PERCEIVED CONSEQUENCES OF MARITAL INSTABILITY ...

PERCEIVED CONSEQUENCES OF MARITAL INSTABILITY ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATES IN BENIN

CITY, EDO STATE

________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACT

1.0 Introduction

(Omoniyi-Oyafunke, Falola and Salau, 2014)

Oleabhiele, E. J

The institution of Marriage is the oldest standing social institution ordained by God for the purpose of companionship and procreation. As a social institution, it

gives legitimacy to sexual relationship and reproduction by means of a social contract between two individuals to become husband and wife Gove, 2006;

.Although, marriage is intended to be stable and unending, recent trends given

changes in marriage values and family structures which have redefined marriage institutions in most societies including Nigeria is becoming ever more frail and unstable with severe implication for the overall development and well being of

legitimate offspring within the family.

Marital instability has become a recurrent feature in most homes and has been

observed to significantly affect the academic performance of children. This research work examined the consequences of marital instability on the academic performance of undergraduates in Benin City. The conflict theory was used to explain changes in

social relations between couples as arising when interest becomes individualized thereby affecting the achievement of individual needs and aspirations in the family especially the academic performance of their children. The study adopted a survey approach and made use of primary data collected through questionnaires

administered to two hundred (200) students of Benson Idahosa University and University of Benin City, Edo State. The data collected were analyzed in simple percentages and chi-square was used to test the hypotheses of the research work. The

findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between these variables; lack of motivation, depression and nervous breakdown and the academic performance of undergraduates. And based on these findings, it was recommended that the government and all stakeholders should legitimate programmes such as pre-

marital and marital counseling to avoid marital instability in the home thereby ameliorating its effects on the academic performances of undergraduates from such homes.

: marital instability, undergraduates, academic performance, consequences. Key words

Word count: 198

[email protected]

[email protected]

&Ighalo, P. O

1. Oleabhiele, E. J is a lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Benson Idahosa Univ ersity, Benin City, Nigeria.

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Omoniyi-Oyafunke, Falola and Salau, 2014; Omoruyi, 2014

The term marital instability is a situation whereby a couple in a home is going through relational difficulties. It implies marital crisis or problems between couples that could result in marriage breakdown through separation, desertion or divorce.

According to Alika and Edosa (2012), a marriage or family is structurally stable or unstable. An unstable marriage is one that is not structurally intact, as a result of quarrels, fights, separation or even divorce. Such marriages are characterized with frequent quarrels, disagreements and fights between couples in the home.

Marital instability has been observed as a contemporary social problem because it significa ntly affects a number of homes especially within the Nigerian

society. The situation in most homes is such that even the children have become the burden bearers just like the popular saying that; “when two elephant fights, the grass suffers”. This ugly experience often many atimes leaves them emotionally and psychologically imbalance with feelings of depression, anger and even frustration as

they are cut-in-between sides of their parent. These unpleasant experiences of children in the home front could significantly affect a child's concentration in school, thereby impinging on his academic performance.

In a research on the “Effects of Family Structure Type and Stability on Children's Academic Performance Trajectories”, Yongmin and Yuanzhang (2011) found that children in disrupted two-biological-parent families saw slower academic

growth relative to non-disrupted two-biological-parent. To some degree, there is simple evidence to show that marital instability brings about social, academi c and emotional problems such as stress, tension, lack of motivation and frustration. Obviously, these manifestations act negatively on a child's academic performance

(Schultz 2006; Alika and Edosa, 2012).

Although, a lot has been done on family and the effect of a broken family, divorce and the effects of divorce and issues concerning the home which have caused

damages to the lives of children (Ichado, 1998; Frazer, 2001; Schultz, 2006; Yongmin and Yuanzhang, 2011; Alika and Edosa, 2012; Maciver and Dimkpa, 2012;

), not much has been

done on the effect of marital instability (in relation to variables such as lack of motivation, depression and nervous breakdown) on the academic performance of undergraduates in Benin City, Edo State. In the light of the above, the study therefore provided answers to the following questions:

What are the perceived consequences of marital instability on the

academic performance of undergraduates?

What is the relationship between lack of motivation and the ac ademic

performance of undergraduates?

