SELF-ESTEEM AND ATTACHMENT STYLE AS PREDICTOR OF MARITAL HARMONY AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN KWARA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The study intends to investigate self-esteem and attachment style as predictors of marital harmony among secondary school teachers in Kwara state. Three hundred (300) respondents constituted the study's sample. The independent and dependent variables were measured with validated instruments with a 0.85 reliability coefficient and the data obtained was analyzed using percentage and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) Statistical method. Two research hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that there was a significant relationship between self-esteem and marital harmony among secondary school teachers (r= .866; p<0.05). The result also showed a significant relationship between attachment style and marital harmony among secondary school teachers (r= .848; p<0.05). Given these findings, it was recommended that the school management make a joint collaborative effort with the school guidance counsellors to ensure that the teachers maintain and sustain good healthy self-esteem. Also, the guidance and counselling programs should be organized by the school guidance counsellors for married teachers to equip them with knowledge and skills on how to carry themselves while on the lifetime commitment of marriage and to know the role that each party in a family set-up plays to enhance their marital harmony.