EFFECT OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION TRAINING ON COMMUNICATION PATTERNS AMONG NEWLY MARRIED ADULTS IN KEFFI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAW A STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of conflict resolution training on the communication patterns of newly married adults in Keffi Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test control group design was adopted, involving 40 purposively selected married adults (20 experimental and 20 control) within the first five years of marriage. Instruments used for data collection included the Marital Communication Patterns Questionnaire (MCPQ), Conflict Resolution Style Inventory (CRSI), and Participant Reflection Journals. The intervention covered active listening, emotion-focused communication, de-escalation techniques, and joint problem-solving over a six-week period. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and thematic analysis. The findings revealed significant improvements in constructive communication among participants in the experimental group. The study highlights the value of early conflict resolution training in promoting healthy marital communication and provides implications for counselling practice.