THE DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF MARITAL STRESS AMONG WORKING AND NON-WORKING MARRIED WOMEN IN SABON-GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

THE DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF MARITAL STRESS AMONG WORKING AND NON-WORKING MARRIED WOMEN IN SABON-GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract:

Stress plays an important role in understanding the quality and stability of close relationships. However, the basic challenge is in terms of the consequences that this phenomenon may result in. The multiple role stress women experience both at home and at the workplace and how they cope with such stress has been the focus of many researchers in recent times. It is against this backdrop, that this study examined the differential effects of marital stress among working and non-working married women of Sabon-Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State; the types of marital stress; factors responsible for marital stress and the coping strategies adopted by working and non-working married women were investigated. This study was anchored on role theory to provide a theoretical explanation for the topic under investigation. Using simple stratified and purposive sampling techniques, a sample of 320 married women were administered questionnaire. In addition, six in-depth interviews (IDI) including social workers, community and religious leaders were conducted. Three focus group discussions were conducted. The findings from the analysis shows that non-working married women were significantly more stressed than the working married women in the study area. Practicing polygamy, living with relatives and overcrowding were identified as factors of stress among non-working married women. The study also revealed that the type of stress working women encountered at home is, sharing of car park and waking up early and prepare children for school. All the respondents agreed that husbands stress was also the major factor contributing to their own stress. Main stress point related to problem with in-laws was also agreed upon by both the groups of respondents. However, the occupation of respondents influenced the type of constraints faced as house wives. Time management and financial constraints were identified as the major determining factors of this stress among non-working married women. It is therefore, recommended that counseling and social support intervention is necessary in order to assist the needs of women in general.

THE DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF MARITAL STRESS AMONG WORKING AND NON-WORKING MARRIED WOMEN IN SABON-GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA