ABSTRACT
This empirical investigated big five personality , educational level and marital satisfaction: the moderating role of spousal social support among workers in Nsukka local government area.
Two hundred and thirty two (232) married workers, comprising 122 males and 110 females were randomly selected using cross sectional design from workers of different sections in Nsukka Local Government Area. Their ages ranged between 18 to 65 years.
Three instruments that were locally standardized using Nigerian participants were used for data collection. Big-Five Personality Scale, Index of Marital Satisfaction Scale and Spousal Social Support Scale. Eight hypotheses were tested.
The standardized coefficients show that is a strong predictor of marital (β = 2.34, t = 2.34, p< .05). Spousal social support is also a positively significant predictor of marital satisfaction of workers (β = 5.62, 5.62, p< .001).
In contrast, the standardized regression coefficients show that extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness and educational level were not a strong predictors of marital satisfaction.
Significant standardized regression coefficient was found for conscientiousness and social support (β = .02, t = 1.95, p<.05), neuroticism and social support (βN= .03, t = 2.85, p<.01), openness and social support (β = .03, t = 3.08, p<.01); but not for extraversion, agreeableness and educational level and social support.
Thus, social support was only a significant moderator of the relationship between conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness and marital satisfaction. The implications of the finding were highlighted, limitations were stated and suggestions were made for further studies.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Certification Page ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgment iv
Table of Contents v
List of Tables vi
List of Figures vii
List of Appendices viii
Abstract ix
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction 1
Statement of Problem 13
Purpose of Study 14
Operational definition of terms 15
CHAPTER TWO
Literature Review 16
Theoretical Review 16
Family System Theory 16
Family Development Theory 19
Trait Theory of Personality 21
Interdependence Theory 25
Role Exchange Theory 28
Social Exchange Theory 30
The Big Five Personality Model Theory 35
Empirical Review 40
Personality and Marital Satisfaction 40
Educational level and Marital Satisfaction 45
Spousal Social Support and Marital Satisfaction 47
Summary of the literature review 51
Hypotheses 53
CHAPTER THREE
Method 54
Participants 54
Instrument 55
Procedure 57
Design/Statistics 57
CHAPTER FOUR
Results 58
CHAPTER FIVE
Discussion 64
Implications of the Study 68
Limitations of the Study 69
Suggestions for further Studies 69
Summary and Conclusion 70
References 72
INTRODUCTION
Marital satisfaction is an overall evaluation of the state of one’s marriage and a reflection of marital happiness and function (Schoen, Astone, Rothert, Standish, & Kim 2002). It has been comprehensively investigated in many studies of marriage and family.
Family life and marital satisfaction, in particular, are known as main predictors of overall quality of life (Shek, 1995; Stutzer & Frey, 2006).
Marital satisfaction can affect not only the physical and mental health of both spouses (Holt-Lunstad, Birmingham, & Jones, 2008; Le Poire, 2005), but also children’s development, well- being, academic performance, social skills, and relationships (Cummings & Davies, 2010; Hetherington & Kelly, 2002).
A gender role perspective has often been used to describe differences in marital satisfaction. Many studies have revealed that marital satisfaction is higher in men than in women (Bernard, 1972; Fowers, 1991; Mickelson, Claffey, & Williams, 2006).
These differences were explained by gender differences in roles in marriage, and in expectations for marriage and intimate relationships (Shek, 1995).
Women’s roles in marriage are nearly always more demanding than their husbands’, especially for employed women who encounter additional responsibilities (being wife, mother, homemaker, and employee).
Because women and men usually are differently socialized, the emotional expectations of women are often not met by men.Marital satisfaction is one of the most important factors that play a great role in marital life in all societies.
And since the pioneering work by Terman, Butterweiser, Ferguson, Johnson, and Wilson (1938) on what makes happy couples different from unhappy ones, the study of marital processes and outcomes have expanded considerably across fields such as communication, psychology, and marital and family therapy (Mahnaz, 2006).
REFERENCES
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Amiri, M., Farhoodi, F., Abdolvand, N., & Bidakhavidi, R. A. (2011). A study of the relationship between big-five personality traits and communication styles with marital satisfaction of married students majoring in public universities of Tehra. Proceia –Special and Behavioral Sciences, 30, 685-589.
Anene, R. N. (1994). A comparative Analysis of marital stress. Unpublished B.Sc Thesis, Department of Psychology, University of Lagos.
Atkinso, R. L., Atkinson, R. C., Smith, E., Bem, D. J., & Hoeksema, S. N. (2000). Hilgard’s Introduction to Psychology (13 ed.). Orlando, Florida: Harcourt College Publishers.
Bellavia, G., Griffin, D. W, & Dolderman, (2002). Kindred spirits? The benefits of egocentrism in close relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 563-581.
Belsky, J., & Kelly, J. (1994). Transition to parenthood. Marriage and Family Review, 3(4), 133-136
StudentsandScholarship Team
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