RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONALITY TRAITS AND MARITAL QUALITY AMONG MARRIED INDIVIDUALS IN KIAMBU CATHOLIC DEANERY, ARCHDIOCESE OF NAIROBI, KENYA
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Date
2023-05
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Tangaza University
Abstract
Globally studies have found personality traits to have positive and negative impact on marital quality. However, there is lack of similar studies with Catholic married individuals in Kiambu Deanery. The aim of the study was to establish the relationship between the big five personality traits and marital quality among married individuals in Kiambu Catholic Deanery, Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: To determine personality traits of the married individuals in Kiambu Catholic Deanery, Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya; to find out the predictors of marital quality among the married individuals in Kiambu Catholic Deanery, Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya; to determine the relationship between age, gender, level of education, years in marriage and marital quality among the married individuals in Kiambu Catholic Deanery, Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya and to establish the relationship between personality traits and marital quality among the married individuals in Kiambu Catholic Deanery, Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya. The study employed the descriptive research design. Through proportionate stratified sampling, a sample size of 193 participants were selected for the study. The study utilized the Big Five Inventory Scale and The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale to collect data. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis and correlational analysis with SPSS version 32. The findings from objective one showed that most of the participants in the study had personality traits of extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and open mindedness while those who had negative emotionality were least represented in the study. The findings from objective two showed that among the Big Five Personality Traits, only agreeableness (p=0.01) and conscientiousness (p=0.03) were predictors of marital stability among the heterosexual married individuals. However, the personality traits of extraversion, (p=0.837), negative emotionality (P=.565) and open-mindedness (P=.208) were not predictors of marital quality. Furthermore, the findings from objective three showed that there was a weak negative correlation between age and marital quality (p < 0.05, r = -.102). Similarly, there was also a very weak negative correlation between years in marriage and marital quality (p < 0.05, r = -.078). In regard to education, there was a weak positive correlation between level of education and marital quality (p < 0.05, r = .456). Finally, the finding from objective four showed that personality traits of extroversion, agreeableness, open mindedness and conscientiousness correlated positively with marital quality apart from negative emotionality (p < 0.05, r = -.282). The study recommends the future studies to employ mixed method approach in order to strengthen the findings of the study. Mixed method approach can help in providing findings that cannot be realized through a single research approach.