Roles of assertiveness, religious commitment and intimacy in marital satisfaction in a Nigerian Sample

Abstract

This study examined the contributions of assertiveness, religious commitment and intimacy in marital satisfaction in a Nigerian sample. A cross-section of two hundred and thirty-one married participants (128 men and 103 women), participated in the study. Their ages ranged from 21 to 65 years, with a mean age of 35 years. They completed a questionnaire pack which included - the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS); the Religious Commitment Inventory (RCI); the Intimate Relationship Assessment Scale (IRAS); and the Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS). Results of multiple regression analysis indicated a significant negative relationship between assertiveness and marital satisfaction; but there was no significant relationship between religious commitment and marital satisfaction. There was a significant negative relationship between intimacy and marital satisfaction. Implications of the findings were discussed, pointing toward the need to replicate the study with larger sample size from multiple backgrounds to ensure generalizability of the findings.