No abstract

IntroductionMarriage is believed to be a source of joy, and a life altering event that seems to be generally acceptable by all. It may be viewed as a gain and not a loss. Perhaps this could be the reason why so many males and females and old and young people struggle to be married. Epstein and Gottman (1993) opined that more than 90% of the world's population marries at least once. In some parts of the Nigerian society today, it is believed that any man or woman who is not married is not complete apart from those ordained for celibate life style. Although marriage seems to be admirable and also interesting event, it has been indicated that marital satisfaction is not easily achieved (Brubacker & Kimberly, 1993). Considering the high rates of divorce in the world as stated by Rosen-Grandon, Myers and Hattie (2004), it becomes very necessary to explore further the possible predisposing factors to marital distress and failure. Marriage is believed to be the most important and fundamental human relationship because it provides the platform for establishing a family relationship and nurturing the next generation. Marital union is an important institution that determines the well-being of the society in general and the individual members of the society in particular (Agu, 2017).Neglected intrapersonal factors such as personality traits have been found to influence marital satisfaction (Saggino, 2015). Choi and Marks (2008), opined that while depressive symptoms predict increase in marital conflict, marital conflicts also predict increase in depressive symptoms. Similarly, studies by Sandberg and Harper (2000) and Whisman, Uebelacker, Tolejko, Chatar and Mckalvie (2006) revealed that greater marital discord is associated with greater depression, lower life satisfaction and lower self-esteem. Uebelacken, Courtange and Whisman( 2003), confirmed that marital satisfaction is a function ofdepressive symptom, communication and self-silencing in women. They further stated