Personality Traits and Marital Stability among Couples in Uyo Metropolis of Akwa Ibom State

Personality is how individuals tend to behave, think and feel in ways that are broadly consistent over time. The study focused on personality traits and marital stability among couples in Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted, and the population of the study comprised of 153,011 couples. A sample size of 800 couples participated in the study and multi- stage procedure and random sampling technique was used in sample selection. Personality Traits Questionnaire (PTQ) and Marital Stability Questionnaire (MSQ) were used for data collection. The instruments were validated by three experts from various Departments related to the study in University of Uyo. The internal consistency of the instruments was determine using cronbach alpha statistical analyasis and the reliability coefficient of 0.95 and 0.91 were obtained respectively. Data obtained were analyzed using Mean and Standard deviation for the research questions while independent t-test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that extraversion and openness had significant influence marital stability (t- cal. 4.144, t- cal; 3.053, p= 0.000 and 0.02).While neuroticism revealed no significant influence (t-cal. 1.508, p=0.071). Based on the finding of the study the researchers concluded that personality traits (extroversion and openness) has significant influence on marital stability among couples in Uyo Metropolis of Akwa Ibom State while neuroticism revealed no significant influence. It was recommended that couples and intended couples should be opened to each other concerning marital issues to enhance marital stability also; extroversion personality trait should be encouraged by parents of both intending and married couples. However, neuroticism personality trait should be discouraged among couples and those who are high on this trait should strive to develop better personality traits that will enhance marital stability by seeking help from marriage counselors, psychologists and other relevant individuals.