Perceived Factors and Consequences of a Failed Marriage Among Career Women in FCT Abuja

Abstract

This study examined the Perceived Factors and Consequences of a Failed Marriage among Career Women in FCT Abuja. The study had two objectives, two research questions and two null hypothesis which guided the study. The research design was a survey design. The population of the study was 14,232 out of which 270 career women were purposively sampled within the study area. The instrument used to collect the data was a self-structured questionnaire entitled: Factors and Consequences of Failed Marriage Among Career Women Questionnaire (FCFMACWQ). The instrument was pilot tested within the interval of three weeks between the first and second administration. The result was correlated using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) which yielded an index of 0.72 and it was valid for the study. The demographic data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentage while answers to research questions were analyzed using mean scores and standard deviation. The hypothesis were tested at 0.05 level of significance and t-test was used to test all the hypotheses. The findings showed that, factors like lack of quality time, long working hours, difficult to balance professional responsibilities and family needs, argument, misunderstanding among others contributed to a failed marriage among career women. It further revealed that, loneliness and breakdown of marriage, loss of  self esteem, anxiety and depression, declined in productivity at work, financial burden, discrimination among others were the consequences of a failed marriage in FCT Abuja.  Results of the hypotheses showed that urban and rural career women differ significantly on the factors and consequences of a failed marriage among career women in FCT Abuja. It was therefore recommended that, stake-holders like counsellors, social organization and religious bodies should used every opportunity to educate intending wife and wives to always priotize their marital relationship over career in order to avoid divorse and attendent consequency.