Negotiating Work and Marriage: Communication Dynamics and Their Influence on Marital Satisfaction Among Working Couples in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Communication is widely known to be one of the key determinants of marital satisfaction. In dual-earner families, the augmented work requirements and the ongoing cultural pressures could affect the functioning of communication in marriage. Nevertheless, little studies have been done to observe such dynamics in working couples in Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods: The cross-sectional research involved 343 working population in Punjab, Pakistan. The collected data were in form of a structured self-administered survey questionnaire which measured communication, marital satisfaction, work family conflict, and cultural norms and conflict management. The two open ended questions were used to get qualitative information. The Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression in SPSS were used to analyze the quantitative data, and thematic analysis helped to analyze the qualitative responses.

Results: Marital satisfaction was positively correlated with communication (r =.682, p <.01). This relationship was substantially undermined by work-family conflict ( 02 2 =.022, p. 014). Cultural norms (ΔR 2 =.023, p =.016) and conflict management (ΔR 2 =.037, p =.002) also played a significant role in mediating the relationship, either curbing or expanding the benefits of communication. Thematic analysis indicated that there were five broad themes namely: emotional sharing, time investment, empathetic listening, conflict avoidance and contextual stressors such as family interference and workplace pressure.

Conclusion: Nevertheless, communication has stayed a strong indicator of marital satisfaction but the efficacy is defined by cultural and professional environments. It is suggested that culturally sensitive counseling interventions and family-supportive workplace policies can be used to promote the marital well-being of working couples in collectivist cultures.