondents agreed that satisfaction in marriage is crucial and this subjective evaluation should cover the multiple domains of married person through-out marital journey.