Influence of demographic, socio-economic and psychological factors on remarriage satisfaction among widows and widowers in Likuyani Sub-County, Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

The death of a marital spouse often has far-reaching emotional and socio-economic repercussions on the remaining partner. Surviving spouses must cope with grief and assume the responsibilities that were previously vested on the deceased partner. Hence, the surviving partner may opt to remarry to compensate for some of the gaps. Although post-bereavement couples are increasingly expressing more optimism in remarriage, the decision and process are often faced with challenges and bias. Most studies and support systems have tended to focus on remarried couples from post- divorce than post-bereavement couples. This study investigated the influence of demographic, socio-economic, and psychological factors on remarriage satisfaction among remarried widows and widowers. The following objectives guided the study: To determine the influence of demographic factors on remarriage satisfaction, to establish the influence of socio-economic factors on remarriage satisfaction, and to determine the influence of psychological factors on remarriage satisfaction. The study was guided by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to collect data from 25 post-bereavement remarried individuals aged between 25 and 75 years purposively sampled from three sites in Likuyani Sub- County, Kakamega County. A questionnaire with quantitative Likert-type statements and a column for registering qualitative responses were used to collect data from the respondents. The data was then analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and the results presented using descriptive statistics, tables, and charts. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented in verbatim form. Results revealed that demographic variables namely gender and age influence remarriage satisfaction, with men rating higher levels than women in all areas. While most women were happy with husbands providing material and safety needs, some were dissatisfied since they were experiencing challenges stemming from polygamy. Other females, specifically those in their mid-ages, were dissatisfied by the lack of land ownership and acceptance by stepchildren. Moreover, remarried men were very satisfied with wives who cared for their biological children and did all household chores. Socio-economic status was also found to influence remarriage satisfaction. As rural residents, the majority of the remarried widows and widowers had lower levels of education, lower-income, and a burden of caring for their expanding families. Both the men and women could not substantially cater for their families beyond the basic physiological needs. Men were also found to take over most financial decisions, leaving their wives helpless. In terms of psychological well-being, the respondents were generally deficient in achieving positive relations and personal growth that would enable them to either integrate into the new family or adapt to the changes. These findings suggest that gender, age, education level, income, and psychological status influence remarriage satisfaction among post-bereavement remarried couples. Therefore, marriage counselors, chiefs, and administrators should focus on previously widowed remarried couples’ demographic, socio-economic status and psychological status and evaluate their unique needs to improve their lives. Future studies should involve remarried widows and widowers living in urban areas in order to find out the influence of demographic, socio-economic and psychological factors on remarriage satisfaction.