Abstract:
This empirical study investigated big five personality traits, 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 regression coefficients show that conscientiousness is a strong predictor of marital satisfaction (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 (β = .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.
