CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND RESOLUTION OF MARITAL CONFLICT AS PERCEIVED BY MARRIED ADULTS IN ONDO METROPOLIS

Abstract

Abstract The study investigated causes, consequences and resolution of marital conflict. The population of the study comprised all married adults in Ondo metropolis and the sample consisted of 100 randomly selected married adults in Ondo metropolis. A survey research design was adopted for the study. Three research questions were raised to guide the study. Structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Reliability of the instrument was ascertained using Cronbach alpha which yielded a coefficient of 0.867. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, simple percentages and ranking. The findings of the study revealed causes of marital conflict to include money, poor or no communication, unsatisfying sex, relatives interference, schedule of work, repeated mistakes, careless talk, extra marital sex and hostile personality among others: the consequences are psychological abuse of partners, depression, physical abuse of partners, alcoholism among others while identifying the real issue, expressing your feelings, not bringing up the past and specifying areas of agreement are among the means of resolving marital conflict. It was therefore recommended that financial empowerment is effective communication should be encouraged among married adults.