Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS)

Beyond the Couple Dyad: A GAP-MCT Conceptualisation of Extended-Family Influence, Cultural Meaning, And Marital Conflict in African Contexts

Adetunji, Dr. Christian Matthew

1 October 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 10, pp. 1809-1814

DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E10/2026-01

Abstract

Purpose: This conceptual article extends GAP Marriage Counselling Theory (GAP-MCT) to explain how extended-family and wider contextual systems may support marriage, generate relational discrepancies, or intensify conflict in African contexts. Approach: We integrate scholarship on African marital relationships, kinship, cultural psychology, and systemic family therapy with the core constructs of GAP-MCT. Analysis: Extended-family influence becomes clinically significant when spouses assign different meanings to obligation, authority, privacy, loyalty, care, and belonging. These discrepancies may be appraised as threats to identity, attachment, status, fairness, or family membership, prompting protective responses and recursive escalation within the couple and across the wider family network. The article introduces the contextual relational field, distinguishes supportive involvement from intrusive or coercive involvement, and advances six propositions for research and practice. Implications: GAP-MCT provides a culturally responsive way to retain the couple as an important relational unit without isolating it from its social systems. The framework also guards against romanticising communalism or using culture to excuse gender inequality, coercive control, or violence.

Keywords: contextual relational field, kinship systems, networked escalation, relational gaps, threat appraisal

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Adetunji, & Dr. Christian Matthew (2026). Beyond the Couple Dyad: A GAP-MCT Conceptualisation of Extended-Family Influence, Cultural Meaning, And Marital Conflict in African Contexts. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(10), 1809-1814. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E10/2026-01

@article{Adetunji2026,
  title   = {Beyond the Couple Dyad: A GAP-MCT Conceptualisation of Extended-Family Influence, Cultural Meaning, And Marital Conflict in African Contexts},
  author  = {Adetunji and Dr. Christian Matthew},
  journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
  year    = {2026},
  volume  = {2},
  number  = {10},
  pages   = {1809-1814},
  doi     = {10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E10/2026-01},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E10/2026-01}
}

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