Dialogue and Marital Dispute Resolution from the Perspectives of Lawyers and Counsellors in Ilorin Metropolis

Aminat Adeola Odebode, Ph.D.; Adewale Kabiru Adegunju; Yusuf Jamila Al-Hikma & Barakat A. Raji, Ph.D., University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Marital disputes are taking a toll on many homes in Nigerian society, and couples seem to find resolution difficult. This has led to devastating consequences for both the couples and the country at large. This study assessed the influence of dialogue on marital dispute resolution from the perspectives of lawyers and counsellors in Ilorin Metropolis. Variables such as gender, religion, and profession were also examined to determine if they influenced the respondents' views. A descriptive survey design using mixed methods was adopted for this study. A total of 200 professionals were selected through simple random and purposive sampling techniques; of these, 20 professionals participated in the interview process. Quantitative data were collected using the "Dialogue and Marital Dispute Resolution Questionnaire" (DMDRQ), while qualitative data were gathered through a semi-structured interview guide. The DMDRQ was validated by five experts, and a reliability coefficient of 0.81 was obtained using the test-retest method. Data were analyzed using the t-test statistical method at a 0.05 alpha level. The results showed that respondents viewed dialogue as a positive influence on marital dispute resolution. Additionally, the respondents' views were not affected by factors such as gender, religion, or profession type. Based on these findings, it is recommended that lawyers and counsellors actively encourage couples to use dialogue as a primary tool in resolving marital disputes.

Keywords: Dialogue, Marital Dispute, Marital Dispute Resolution, Lawyers, counsellors, Ilorin metropolis