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Articles

CJBSS: VOL. 14, NO. 1, JUNE 2023

Navigating the Role of Conflict Management Strategies in Strengthening Marital Bonds among Nigerian Academic Staff in Post-COVID-19 Era

  • Ebeguki IGBINOBA
Submitted
November 7, 2023
Published
2023-06-30

Abstract

This study explores strategies for promoting marital bonds among Nigerian academic personnel in the post-COVID-19 era in view of the significant challenges given by the lockdowns and lifestyle changes brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic. Couples frequently face marital issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made them more challenging, particularly for academic personnel who experienced previously unheard-of disruptions to their typical work schedules and routines. The study employs Rahim's model of interpersonal conflict management techniques, which comprises integrating, obliging, dominating, compromising, and avoiding styles, to assess their effectiveness in minimizing marital problems in the academic setting. Academic staff from both private and public universities in six different states of Nigeria contributed information, creating a representative and diverse sample for the study. The findings emphasize the value of cooperative and accommodating methods for resolving conflicts and demonstrate how effectively integrating and accommodating conflict resolution strategies have reduced marital conflicts among academic personnel after COVID-19. Although dominating and compromise behaviors did not significantly lessen marital problems, this suggests that these methods might not work well for academic staff members during the epidemic. Additionally, the avoiding strategy had a moderate impact, demonstrating that while putting off difficulties could temporarily reduce tensions, doing so is not enough to ensure marital harmony. This study contributes to the understanding of dispute resolution methods in the specific post-COVID-19 environment of Nigerian academic personnel. The findings offer valuable insights for couples and organizations looking to strengthen marriages among academic staff. Future research should examine the effects of cultural and contextual factors on conflict resolution as well as the long-term effects of these strategies on the quality of relationships and marital satisfaction.