Communication Styles and Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Marital Instability among Married Adults in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Marital instability has become an increasing social concern in Nigeria due to rising cases of marital conflict, emotional disconnection, separation, and divorce, all of which negatively affect family cohesion and societal stability. Despite the growing prevalence of marital instability, limited empirical attention has been given to the psychosocial factors contributing to this problem within the South-West Nigerian context. This study investigated communication styles, and emotional intelligence as predictors of marital instability among married adults in South-West Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised married adults in South-West Nigeria, while a sample of 400 respondents was selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Communication Styles, Emotional Intelligence and Marital Instability Questionnaire (CSEMIQ). The validity of the instrument was established through expert review, while reliability was determined using the Cronbach’s Alpha method. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages, mean scores, and standard deviations were used to answer the research questions, while Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the passive-aggressive communication style was the most commonly used communication pattern among married adults. The study also found a moderate level of marital instability, particularly in unresolved conflicts, emotional disconnection, and dissatisfaction within marriage. Furthermore, a significant relationship was established between communication styles and marital instability among married adults in South-West Nigeria. The study concluded that ineffective communication patterns significantly contribute to marital instability