MARITAL CONFLICTS VARIABLES AS CORRELATES OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE

The persistent issue of poor academic performance among secondary school students in Nigeria has raised concerns among stakeholders, with family dynamics and student behaviour recognized as contributing factors. This study investigated marital conflict variables as correlates of academic performance among secondary school students in the Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. Three research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Data were collected from 107 teachers and 233 students using a self- structured questionnaire (IMCAPQ), which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.78, as determined by Cronbach's Alpha, and from students' academic records in English and Mathematics for the 2024/2025 Academic Session. Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and simple and multiple regression analyses. The findings revealed a low extent of marital conflict's influence on academic performance (weighted mean 2.0). Poor communication was identified as the primary cause of marital conflict (mean 3.7). Significant negative effects on children included low self-esteem and depression (weighted mean 3.3). Poor communication, child abuse, and parental violence jointly influenced academic performance (R Square = 0.705, F - 267.138, p = 0.000). Poor communication had a positive relative influence (Beta = 0.843), while child abuse (Beta = 0.122) and parental violence (Beta = 0.076) showed negative effects. The study concluded that while students perceive a low direct impact, marital conflict produces considerable psychological harm. Recommendations include establishing school counselling units, organizing community marriage-enrichment workshops, and creating collaborative interventions among schools, social welfare agencies, and religious institutions.