Role of Personality Traits and Emotional Intelligence as a determinant of Marital Satisfaction among Married Female Bankers in Fidelity Bank, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the role of personality traits and emotional intelligence as determinants of marital satisfaction among married female bankers of Fidelity Bank plc, Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design approach which did not allow for manipulation of the study variables. Simple random sampling technique was used to select thirty-eight (38) married female bankers across branches of the bank, with their age ranging from 25 to 45 years. In addition to providing demographic data, participants responded to the BIG-Five Personality Scale (20 items, α =.879). The Emotional Intelligence Scale (33 items, α=927), and the Marriage Satisfaction Scale (10 items, α =.946). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. On the whole, three hypotheses were tested and results showed that agreeableness [ t (1.36) =2.369; p<.05], and conscientious [t(1.36)=2.94; p<.05] predict marital satisfaction. While openness to experience [t (1.36) =089; p> .05], extraversion [t (1.36) = -1.038; p>.05], and neuroticism [t (1.36) =1.029;p>.05] were not predictors of marital satisfaction of female married bankers. On the other hand, result shows that emotional intelligence [F(13,24) = 16.219; p<.000] significantly influence marital satisfaction. However, age did not significantly predict marital satisfaction [t (1,36) = -.778; p>.05]. The study concluded based on the findings that personality traits and emotional intelligence can be used to predict an individual’s behaviour in different life situation including marital life situation. Based on the findings, the study recommended that individual personality traits and emotional intelligence should be considered in human organizations and situation of marital life.