Emotional Intelligence And Marital Instabilty Of The Okrika People In Rivers State.
DR. IYAYE, Nyengiala Joseph
Faculty of Humanities, Department of Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies., Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. P.M.B. 5047, Rumuolumeni, Iwofe, Port-Harcourt Rivers State.
DR. AIYENIGBA, Kate Charles
Faculty of Humanities, Department of Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies., Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. P.M.B. 5047, Rumuolumeni, Iwofe, Port-Harcourt Rivers State.
Keywords: Emotional intelligence, Marital instability, Communication, Infidelity
Abstract
The study examines emotional intelligence and marital instability amongst the Okrika people in Rivers State. The interest is on how emotional intelligence can promote stability of marriages in Okrika. The study is guided by three research questions, and adopted “The Gottman Method Couples Therapy” created by psychologist John Gottman and his wife Julie Schwartz Gottam (1996) as the theoretical framework. The study utilized descriptive qualitative research design, where both primary and secondary data were utilized. The population of the study is 319,700 with a sample size of 82 using an interview schedule to elicit data from respondents. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Person Interview (KPI) was applied for data collection with Purposive and snowballing sampling methods used in selecting participants for this study. Data is analyzed thematically, the study concludes that, there is need for couples to engage in pre-marital counselling. The study therefore recommends that effective communication should be practiced in marriages as it is an essential tool, Conflict resolution mechanisms is advocated for maintaining a healthy and stable marriage. Seeking professional counselling to help couples address underlying marital issues geared towards recovering relationship is also recommended.