What is the relationship between depression and the academic


What is the relationship between nervous breakdown and academic


1.

2.

3.

4.

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Oleabhiele, E. J & Ighalo, P. O

RESEARCH OBJECTIVESThe main purpose of this research work is to examine the perceived

:

:

consequences of marital instability on the academic performance of undergraduates

in Benin City, Edo State. Other specific objectives are:

to examine the relationship between lack of motivation and the academic performance of undergraduates?

to examine the relationship between depression and the academic performance of undergraduates?

to examine the relationship between nervous breakdown and the academic


The research hypotheses of this research are as follows:

Hypothesis 1:: There is no significant relationship between lack of motivation and the academic

performance of undergraduates.

Hypothesis 2:

There is no significant relationship between depression and the academic

performance of undergraduates.

Hypothesis 3:

Marital instability is a disagreement through which couples involved perceive a threat to their needs, interests or concern and it is also seen as a struggle between couples with opposing needs, ideas, beliefs, values or goals (Katzenback and Smith, 1992).

Instability arises as an attempt to match the behavior and expectations of one with the behavior and expectations of the other. This is seen as a threat to the family

system because it entails disharmony when husband and wife on a certain goal to pursue, it usually results to instability and confusion between them unless they come to an agreement on the goal (Olaitan and Akpan, 2003).

Marital instability is also seen as a regular occurrence in the homes of married people. When two people come t ogether, each partner comes with his/her individualized personal character, needs, attitudes, values and idiosyncrasies (Uwe,

2006). Therefore, marital instability in this study can be seen as a strain in marriage interaction between couples who are living together.

Marital instability has become a thing of concern in this contemporary society and this is associated with separation, divorce, and widowhood. Separation and divorce are social phenomena created by husband, wife or both, but widowhoo d

1.

2.

3.

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEWMeaning of Marital Instability

Ho

H

H

o

oThere is no significant relationship between nervous breakdown and the

academic performance of undergraduates

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Perceived Consequences Of Marital Instability On The Academic Performance Of Undergraduates In Benin City, Edo State

is beyond the control of human being, it is related to death and thus universal

(Anima, 2008). Separation may be in two categories: physical separation i.e. when the husband and the wife reside separately without resolving their marital tie; mental

separation i.e. when the couple decides to live together in the same household but

without having biological and psychological relations. It is imperative to note that

when marriage is dissolved in the court of law, it is called divorce, but when it is

dissolved by death is called widowhood (Borgotta and Edgor, 2000).

An important parameter in measuring the success of undergraduates is their academic achievements. It was observed that success or high academic performance

has become a huge task to accomplish by undergraduates recently (Ushie, Emeka, Onoja and Owolabi, 2012). The fall in the academic performance of undergraduates in the Nigerian Universities has been of great concern to educationists, guidance and counselors in particular. Des pite the guidance programs and counseling strategies

mounted in schools to improve undergraduates' performances academically, yet poor performances are recorded yearly and family background and issues within the family such as marital instability may play an influencing role as it plays very

important roles in undergraduates' educational attainments. It has also been observed that children (undergraduates) from marital unstable homes often score no better on academic achievement and cognitive as sessments than do children from

marital

Family setting and background is the key to an undergraduate's life in and

outside school, it has the most important influence on their academic achievement and consists of factors such as parental practices and aspired family size, marital

Marital Instability and Academic Performance of Undergraduates

Consequences of Marital Instability on Undergraduates Academics

stable homes ( and ).

However, it was noted that there is an awareness of the importance of the home environment or family on undergraduates' academic performances. An

undergraduate's social, economic, emotional and psychological state can be greatly affected by the home and this points back to the parents since they are the first socializing agents in his/her life (Bradley and Crown, 2002).

More so, findings has shown that, the experiences in living in a marital stable to living in a marital un stable home are frequently associated with declines in child well-being and academic achievement ( ;

; ). When marital instability takes place in homes with evidences like fights and quarrels between couples, the children are often neglected. And such careless neglect on the part of parents in terms of the necessary assistance

and guidance for their children's academic pursuit may result in children's poor academic performance. Situations such as this will distract undergraduates from their normal way of life as they may drop out of school and become nuisance to the

society. Therefore, what this implies is that the foundation of what the undergraduate becomes in the society is laid in the home and at the initial stage of his/her life. Parents therefore have important roles to play in ensuring that their children acquire the appropriate social, psychological, moral and academic development.

