Title: Sexual Dysfunction As A Determinant Of Divorce Among Married Secondary School Teachers In Delta State
Authors: OWUMI, I. E., OGHOUNU, A.E. & OBIUNU, J.J.
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: 650-657
Publication Date: 2025/10/28
Abstract:
This study investigated the relationship between sexual dysfunction and divorce among married secondary school teachers in Delta State, Nigeria. Furthermore, it examined whether the duration of marriage moderate this relationship. The research adopted a correlational design to assess the degree of association among the identified variables. The population comprised 8,526 married secondary school teachers, with 2,720 males and 5,806 females. A sample of 879 respondents was selected through a combination of stratified and simple random sampling techniques, followed by a convenience sampling approach to include only those available and willing to participate. The study utilised a self-developed instrument titled Sexual Dysfunction and Divorce Rating Scale Questionnaire (SDDQ) for data collection. The questionnaire underwent thorough validation using expert judgment and factor analysis procedures, including principal component analysis (PCA) and Varimax Kaiser Normalisation, yielding a cumulative variance explanation ranging from 64.9% to 77.0%. Reliability was confirmed through a pilot study with 100 teachers in Edo State, producing a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.86. Data collection was achieved through direct administration of the questionnaire, ensuring a strong response rate. Analysis was conducted using Pearson's product-moment correlation and multiple regression analysis to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The results revealed that statistical significant relationship between sexual dysfunction and divorce among the target population. However, the study found that the duration of marriage did not significantly moderate the relationships between sexual dysfunction and divorce. Based on these findings, the study concluded that while sexual dysfunction significantly contributes to marital breakdown, the length of the marriage does not necessarily shield couples from these challenges. This challenges conventional assumptions that longer marriages are more stable, suggesting instead that the persistence of negative dynamics may continue regardless of how long a couple has been together. The study recommends schools are encouraged to partner with healthcare professionals to offer discreet support for sexual health concerns.