Effects of Communication on Marital Adjustment of Couples in South Senatorial District of Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effect of communication on marital adjustment of couples in zone C senatorial district of Benue State. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The sample for the study consists of 376 couples drawn from Ado, Agatu, Obi, and Okpokwu Local Government Areas of Benue State. The design employed for the study was the descriptive survey design. An instrument designed by the researchers tagged Communication and Marital Adjustment Questionnaire (CMAQ) was used to collect data. The data obtained were analysed using mean scores, t-test and chi-square. The result of the study revealed that communication has significant effect on marital adjustment of couples.  That is listening; non-verbal expression and verbal expression have significant effect on marital adjustment. It was found that gender differences exist in the communication and marital adjustment of couples in south senatorial district of Benue State. Based on the findings some recommendations were made, which include: marriage counsellors should stress on gender differences as it relates to marital communication when counselling married couples so as to enhance marital adjustment. The government, religious institutions such as churches, mosques, Non - governmental organisations, marital counsellors amongst others to organise seminars and workshops to re-orientate couples to improve on their communication to enhance marital adjustment.