Jeynes, 1998 2000

Coleman, Ganong and Fine, 2000 Brown,

2006 Fomby and Cherlin, 2007

98


is beyond the control of human being, it is related to death and thus universal

(Anima, 2008). Separation may be in two categories: physical separation i.e. when the husband and the wife reside separately without resolving their marital tie; mental

separation i.e. when the couple decides to live together in the same household but

without having biological and psychological relations. It is imperative to note that

when marriage is dissolved in the court of law, it is called divorce, but when it is

dissolved by death is called widowhood (Borgotta and Edgor, 2000).

An important parameter in measuring the success of undergraduates is their academic achievements. It was observed that success or high academic performance

has become a huge task to accomplish by undergraduates recently (Ushie, Emeka, Onoja and Owolabi, 2012). The fall in the academic performance of undergraduates in the Nigerian Universities has been of great concern to educationists, guidance and counselors in particular. Des pite the guidance programs and counseling strategies

mounted in schools to improve undergraduates' performances academically, yet poor performances are recorded yearly and family background and issues within the family such as marital instability may play an influencing role as it plays very

important roles in undergraduates' educational attainments. It has also been observed that children (undergraduates) from marital unstable homes often score no better on academic achievement and cognitive as sessments than do children from

marital

Family setting and background is the key to an undergraduate's life in and

outside school, it has the most important influence on their academic achievement and consists of factors such as parental practices and aspired family size, marital

Marital Instability and Academic Performance of Undergraduates

Consequences of Marital Instability on Undergraduates Academics

stable homes ( and ).

However, it was noted that there is an awareness of the importance of the home environment or family on undergraduates' academic performances. An

undergraduate's social, economic, emotional and psychological state can be greatly affected by the home and this points back to the parents since they are the first socializing agents in his/her life (Bradley and Crown, 2002).

More so, findings has shown that, the experiences in living in a marital stable to living in a marital un stable home are frequently associated with declines in child well-being and academic achievement ( ;

; ). When marital instability takes place in homes with evidences like fights and quarrels between couples, the children are often neglected. And such careless neglect on the part of parents in terms of the necessary assistance

and guidance for their children's academic pursuit may result in children's poor academic performance. Situations such as this will distract undergraduates from their normal way of life as they may drop out of school and become nuisance to the

society. Therefore, what this implies is that the foundation of what the undergraduate becomes in the society is laid in the home and at the initial stage of his/her life. Parents therefore have important roles to play in ensuring that their children acquire the appropriate social, psychological, moral and academic development.

Jeynes, 1998 2000

Coleman, Ganong and Fine, 2000 Brown,

2006 Fomby and Cherlin, 2007

99


instabilities, material characteristics, neighborhood, divorce cases, socio-economic

status, single parenting, etc. the environment inside the home is the Basic socializing agent and effects on undergraduate's interest in school and aspiration for the future

(Bradley and Crown, 2002).

Otite and Ogionwo (1979) emphasized that parents are the most important

agents for the child at the very early stages of development. This is because the family is the place where the child is first socialized in p reparation for the larger society. They further noted that; the family as a representative of the larger society is the place where the child learns the real behavior patterns, values, attitudes, norms

etc. of the society. Therefore, any form of disorder in the family in the form of marital instability will imply a faulty socialization process in the home which will obstruct a child from gaining these advantages as well as affect the child's subsequent

relationships in the society. The relevance of all these studies lies in the ability to direct our mind to the various consequences of marital instability.

