ROLE OF DIALOGUE IN RESOLVING MARITAL CONFLICTS AMONG COUPLES IN IREPODUN L.G.A, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Conflict is an inevitable aspect of family life, as every couple is bound to experience varying degrees of differences, misunderstandings, and incompatibilities due to individual backgrounds, expectations, values, and communication patterns. When such conflicts are poorly managed, they may escalate into emotional distress, communication breakdown, estrangement, and, ultimately, the dissolution of marriages. This study investigated the role of dialogue in resolving marital conflicts among couples in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. A descriptive survey design was adopted and data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire titled “Marital Conflict and Dialogue Resolution Questionnaire” (MCDRQ) with 15 items. The instrument was subjected to validation. Its reliability was established using the test-retest method, yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.84. A total of 364 respondents were sampled for the study. The data collected were analysed using percentages, t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that majority of the respondents affirmed that dialogue plays a significant role in resolving marital conflicts. The study found no significant difference in the role of dialogue based on respondents’ religion, length of marriage, or ethnicity, suggesting that the impact of dialogue in marital conflict resolution is generally consistent across these demographic factors. Based on the findings, it was recommended that professional counsellors and religious institutions should organise periodic workshops and seminars aimed at equipping couples with effective communication and conflict resolution skills. These programmes should include practical activities like role-playing, communication exercises, and emotional regulation training.