RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND MARITAL SATISFACTION AMONG YOUNG COUPLES IN JOS METROPOLIS, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between communication strategies (active listening, assertiveness, conflict resolution) and marital satisfaction among 200 young couples (ages 20-35) in Jos metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. Despite cultural emphasis on marital harmony, urban stressors and traditional gender roles often strain couple interactions. Employing a cross-sectional survey design, data from 200 young couples (stratified sampling) in Jos metropolis were analyzed via mean and standard deviation. Couples from different wards in Jos were targeted for this study. Structured questionnaire (Likert-scale items on communication strategies and marital satisfaction) was used to elicit information from the couples. The validity of the instrument was ensured alongside the reliability. Communication strategies/patterns commonly used by young couples in Jos metropolis were identified. Also, level of marital satisfaction among the young couples was discovered. The study provided insights for culturally tailored interventions, including skill-building workshops and community-based counseling, to strengthening marital bonds and family cohesion in Nigeria.