Marital instability potentially confers several short-term and long-term

disadvantages on children from such homes. On the short-term, it reduces financial resources in the home due to disrupted cooperation in the financial involvement or commitment of both spouses. This may lead to poor investment of time and

resources in children such as the payment of children's' school fees which m ay have serious implications for the academic achievements and attainment of children as well as for the economic situation in the home. Because marital stable homes typically have more available time to spend with and resources to dedicate to

children, marital stable homes may be better in the long run at fostering child development academically and monitoring child behavior than marital unstable ones ( and ). According to Fomby and Cherlin, (2007),

reoccurring marital problems among parents could produce a series of short-term crises that could reduce a child's capacity for physical, emotional and mental (academic) development. Even if no crises ensue, marital instability could undermine a child's sense of security and trust which could, in turn, affect the child's

emotional development.

On the long-term, marital instability tends to undermine child well-being.

Marital instability in the ho me may lead to emotionally stressful events for children; declining parent-child interaction (relationships to key parental figures), a severe disruption of habit which can undermine and disrupt family roles and routines such as changes in children's routines. And consequently, disruptions in children's

perception and expectations about family life, which may create long-term stress and conflict in a child's life ( ;

; Furstenberg, Chase-Lansdale, Kiernan, Robins, Morrison,

Teitler, ; ; ; Fomby and Cherlin, 2007; Wagmiller, ershoff, Veliz, and

lements, 2010).

In accessing the social consequences of marital instability, some have studied its impact on the behaviors of undergraduates from marital unstable homes ( and ; Fomby and Cherlin, 2007; Wagmiller, ershoff, Veliz and lements, 2010; Alika and Edosa, 2012;

Hetherington, 1972 1979

Hetherington, Cox, and Cox 1978 Wallerstein and Kelly 1980 Cherlin,

1991 Wu and Thomson, 2001 DeLeire and Kalil, 2002G

C

Jeynes, 1998 2000G C

Ambakederemo and Ganagana, 2006;

Ambakederemo and Ganagana, 2006;

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teenagers or young adults witness their parents have marital issues or problems, they

may suffer a deep disillusionment that bitters their view of marriage and other

institutions such as school. Some conclude that all relationship is unreliable,

deemed to unravel someday in betrayal and infidelity; some turn to drugs, some descend to sexual promiscuity, some run away from home, and others turn to

criminal acts. Also, in the April (1994) edition of the same magazine, it was

mentioned that childr en of unstable homes were said to have high rate of

delinquency and anti-social behaviors than those children from intact homes, and

the rate of admission of these children to psychiatric hospitals may be twice as high as for children of intact homes. It can therefore be asserted that marital instability is

the most leading cause of childhood depression.

Similarly, a National Youth Survey that was carried out by

(1992), found out that youths from unstable homes were more delinquent or had more d elinquent acts within the society than youths from intact homes, it was also found that more than half of the offenders in that survey were

living with parents having issues.

Undergraduates who go through trauma of marital issues between their

parents in their homes hardly concentrate or focus in school. This makes them dull and disconnected from the activities in school as they are emotionally hit by what is going on in their homes. They hardly focus and listen to the lecturer teaching or copy down notes in class. All these leads to them failing whole fully in tests and in

examinations; it could also cause them to drop out of school.

Undergraduates from unstable homes develop bitterness and hatred towards

parents due to what they cause them in school. This may lead them to indulge in prostitution, armed robbery or even street fighting. It may create financial problem, which makes it difficult for their good upbringing. It also leads to frustrate the undergraduates and misdirect their destiny if adequate care is not taken.

Also, undergraduates suffer a great deal from marital instability in their homes; they get nervous disorders and various kinds of upsets of one sort or another,

they feel that they are living in a dangerous world (Russell; 1983). Furthermore, he said that it fills them probably first with horror, then with a kind of indifference and later on with an impulse to initiate.

The tension and hostility of unresolved conflict between the parents is projected on the c hild. And undergraduates do not have a particular stage in their life when they become matured to easily handle or escape the wrath of parental

separation because for the most part many are still teenagers or young adults. These effects of marital instability on the academic performances of undergraduates can be possibly prevented and even stopped.

