Religiosity, Personality, Emotional Labour and Socio-Economic Status as Predictors of Marital Satisfaction Among Police Officers in the Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated religiosity, personality (neuroticism), emotional labour and socio-economic status as determinants of marital satisfaction among police officers in the Ibadan metropolis, Oyo state, Nigeria. Two hundred (200) police officers were randomly selected for the study. Valid and standardized instruments were used to measure the variables. Three research questions were raised and answered. Data collected were analyzed using the Multiple Regression Analysis and Pearson Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that marital satisfaction negatively correlated with personality (neuroticism) (r =. -336, p<0.05), and emotional labour (r= -.137, p<0.05) while it was positively correlated with religiousity (r = .767, p<0.05) and socio-economic status (r = .109, p<0.05). The combination of the independent variables accounted for 93.6% (Adj.R 2 = .936) of the total variance in the prediction of marital satisfaction. The independent variables made relative contribution to marital satisfaction in the following order: religiosity (Beta = .967, t= 48.254, P<0.05), socio-economic status (Beta = .139, t = 1.613, P<0.05), emotional labour (Beta = .456, t= 7.069, P<0.05), and personality (neuroticism) (Beta = .133, t = 1.711, P<0.05). Based on the findings, it was recommended that counseling psychologists and allied professionals should endeavour to sensitize the benefits of religious involvement by the couples, especially among the police officers as their joint participations in religious activities could reduce stress, anxiety and strain which could promote marital disharmony among the couples. The police administrators should engage in policies that could boost police officers’ socio-economic status as it will have great influence on their adjustment in their micro-system which is the family, starting from their partners. Psychological assessment of officials and intervention should be inculcated into the Nigerian police system to ensure healthy personalities and of course the promotion of healthy living at home with significant others especially their spouses. Keywords: marital satisfaction, religion, personality, emotional labour, socio-economic status. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/14-12-07 Publication date: June 30 th 2022