Major reasons for couples to cohabit, their adjustment problems and consequences for social acceptance among Jimma resident

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examines major reasons for couples to cohabit, their adjustment problems and consequences for social acceptance, among Jimma resident. This study use a qualitative methods research design and to support the research statically quantitative method was employed by using purposive sampling techniques were used to select the samples of the study. Hence, using a survey data from 40 cohabiters and a semi-structured interview with 6 cohabiters, the study explored major reasons for cohabitation, and faced adjustment problems and effects of cohabitation on social acceptance. The quantitative data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, and chi-square and the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analytic approach. According to the findings of the study shows that the main reason for cohabitation are: spending more time together, testing relationship, financial considerations, because of baby care, plans for marriage and pregnancy and the adjustment problems of cohabiting couples relationship distress and religious matter or difference in faith, disagreement. And consequences of social acceptance of cohabiting couples have lower social acceptance. The qualitative study showed that cohabitation increases the emotional and physical attachment of couples by relationship have less satisfied compared to married. However, the study identified that cohabitation is associated with lower commitment and insecurity in the relationship.