Patterson, Reids and Dishion

Omoruyi, 2014). On an article titled “Help for Children of Divorce”, written in June

(1995) edition of Awake magazine; it was pointed out that older people handle marital instabilities little than younger ones. When undergraduates who are

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2.1 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

was considered

onflict theory

The Conflict theory anchored in the works of Karl Marx provided the theoretical underpinning for this work. It is a grand theory in Sociological enquiry that provides a macro level analysis of any given phenomenon (in this case marital Instability). The conflict theory because the theory provided a detailed insight for a full and clear understanding of the research problem. Conflict arising from social relations is an inevitable occurrence in any society whether large or small, therefore, the c onflict theory becomes the most suited and relevant in shedding light on the consequences of marital instability on the academic performance of undergraduates in Edo State.

The C implies that people enter into social relation in pursuit of their own interest to extract as much from the relationship as possible. Karl Marx viewed the conflict that arises among members of small groups as inevitable and inherent in the small group itself. Sooner or later two people will disagree, perhaps to the point of changing their personal relationship system. Conflict arises because of the differential distribution of social power.

Marx sees the family as a place of conflict with unequal relations of power between its members as the family is often a management of conflict between a man and a wife as a man wants to have it all in his ways and the wife wants the same.

According to Maclver, (1950) in his theory called 'what I love, you hate' based on conflict and unlike attitude, conflict in marriage (mari tal instability) may be because of the difference in the attitudes and interest of both the husband and wife which may eventually lead to marital instability.

Dahrendorf, (1959), suggested that conflict of authority is primarily embedded in relations, but when members of the relation recognize their separation interests, then the probability of conflict in a relationship becomes higher. Marital instability may rise if the wife finds out that her husband is pursuing a selfish interest in the famil y set-up and if she finds it difficult to achieve her own personal needs and aspiration in the family.

It is not a deniable fact that conflict also has the potential of being divisive; Coser, (1966) raises the question, if conflict unites, and then what tears apart? He was saying that conflict has the potential of being cohesive (holding social groups together and bringing benefits). Conflict can bring about the dissolution of alliances including marriage. If a husband and his wife try to resolve conflicts by continually resorting to non-legitimate power, feeling of exploitation, discontent and distrust may be generated.

Aside conflict theory reflecting on the relationship of couples in a home, it also reflects on the relationship between parents and the undergraduates from such homes which is a greater concern to this research work. Conflict do arise between the parents and the undergraduates in the home when there is marital instability as the undergraduate may want to take sides from either the mother or father's side leaving a gap between the undergraduate and the parent that is guilty on his/her path. Also, the undergraduate may have hatred for both parents and decide to turn his/her back at them due to the conflict in the home; he/she might as a result run away from home and may end up becoming a criminal due to what he will face outside.

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3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Socio- Demographic Characteristics of Respondents

The research design is the survey research design. The study's population comprised of the undergraduates of two universities consisting of University of Benin and Benson Idahosa University. The study's population formed a total of fifty-three thousand (53,000) respondents comprising 50,000 from Uniben and 3000 for BIU. The sampling technique used in this study is the purposive sampling technique. The research instruments used for the study are questionnaire and documentary sources. Section 1 comprised of the bio-data of the respondents. Section 2 focused on the consequences of marital instability on undergraduates' academic performance. Also, secondary sources which include articles, textbooks, newspaper, journals, magazines, etc provided information for the study. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentages and chi-square.

In this section, the data obtained from administered questionnaires given to

students of two selected universities during the period of the 2 to the 6 of February,

2015 were presented, interpreted and analyzed. The data was presented

schematically in line with the objectives of the study. This section also included the

results of the tests of hypotheses using chi-square.

The bio-data of the respondents are their socio-demographic and economic

characteristics that are summarized in Table 1 below.

nd th

Table 4:1: Frequency Distribution of Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondent

Name of school Frequency Percentage

Course of study

Art

Age 181

University of Benin 94 49.5%

Benson Idahosa 96 50.5%

Total 190 100%

Science 95 50%

Social science 28 15%

Male 88 46%

Female 102 54%

Total 190 100%

15-24 181 95%

25-34 9 5%

35-44 0 0

45-54 0 100%

Total 190 100%

Source: Field work, (2015)

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Perceived Consequences Of Mari tal Instability On The Academic Performance Of Undergraduates In Benin City, Edo State

Information from table 4.1.1 indicates that 94 (49.5%) of the respondents are in the University of Benin while 96 (50.5%) are in Benson Idahosa University. This shows that the number of respondents in Benson Idahosa University is slightly

greater than the number of respondents in the University of Benin.

