Psychosocial wellbeing of children among families with parental conflict: the case of selected Kebeles in Jimma, Implication for family and marriage counselors

Abstract

Parental conflict has hindered the growth and progress of many homes and children in Ethiopia. Many factors could be indicative for this disappointing situation. The study, therefore, focused on identifying psychosocial wellbeing of children among parents with marital conflict in selected kebeles of Jimma town. A descriptive research method was adopted for the study. A total number of seventy six (76) respondents were selected from Ginjo Guduru and Awetu Mendera Kebeles’ of Jimma town using purposive sampling technique with the use of Focus Group discussion and interview guide to collect information from respondents who participated in the study. The data collected were carefully analyzed using narration. The finding of this study has revealed that there are six major factors for parental conflict. i.e. Money, Value conflict, Unsolved past conflict, Power struggle between husband and wife, Drug use /Bad Habit by one or both of the couple and Announcement of laws permitting marital dissolution. It was also discovered that children of parents with extreme conflict were prone to difficulties to form relation with others, poor academic achievements, lack self-confidence. It is, recommended that family counseling need to be emphasized by the stakeholders (government, religious leaders, and counselors to minimize the level of parental conflict in the family and effort should be intensified to discourage conflict that might intrude with family wellbeing