Marital Distress and Co-Existing Psychological Disorders Among Married Individuals in Kenya: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Interrelationships

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of marital distress and co-existing psychological disorders among married individuals in Kenya, identify factors associated with these conditions, and explore the interrelationship between marital distress and psychological disorders. Marital distress has emerged as a significant psychosocial and public mental health concern in Kenya, contributing to emotional disconnection, relational dissatisfaction, and elevated risks of depression and hazardous alcohol use. Despite the centrality of marriage in Kenyan society, access to culturally responsive marital and mental health services remains limited, and existing research inadequately integrates relational and psychological dimensions of distress. The study employed a quasi-experimental, repeated-measures analytical design with a comparison group. A total of 86 married participants from Kikuyu Town, Kiambu County, were assessed using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t tests, chi-square tests, repeated-measures MANOVA, linear mixed models, and difference-in-differences estimators. Findings revealed high prevalence rates of marital distress, depressive symptoms, and hazardous alcohol use. Clinically significant marital distress was observed in 88.4% of participants, depressive symptoms in 91.9%, and hazardous or harmful alcohol use in 67.4%. Lower marital adjustment was systematically associated with higher levels of depression and alcohol-related risk, demonstrating strong interrelationships among these conditions. Marital distress among married individuals in Kenya is highly prevalent and frequently co-occurs with psychological disorders. The findings underscore the need for integrated, culturally responsive mental health and marital counseling services. Policy frameworks should prioritize routine screening, expansion of community-based psychosocial services, and training in integrative, couple-based interventions.