PARENTS’ MARITAL CONFLICTS AS CORRELATE OF MORAL ADJUSTMENT BASED ON GENDER AMONG IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN ABIA STATE

Abstract

This study examined the correlation between parents’ marital conflicts and moral adjustment
among in-school adolescents in Abia State, with a focus on gender differences. A correlation
survey research design was employed, guided by two research questions and two null
hypotheses. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a sample of 878 senior
secondary II students from a population of 8783 in Abia State. Data were collected using two
instruments: Parents' Marital Conflict Questionnaire (PMCQ) and the Moral Adjustment
Questionnaire (MAQ). The instruments were validated by three experts from Michael Okpara
University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. The instruments' reliability was assessed using
Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, while their internal consistency was evaluated
using Cronbach Alpha statistic. These yielded 0.723, and 0.742 coefficients for the stability of
MAQ, and PMCQ respectively as well as 0.764, and 0.676 for internal consistencies of MAQ,
and PMCQ respectively. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to answer
the research questions while linear regression analysis was used to test the null hypotheses at
0.05 level of significance. The study's findings revealed that gender does not significantly
influence the relationship between parents’ marital conflicts and moral adjustment among inschool adolescents. Consequently, the study concluded that parents' marital conflicts are
strongly correlated with the moral adjustment of in-school adolescents in Abia State. Based on
these findings, the study recommends that government and school proprietors employ at least
one psychologist or school counselor to support students in addressing their moral adjustment
challenges.