DOMESTIC STRESS AND MARITAL CONFLICT IN FAMILIES IN NIGERIA DURING THE COVID- 19 PANDEMIC: COUNSELLING IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

This study focuses on domestic stress and marital conflict in families in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic and its Counselling implications. Domestic stress and marital conflict are not good omen to couples as they pose serious challenges for marital adjustment and harmony in families. Domestic Stress and Marital conflict are the most dangerous and silent killers in many families around the world today and Nigeria in particular. Factors such as hunger in families, communication gap among couples, lack of emotional support among couples, Infidelity in marriages among couples were identified among others as major sources of domestic stress and marital conflict   among couples in families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper then discussed Counselling implications for domestic stress and marital conflict management and finally, suggestions were highlighted among others include; that husbands should love their wives unconditionally and the wives should as well respond positively to this love unconditionally, that there should be effective communication among couples during  the COVID-19 pandemic, that there should be mutual understanding among couples during the COVID-19 pandemic, that there should be exercise of patience among couples during the COVID-19 pandemic, that there should be an element of flexibility in decision making among couples in order to accommodate new ideas during the COVID- 19 pandemic during the COVID-19 pandemic, that there should not be unhealthy confrontations among couples during the COVID-19 pandemic, that there should be an acceptance of each other's limitations and weaknesses among couples during the COVID-19 pandemic, that there should be emotional supports among couples during the COVID-19 pandemic, that couples should be sharing their difficult moments, anxieties and concerns together during the COVID-19 pandemic and that couples should avoid conflict around financial matters during the COVID-19 pandemic.