Couples Communication Training and Relationship Satisfaction Among Newlyweds in Taraba State, North East Nigeria

Communication quality is the most consistently identified predictor of relationship satisfaction and stability in marriage research, and structured couples communication training has demonstrated efficacy as a preventive psychological intervention in Western samples. In North East Nigeria, where high marital conflict and divorce rates are increasingly recognised, the professional application of communication training with newly married couples warrants empirical examination. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a structured 10-session couples communication training programme on relationship satisfaction among newlyweds in Jalingo, Taraba State. A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design with a control group is applied to 50 couples (25 treatment, 25 waitlist control) recruited from two faith organisations and the Taraba State Family Court. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Communication Patterns Questionnaire are administered at baseline, post-training, and three-month follow-up. Repeated measures ANOVA and effect size calculations are performed in SPSS. Available couples psychology literature from Nigeria's North East zone identifies gender-unequal communication norms, poor conflict de-escalation skills, and financial argument patterns as the dominant communication challenges in newly married couples. Gottman's Sound Relationship House Theory and the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Programme framework provide the reference. Findings will support marriage preparation and enrichment programming by faith and social service organisations in Taraba State. Keywords: couples communication training, relationship satisfaction, newlyweds, Taraba State, North East Nigeria.