In this study, the predictors of marital satisfaction and intimacy were examined
within an African context that is characterized by a fast growing economy, migrant
population, urbanization and industrialization. Specifically, this study examined the role
of two relational variables, gender role attitudes and spousal support and two
demographic variables, age and gender in predicting the variance in marital satisfaction
and intimacy, after controlling for number of children, religion, occupation, education,
length of marriage and household income among married individuals in Botswana.
The results of this study reveal the importance of gender role attitudes and spousal
support as key predictors of marital satisfaction and intimacy when compared to age and
gender. That is, individuals who reported high scores in spousal support and egalitarian
gender role attitudes also reported high scores in marital satisfaction and intimacy.
Gender and age were not related to both outcomes used in this study.
The findings in this study will be of benefit to mental health professionals (a fairly
new profession in Botswana), marriage officers, pastors and family life educators, as they
deal with married and prospective couples in Botswana. Mental health professionals in
Botswana will be able to explore the perspectives of married individuals on gender role
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attitudes and spousal support within the context of their marital relationships. The results
of this study provide some support for the use of family therapy interventions in
Botswana and neighboring countries, open a dialogue among couples regarding marital
expectations and what they bring in from families of origin and provoke some thoughts
among family educators in creating interventions relevant to the African context.