SOURCES OF STRESS AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG MARRIED ADULTS IN IBARAPA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Stress among married adults is increasingly recognized as a serious issue shaped by socio- economic, cultural, and family-related pressures. This study investigated the sources of stress and coping strategies among married adults in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The study involved 420 married adults selected through purposive and stratified sampling techniques. Data were collected using a researcher-designed instrument, the Sources of Stress and Coping Strategies Questionnaire, which had a reliability coefficient of 0.68 (test-retest method). Four research questions were explored, and six null hypotheses were tested using t-tests and ANOVA at the 0.05 significance level. Findings showed that the most common sources of stress were parenting responsibilities, family obligations, and social pressures from the community. The most reported coping strategies included substance use, seeking professional counseling, and focusing on personal goals. There were significant differences in sources of stress based on gender, age, and number of children, but no significant differences were found in coping strategies across these demographic variables. The study recommends regular seminars and counseling interventions to promote awareness and equip married adults with healthier, more effective ways to manage stress. Keywords: Stress, Coping strategies, Married adults, Gender, Age, Family roles