Study of Marital Conflict and Its Effects on Children’s Behaviour in Ibadan, Oyo State

Interparental conflict exposes children to chronic stress with documented behavioural and emotional consequences, and understanding its specific effects in Nigerian urban family contexts is important for counselling planning. This study examined the effects of marital conflict on the behaviour of primary school children in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. A comparative descriptive design was adopted, comparing 130 children from high-conflict households with 130 children from low-conflict households, all aged 8 to 12 years and attending public primary schools. Marital conflict intensity was assessed through parent-report questionnaires, and child behaviour was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire parent and teacher versions. Mann-Whitney U tests compared behavioural outcomes between groups. Children from high-conflict homes showed significantly higher total difficulty scores (p < 0.001), with elevated emotional symptoms (p < 0.001), conduct problems (p < 0.001), and hyperactivity (p < 0.01) subscale scores. Peer relationship problems were significantly more common among high-conflict household children. Teachers' ratings confirmed higher classroom behaviour difficulties among this group. Fewer than 20 percent of affected children had received any counselling support. The study recommends training school counsellors in family systems approaches, establishing parent counselling groups within primary schools, and developing child-centred play therapy services for children from conflictual family environments in Oyo State. Keywords: marital conflict, child behaviour, primary school children, Oyo State, family counselling