Religiosity, Gender and Personality Traits as Predictors of Marital Satisfaction among Christian couples

Abstract

In this study, the effects of religiousity, gender and personality traits as predictors of marital satisfaction among married Christian couples were examined. The purpose of the study was to examine whether religiousity, gender and personality traits have a relationship with marital satisfaction among married Christian couples. A total number of 214 married couples, 55 males (25.70%) and 159 females (74.30%) with mean age 39.37 years and standard deviation of 9.6 years participated in the study. Three scales were used for data collection; Religious Affiliation Scale (RAS) developed by Omoluabi (1995), Big five Inventory Developed (BFI) by Oliver (1991) and Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS) developed by Hudson (1982). Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regression Analysis were deployed for data management. Results of Multiple Regression analysis reveal that the study model significantly predicted marital satisfaction. ANOVA summary (F-ratio) shows that the adjusted R2 value was significant at F (7, 200) = 44.69, P < .01. Unstandardised better values shows that Religiousity was significant B = .72, P < .05; gender was not significant B = -.08, P <.05; and Personality Traits (Openness to experience) was significant B = .10, P <.05. It was concluded that Religiosity and Personality Traits predicted marital satisfaction. It was recommended that prospective marriage candidates should seek partners that have Openness to Experience trait to enable them enjoy marital satisfaction.