Predictors of emotional abuse among married ministers in Africa inland church, Makueni County kenya

Abstract

Emotional abuse is a prevalent issue in intimate partner relationships, yet few studies have explored this phenomenon within the context of clergy marriages, particularly in the Africa Inland Church (AIC) of Makueni County, Kenya. This study aimed to identify key predictors of emotional abuse among ministers' wives in AIC Makueni County. To address the research problem, the following objectives were pursued : to identify the key factors that drive emotional abuse among ministers wives in the AIC, to explore the various forms of emotional abuse among ministers' wives in the AIC, to assess the impact of emotional abuse on the holistic wellness of ministers’ wives in AIC Makueni County, and to develop theologically grounded strategies to address emotional abuse within the AIC Makueni County, Kenya. The study employed a qualitative approach, utilizing a narratological research design and in-depth interviews with open-ended questions to gather rich, detailed narratives from participants. Purposive sampling was used to select ten respondents based on marital duration, age, and theological training, ensuring diverse perspectives. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study was informed by Mercy Oduyoye's feminist theory, which helped to analyze gender dynamics and power structures in the context of emotional abuse. The findings revealed that power dynamics, misinterpretation of scriptures, silence, infidelity, financial dependence, unrealistic expectations, emotional neglect, and loneliness were key predictors of emotional abuse among ministers' wives in AIC Makueni County. This study contributes valuable insights to the academic literature on emotional abuse in clergy marriages and provides a foundation for developing targeted interventions within the AIC and similar religious contexts. The results will be useful for academicians, religious leaders, and policymakers in addressing emotional abuse and promoting healthier relationships within families and religious communities.