Marital Distress among Police Personnel in Awka Metropolis: The Influence of Argument and Self-efficacy
O. Joe-Akunne, Chiamaka *
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
A. Nwankwo, Emeka
Department of Psychology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State, Nigeria.
U. Ezeakabekwe, Samuel
Department of Psychology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study investigated whether argument and self-efficacy would have an influence on marital distress among police personnel. A total number of one hundred and ninety-seven (197), Nigeria police force (NPF) personnel working in Police headquarters; served as participants for the study. They were selected using non-probability sampling (convenient sampling techniques). They consist of 87(44.2%) females and 110 (58.5%) males; their age ranged from 22-51 years and their mean age was 34.94 with standard deviation of 6.96. Three instruments were used namely: Marital Stress Inventory, Argumentativeness Scale and General Self-Efficacy Scale. Two by Two Factorial design was adopted. Two Way Analysis of Variance statistics was used to analyze the data. Two hypotheses were tested: the result indicated that hypothesis one which stated that there will be a significant difference between those with positive argument and those with negative argument on marital distress among police personnel and hypothesis two which stated that there will be a significant difference between those with positive self-efficacy and those with negative self-efficacy on marital distress among police personnel were both not accepted at p>.05. Therefore, the study recommended that counselling/marital psychologist should intensify their efforts to organize seminars/conferences on the implications of these factors (argument and self-efficacy) on marital distress among police personnel.
Keywords: Argument, self-efficacy, marital distress and police personnel.