This study examines marital instability and social work intervention in Rivers State. It revealed the extent to which marital instability has led to divorce, poor child upbringing, and social maladjustment among families in Rivers State and examined the role of social work interventions including family therapy, mediation, and family support services in mitigating these effects. The family system theory by Murray Bowen in the 1950s was adopted. The research adopted a descriptive survey design, targeting 80 married couples and 20 professional social workers in Rivers State. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through simple percentage analysis to determine trends and patterns in respondents’ perceptions. The findings revealed that marital instability has a significant negative impact on families, contributing to increased divorce rates, behavioral and emotional problems among children, poor academic performance, and reduced family cohesion. Furthermore, the study found that social work interventions have been effective in reducing marital instability, improving spousal communication, strengthening couples’ capacity to manage marital stress, and enhancing overall family stability. Based on these findings, the study recommends the strengthening of family counseling and therapy programs, the institutionalization of mediation and conflict resolution services, and the expansion of family support services and awareness programs to support marital stability and promote healthy family functioning in Rivers State. The study concludes that social work interventions are essential in mitigating the effects of marital instability and fostering resilient and cohesive family systems.
ANN ONYEMAECHI JUMBO (Sat,) studied this question.