The result on the respondents' type of school revealed that 94 (49.5%) of the respondents are in a Federal school while 96 (50.5%) of the respondents are in a

private school. This shows that the number of respondents in a Federal school is slightly lesser than the number of respondents in a private school.

On the course of study of the respondents, 95 (50%) of the respondents are sciences, 28 (15%) of the respondents are social sciences while 67 (35%) of the respondents are arts. This means that majority of the respondents are from sciences.

The response to the sex of the respondents shows more female respondents than male respondents. It indicated that 102 (54%) of the respondents were females while 88 (46%) of the respondents were males.

The study's results on respondents' age revealed that 181(95%) of the respondents are within the age bracket of 15-24 years of age, 9 (5%) of the respondents are within the age bracket of 25-34 years of age while 0 (0%) of the

respondents are within the age bracket of 35-44 and 45-54 indicating that respondents within the age bracket of 15-24 years of age formed majority of the sample population. This clearly represents the age range of underg raduates in most

Universities.

4.2 Perceived Consequences of Marital Instability on Undergraduates' Academic Performance

Table 4:2: Frequency Distribution on Consequences of Marital Instability onUndergraduates’ Academics Performance

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From the table above, the collective responses from the respondents revealed that there are consequences of marital instability on the academic performances of undergraduates. Also, the results showed that a higher number of respondents accepted the facts that lack of motivation and inspiration from parents to study, lack of financial support for books and other academic needs, suffering from depression that bitters their view of school, frustration and misconduct in school, nervous breakdowns, emotional and mental disturbances in school as given by 90%, 89%, 92%, 91%, 93%, 94% of the respondents were various consequences of marital instability on the academic performances of undergraduates.

The research hypotheses of this research are as follows:Hypothesis 1:

Hypothesis one was tested at 5% level of significance using chi-square. The chi-square value for hypothesis one is 251.811and the p-value is 0.000. Therefore, there is enough evidence that there is significant relationship between lack of motivation and academic performance of undergraduates as the p-value of 0.000 is less than the level of significance used in the study.

Hypothesis two tested at 5% level of significance, gave a chi-square value of 344.863 and p-value as 0.000. Therefore, there is enough evidence that there is significant relationship between depression and academic performance of undergraduates as the p-value of 0.000 is less than the level of significance used in the study.

Depression is mostly found in the lives of undergraduates who have parents that are undergoing marital instability in the home. This may be so because due to what they experience, such as fighting and quarrelling between the parents, and this could affect their emotions such that they become depressed. And as such, they carry this depression to class, making them passive in classroom activities thereby affecting their academic performance.

Finally, hypothesis three tested at 5% level of significance, gave a chi-square value of 279.811 and p-value as 0.000. Therefore, there is enough evidence that there is significant relationship between depression and academic performance of undergraduates as the p-value of 0.000 is less than the level of significance used in the study.

Undergraduates from an unstable home usually go through nervous breakdown resulting from the conflict between the parents in the home. This messes with their mind and thought processes so much so that the issues arising in the home could make them unfocused in school thereby affecting their academic performance.

Undergraduates suffer a great deal from marital instability in their homes; they get nervous disorders and various kinds of upsets of one sort or another (Russell; 1983).

4.3 OVERVIEW OF THE ANALYSIS AND TESTING OF HYPOTHESES

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Perceived Consequences Of Mari tal Instabili ty On The Academic Performance Of Undergraduates In Benin City, Edo State

5.0 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENATION

RECOMMENDATIONS

The role of Individual: Couples:

1. The findings of the research have various implications for couples in the Nigerian society; there is need for couples to visit a professional marriage therapist for marriage assessment.

