EXTRAMARITAL BEHAVIOURS AS CORRELATE OF MARITAL DYSFUNCTIONS AMONG MARRIED PEOPLE IN KOGI EAST EDUCATION ZONE OF KOGI STATE

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the relationship between extramarital behaviours and marital dysfunctions among married couple in Kogi East Education Zone of Kogi State. To guide the study, five research questions were posed and four hypotheses formulated in line with the specific purposes of the study. The literature reviewed was based on the following subheadings; concept of behaviour, concept of extramarital behaviour, concept of marriage, concept of marital dysfunction, concept of length of marriage and concept of gender. Also, three theories were reviewed. These include Problematic Interaction Theory by Austin Babrow 1992, Role Theory by Biddle, Bruce and Thomas, Edwin (1966) and Scudder’s Theory of Communication (1980), review of empirical studies were carried out and a summary of literature review was given. The study adopted correlation research design. The population of the study was 924. It consists of the married teachers and their husbands from all the public secondary schools in Kogi East Education Zone of Kogi State which also served as sample for the study. A questionnaire was used as instrument for the study. It was validate and trial tested to ascertain its reliability which yielded an overall reliability index of 0.80. Pearson’s product Correlation and regression analysis, Mean and Standard Deviation were used in answering the research questions and testing the hypotheses respectively. The result showed that some of the forms of extramarital behaviours exhibited by married men and women are; kissing others outside their spouse, sleeping with others who are not their spouses and having sexual relationship outside their spouses for financial needs and satisfaction. It also showed that constituents of marital dysfunction among married men and women include; lack of trust among couples, disagreements regarding issues like child discipline among others, Again, it was discovered that extramarital behaviours and marital dysfunction have strong positive relationship based on length of marriage. Also, the result indicated that some causes of extramarital behaviours among married men and women include; economic status of couples, lack of trust among couples, nagging, ignorance of the role of sex in marriage among others. Lastly, the study found out that extramarital behaviour has positive relationship with marital dysfunction among couples. These results were discussed in relation to previous findings of similar studies and the educational implications of the findings were pointed out. Also recommendations such as couple should exclusively reserve sexual affairs to their partners alone to ensure peaceful and harmonious marital life were made and the limitations of the study and suggestions for further studies were also highlighted.