Age Differentials in Perception of Family Stress by Women

This study investigated age differentials in the perception of women towards family stress. Thedescriptive survey design was used and a total of 200 women were randomly selected from two publicand private secondary schools and the Ministry of Education in Port Harcourt Municipal Area inRivers State of Nigeria. The research instrument used was a researcher- designed ‘Family StressQuestionnaire’. Simple percentage and ANOVA inferential statistics were used in data analysis. Thestudy revealed that there was a statistical significant difference among women of various age groupsin their perception of family stress (F-cal. = 17.03; p<.05).Specifically, Duncan’s Multiple Range testshowed that the women in the age range of 51-60yrs and 61 years and above were significantlydifferent in their perception of family stress from those in the age range of 25-30years; 31-40 yearsand 41-50 years. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that the younger womenbe counselled on issues relating to family stress before marriage, by employing pre-maritalcounselling. Using group and individual counselling techniques, counsellors should assist womengenerally in being assertive and to imbibe right attitudes that will help them cope with stress in thefamily.