COUNSELLING AND FAMILY CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Abstract

The study investigated Family Conflict Resolution: Has counselling an answer to it? The population of the study consisted of twenty thousand and eighteen (20018) families in Ngor Okpala LGA in Imo State. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A sample size of one thousand and one (1001) families was drawn from the population using simple random sampling technique. Three purposes and research questions guided the study. A 25 item structured questionnaire titled families conflict resolution strategies (FCRS) was used to elicit information from respondents. The responses pattern adopted for the questionnaire was a four point rating scale pattern. Validation of the instrument was carried out by experts in Measurement and Evaluation, and Guidance and Counselling. The reliability index of 0.80 was established using cronbach Alpha Analysis. Data analysis was done using mean score of 2.5 as the reference for acceptance. The study revealed among others that causes of family conflict are numerous such as communication, financial concerns and sibling’s rivalry, also that counselling can be an answer to family conflict. Based on these findings, it was recommended that professional counsellors should extend their services to non-school settings like the family for the good and well-being of members from such families.