An Exploratory Study of Factors Contributing to Divorce Among Married Couples in Accra, Ghana: A Qualitative Approach

Against the backdrop that divorce is increasingly becoming a public health problem in Ghana, especially in urban areas, a qualitative approach was used to explore the possible reasons for divorce among 12 Ghanaian divorcees living in the urban area of Accra. Participants selected purposively were made up of 4 males and 8 females between the ages of 32 and 45 years, with a mean age of 36.5. Findings showed that the period of honeymooning provided a context that either destabilized or stabilized the union. Nonsubmissiveness, inadequate love and affection, and lack of trust were identified as the main reasons for divorce. Participants expressed mixed feelings about early expectations from marriage and a sense of regret and stigmatization after the dissolution of the marriage. Postmarital counseling should be encouraged to help address possible problems that are likely to arise and destabilize couples during the course of the marriage.