Neuroticism and its effect on marital quality

ABSTRACT

The present study investigates the variability in the level of neuroticism and its effect on marital quality with special reference to dyadic satisfaction and affectional expression in working women. A comparative study. Karachi, Pakistan from March 2005 to April 2006 After detailed literature review it was hypothesized that a] Married women with high scores on neuroticism will scores low on dyadic satisfaction as compared to the married women with low score on neuroticism, b] Married women with high scores on neuroticism will score low on affectional expression as compared to the married women with low scores on neuroticism. Sample of study consists of 61 married working women, divided into two groups a] females with high scores on neuroticism [n=32], b] females with low scores on neuroticism [n=29]. The age of the subjects ranged from 25 years to 45 years. Their duration of marriage was at least 2 years. The minimum educational level of subjects was graduation. Purposive sampling was done and participants were selected form different organizations including schools, banks and hospitals. They were matched on the basis of age, duration of marriage and educational level. The subjects first completed the personal information questionnaire and then the subscale of Neuroticism taken from Neo Five Factor Inventory, [1] followed by administration of subscales of Dyadic Satisfaction and Affectional Expression taken from Dyadic Adjustment Scale [2]. t-test was computed to calculate the mean difference on the variables of Dyadic Satisfaction and Affectional Expression of married working women with high and low scores on neuroticism. Results are indicative of significant difference on the variables of dyadic satisfaction [t=4.539, df=59, p<0.05] and affectional expression [t=2.881, df=59, p<0. 05] between two groups [females with high neuroticism and females with low neuroticism]. Level of neuroticism has significant effects on Dyadic Satisfaction and Affectional Expression in married working women