Parents for their Children (Undergraduates):

The research was conducted in Benin City, Edo State using a population of Benson Idahosa University and University of Benin. This study aimed at unveiling the consequences of marital instability on the academic performance of undergraduates in Benin City, Edo State but using the aforementioned locations as case study. It was observed that though marriage is meant to be permanent but different trends result to changes in marital values causing marital instability which is an act of break down, disagreement or conflict between a couple in a home. Consequently, the study revealed lack of motivation and inspiration from parents to study, poor performance in exams as consequences on the academic performance of undergraduates. About 87% of the respondents agreed that lack of concentration in class is a consequence of marital instability on the academic performance of undergraduates. Also, the test of the research hypotheses revealed that there is a significant relationship between lack of mo tivation and the academic performance of undergraduates from unstable homes. The second hypothesis also revealed a significant relationship between depression and the academic performance of undergraduates from unstable homes. And from the third and last hypothesis, it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between nervous breakdown and the academic performance of undergraduates from unstable homes.

Based on the findings of this research work, the following with respect to the rol e of three major stakeholders (individuals (couples, parents for their children who are undergraduates), institutions (marriage and family and educational ) and the government) have been recommended:

2. Marriage counseling and seminars should be organized both at schools and at religious houses so as to sensitize couples on how marriage instability subtly creeps into families.

3. Couples must learn and acquire coping skills to enable them deal with the challenges of marriage and maintain a stable m arital union.

Couples should ensure the registration of their marriage, so that if marital instability results to separation or divorce, help can be gotten from the Law Enforcement Department.

1. Parents should be made to stand up to their responsibilities by making provision for adequate school materials for their wards.

2. Parents therefore have important roles to play in ensuring that their children

acquire the appropriate social, psychological, moral and academic development.

3. Must realize that they are role models to their children of what marriage and family life ought to be. Hence, they must live in love and maintain marital stability so as not to blur their perception about marriage and family life or

misrepresent by their example a vital aspect of their development and relationships.

4.

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The role of Institutions:Marriage and Family Institution:

Educational Institutions (Universities):

The role of The Government:

1. Counseling programmes, lectures, workshops of marital interventions

should be organized for couples experiencing marital instability where they can be taught skills to maintaining good marital relationships.

2. Also, counseling, lectures, workshops as well as premarital counselling

should be regularly organised for prospective couples and youths on

techniques of enhancing marital stability before going into the institution of

marriage. 3. The voice of counselling psychologists who specialize in family life and

marriage needs to be heard. More families would be saved from marital

instability if counseling psychologists goes beyond the classroom

environment and speak to the public; taking advantage of various media

outlets.

4. To reduce issues of marriage instability to the barest minimum, religious leaders should be recommended for training in counseling psychology,

because evidence abound that some issues that are spiritualized needs not to

be spiritualized but be addressed psychologi cally. To do this properly, the

religious leaders will do well by acquiring some professional counseling

skills.

1. It is recommended that management of higher institutions as an effort to look

into students' well-being should ensure that periodic guidance and

counseling sessions and assessments are carried out for all students by

qualified experts. This way, students experiencing difficulties arising from

home or other external issues and challenges can be identified and helped.

2. For students identified as going through issues from unstable homes, extra effort through counseling should be made to help expose and educate them on

their experiences and the negative influence of such experiences on their

academic performance and helped to acquire the necessary skills to adjust

and cope with their challenges from the home.

1. The Government has an important role to play in ensuring that its youths (undergraduates) acquires the appropriate social, psychological, moral and

academic education nec essary for their development and by so doing it will

be building potential citizens who will in turn translate to be an effective and

efficient work force for the society.

2. It is recommended that pre-marital as well as family counseling be

emphasized by both the government and professional counselors to nip in the bud the prevalence of these conditions to avoid instability in the family.

The government should provide an enabling environment for couples to

improve their living standards as a means of ensuring stability of marriage.

For instance, income generation programs should be undertaken in order to

provide employment for victims of marital instability especially women.

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Perceived Consequences Of Marital Instabili ty On The Academic Performance Of Undergraduates In Benin City, Edo State

3. Research has shown that children from stable homes are more academically advantageous because they benefit from the investment of time and resources of both parents' marriage. Hence, promoting marriage stability should be

increasingly viewed as a promising public policy and strategy for improving developmental outcomes for children.

From the foregoing, it therefore means all stakeholders (couples, parents,

children, government, management of educational institutions, religious leaders, marriage counselors must to do everything possible to minimize instability in the family and effort should be intensified to discourage marital discord.

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