Marital satisfaction, job satisfaction and psychological health of secondary school teachers

C. E. Ofovwe, A. N. Ofili, O. G. Ojetu, F. E. Okosun

Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/health.2013.54087                

Abstract

Introduction: Marital satisfaction has remained a topic of great interest worldwide. Association has been postulated between marital satisfaction, job satisfaction and mental health. There is, however, a paucity of research on marital satisfaction in Nigeria, particularly in relation to job satisfaction and psychological health. Objective: The objective of this study is thus to assess the level of marital satisfaction and to explore the relationship if any between marital satisfaction, job satisfaction and mental health of secondary school teachers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on teachers in secondary schools in Benin City, Nigeria. A total population of 300 teachers who had been married and teaching for at least one year were included in the study. The information required for the study were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and two standard instruments, the Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS) and the General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ 28). The GHQ was used to assess the workers psychological health, while the IMS was used to assess the degree of marital satisfaction. Results: Two hundred and fifteen (82.7%) teachers had marital satisfaction, 54 (20.8%) had psychological disorder while 56 (21.5%) were dissatisfied with their job. A strong association was found between marital dissatisfaction and psychological disorder (X² = 56.826; df = 1, P = 0.0004). No association was found between marital dissatisfaction and job dissatisfaction. No association was also found between job dissatisfaction and psychological disorder. Conclusion: A high level of marital satisfaction was found in the study population. However, the strong association also found between marital dissatisfaction and psychological disorder provides empirical evidence on the need to educate married couples as well as the general public on the mental health implication of marital dissatisfaction.

Keywords

Marital Satisfaction; Job Satisfaction; Psychological Wellbeing; Teachers; Nigeria

