Exploring the meaning attached to seeking marital therapy among married African males in the Durban area

The overall aim of the study was to gain insight into what it means for an African man to seek marital therapy when confronted with marital problems. The study also sought to understand the circumstances that often influence African men to consult with marital therapists. The barriers experienced by men towards utilising marital therapy were also explored. The study adopted the qualitative research method, and data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Thirty (30) Black African men participated in the study from the province of KwaZulu-Natal, in the Durban area. The results were analysed thematically, and the findings demonstrated different factors that contributed towards how Black African men give meaning to seeking marital therapy. The results also indicated that marital therapy was considered as the last resort for some of the participants in this study. Perceived stigma, marital status of the therapist, access to marital therapy and the gender of the marital therapist were identified as barriers towards utilising these services. The findings were discussed in relation to pertinent literature, and recommendations for professional practice, training and for future research are offered in the last chapter.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Zululand

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Mtshali, Philile Simamukele

• marital therapy --married African men --South Africa

Licence

• https://devspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/93bc7c46-71b8-49d5-b154-d5c97d1c29b3/download