The Relationship between Technology Usage and Marital Conflicts among Young Married Couples in Jimma Town

Abstract

This study is conducted with the objective of investigating how technology usage causes marital conflict among married couples in Jimma town. The study employed mixed research design and collected data from 198 married couples that were randomly selected from the population. Data was collected using self-prepared questionnaire, standardized scales questionnaire and interview guide and analyzed using thematic data analysis method for qualitative data and quantitative data analysis method for quantitative once. The study found that technology usage was appropriate in marital relationship but only when the couples used technology in appropriate ways resulted in marital conflict. Among these technologies, Facebook, mobile usage and television watching statistically significant positive relationship with marital conflicts, r=.788, r=.642, and r=.63 respectively. The study also revealed that time spent on those technologies, issues of trust between couples, money and the time when couples have to use these technologies were the common causes of marital conflicts as a result of technology usages. In line with the findings obtained it was recommended that different organization such as welfare offices, NGOs and religious organizations should have to assign trained family and marriage counselors and social workers.