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Tucker, M.W. and Grady, K.E. (1991) Effects of physical attractiveness, intelligence, age of marriage and cohabita- tion on the perception of marital satisfaction. The Journal of Social Psychology, 132, 253-269. doi:10.1080/00224545.1991.9713848
[2]	Cliford, R. and Begstan, B. (1979) Measuring marital satisfaction in three generations: Positive and negative dimensions. Journal of Marriage and Family, 387-389.
[3]	Pickfold, J.H., Signori, E.I., John, H. and Rempel, H. (1966) Similar or related personality traits as a factor in marital happiness. Journal of Marriage and Family, 28, 190-192. doi:10.2307/349280
[4]	Heatton, T.B. and Pratt, E.L. (1990) The effects of religious hamogamy on marital satisfaction and stability. Journal of Family Issues, 11, 191-207. doi:10.1177/019251390011002005
[5]	Hampton, A.V. (2007) A phenomenal study of Christian African-American Couples and their perceptions of longetivity. Ph.D. Thesis, Regent University, Virginia Beach.
[6]	Ajayi, K.A. (1983) The relationship between job satisfaction and productivity among junior workers in a service oriented enterprise. Psychology for Everyday Living, 2, 133.
[7]	Locke, A.P. and Weiss, H.M. (2001) 1976 cited in brief, organizational behavior: Affect in the workplace. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 279-307.
[8]	Cranny, Smith & Stone, 1992 cited in Weiss, H. M. (2002) Deconstructing job satisfaction: Separating evaluations, beliefs and affective experiences. Human Resource Management Review, 12, 173-194.
[9]	Brief, 1998 cited in Weiss, H. M. (2002) Deconstructing job satisfaction: Separating evaluations, beliefs and affective experiences. Human Resource Management Review, 12, 173-194.
[10]	Organ, D.W. and Ryan, K. (1995) A meta-analytic review of attitudinal and dispositional predictors of organiza- tional citizenship behavior. Personnel Psychology, 48, 775-802. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6570.1995.tb01781.x
[11]	Wegge, J., Schmidt, K., Parkes, C. and van Dick, K. (2007) “Taking a sickie”: Job satisfaction and job involvement as interactive predictors of absenteeism in a public organization. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 80, 77-89. doi:10.1348/096317906X99371
[12]	Saari, L.M. and Judge, T.A. (2004) Employee attitudes and job satisfaction. Human Resource Management, 43, 395-407. doi:10.1002/hrm.20032
[13]	Mount, M., Ilies, R. and Johnson, E. (2006) Relationship of personality traits and counterproductive work behaviors: The mediating effects of job satisfaction. Personnel Psychology, 59, 591-622. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6570.2006.00048.x
[14]	Rain, J.S., Lane, I.M. and Steiner, D.D. (1991) A current look at the job satisfaction/life satisfaction relationship: Review and future considerations. Human Relations, 44, 287-307. doi:10.1177/001872679104400305
[15]	Rode, J.C. (2004) Job satisfaction and life satisfaction revisited: A longitudinal test of an integrated model. Human Relations, 57, 1205-1230. doi:10.1177/0018726704047143
[16]	Judge, T.A., Locke, E.A. and Durham, C.C. (1997) The dispositional causes of job satisfaction: A core evaluations approach. Research in Organizational Behavior, 19, 151-188.
[17]	Walster, E., Berscheid, E. and Walster, G.W. (1973) New directions in equity research. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 25, 151-176. doi:10.1037/h0033967
[18]	Huseman, R., Hatfield, J. and Miles, E. (1987) A new perspective on equity theory: The equity sensitivity construct. Academy of Management Review, 12, 232-234.
[19]	Whisman, M.A. and Uebelacker, L.A. (2003) Comorbidity of relationship distress and mental and physical health problems. In: Snyder, D.K. and Whisman, M.A., Eds., Treating Difficult Couples: Helping Clients with Coexisting Mental and Relationship Disorders, Guilford Press, New York, 3-26.
[20]	Bauserman, S.A.K., Arias, I. and Craighead, W.E. (1995) Marital attributions in spouses of depressed patients. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 17, 231-249. doi:10.1007/BF02229300
[21]	Vega, B.R., Bayon, C., Franco, B., Canas, F., Graell, M. and Salvador, M. (1993) Parental rearing and intimate relations in women’s depression. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 88, 193-197. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1993.tb03438.x
[22]	Arrindell, W.A. and Emmelkamp, P.M.G. (1986) Marital adjustment, intimacy, and needs in female agoraphobics and their partners: A controlled study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 149, 592-602. doi:10.1192/bjp.149.5.592
[23]	Chambless, D.L., Fauerbach, J.A., Floyd, F.J., Wilson, K.A., Remen, A.L. and Renneberg, B. (2002) Marital interaction of agoraphobic women: A controlled, behavioral observation study. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 111, 502-512. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.111.3.502
[24]	Fals-Stewart, W., Birchler, G.R. and O’Farrell, T.J. (1999) Drug-abusing patients and their intimate partners: Dyadic adjustment, relationship stability, and substance use. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 108, 11-23. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.108.1.11
[25]	Chakrabarti, S., Kulhara, P. and Verma, S.K. (1993) The pattern of burden in families of neurotic patients. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 28, 172-177. doi:10.1007/BF00797319
[26]	Coyne, J.C., Kessler, R.C., Tal, M., Turnbull, J., Wortman, C.B. and Greden, J.F. (1987) Living with a depressed person. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 347-352. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.55.3.347
[27]	Hudson, W.W. (1992) Index of marital satisfaction tempe, AZ, Walmyr Publishing Co.
[28]	Cheug, P.P. and Hudson, W.W. (1982) Assessment of marital discord in social work practice: A revalidation of the index of marital satisfaction. Journal of Social Service Research, 5, 101-118. doi:10.1300/J079v05n01_07
[29]	Goldberg, D.P. and William, P.A. (1988) User’s guide to the general health questionnaire. NFER-NELSON Publishers, Windsor, 4-5.
[30]	Goldberg, D.P. (1992) The detection of psychiatric illness by Questionnaire. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
[31]	Goldberg, D.P. (1978) Manual of the general health questionnaire. NFER-NELSON Publishers, Windsor, 8.
[32]	Okojie, C.E.E. (2011) Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria: Should women wait in hope or expectation? Inaugural Lecture Series 120, University of Benin, Benin, 1.
[33]	Williams, M. (2005) A simple-gender aware framework for research and advocacy on trade agreements and trade policy. Symposium on Gender and Trade Liberalization: Global-Local Processes and Gendered Impacts in Asia and Beyond, 22-23 August 2005.
[34]	Adesanya, S.A. (2002) Correlates of marital stability among couples in South Western Nigeria. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti.
[35]	Whisman, M.A., Uebelacker, L.A. and Weinstock, L.M. (2004) Psychopathology and marital satisfaction: The importance of evaluating both partners. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 830-838.