INFLUENCE OF COMMUNICATION STYLES ON MARITAL STABILITY AMONG MARRIED INDIVIDUALS IN AKOKO SOUTH WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE

This study investigated the influence of communication styles on conflict resolution and marital stability among married couples in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State. The purpose was to examine how various communication methods impact the emotional connection, understanding, and satisfaction between spouses. Specifically, the study sought to explore different styles of communication used by couples, the role these styles play in resolving conflicts, and how they contribute to the stability of marriages. The study was guided by four research questions and two hypotheses. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The target population consisted of married individuals across various communities in the Local Government Area. A sample of 150 married respondents was selected using simple random sampling. Data was collected through a self-structured questionnaire validated by experts in counselling and marriage studies. The test-retest method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument, and a coefficient of 0.83 was obtained, confirming its reliability. Descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores) were used to analyze the research questions, while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. Results showed that the mean scores for communication styles across respondents were consistently above the decision benchmark (mean ≥ 2.50), indicating a high level of agreement on the relevance of communication to marital satisfaction and conflict resolution. Findings showed a statistically significant relationship between communication styles and marital stability, with a calculated t-value of 4.196 and a p-value of 0.00 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. Similarly, study further revealed a significant influence of communication styles on conflict resolution among married couples, further supporting the research findings. These results statistically confirm that couples who engage in open, honest, and emotionally aware communication are more likely to maintain stable marriages and resolve conflicts effectively. Hypotheses tested revealed that there is a significant relationship between communication styles and both conflict resolution and marital stability. Based on the findings, it was concluded that effective communication plays a crucial role in fostering stable and satisfying marital relationships. The study recommended that married couples be encouraged through counselling, community education, and religious platforms to develop open, honest, and emotionally intelligent communication habits. It also suggested that family and cultural institutions promote supportive communication norms to enhance marital harmony. Keywords: Communication styles, Conflict resolution, Marital stability, Married couples.