Do Emotional Intelligence and Self-Efficacy Correlate with Marital Satisfaction of Married Teachers in Anambra State?

Aims: This study looked at married teachers in Anambra State to see how self-efficacy and emotional intelligence correlate with marital satisfaction. Three study questions were developed to evaluate this relationship, and three null hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The results of this study could be used to better appreciate the value of marriage as a union between a man and woman that promotes both mental and physical health through marital satisfaction.

Methodology: For this study, a correlational research design was used in order to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence, general self-efficacy, and marital satisfaction. A sample of 1,344 married teachers was selected from a population of 6,987 married teachers through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Three instruments - the emotional intelligence scale (EIS), the general self-efficacy scale (GSS), and the index of marital satisfaction (IMS)—were used to collect data. These instruments are standardised measures with reliability coefficients of 0.96 for IMS, 0.89 for EIS, and 0.87 for GSS. Data collection was done through a direct delivery approach. Aggregate scores were used to answer research questions, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficients were used to answer research questions, and regression analysis was used to answer research questions. The hypotheses were tested using the t-test of correlation. This method is used to assess the relationship between two variables, and to determine if the difference between their means is statistically significant.

Results: The study demonstrated that there is a slight yet positive relationship between the emotional intelligence, self-efficacy beliefs, and marital satisfaction of married teachers.

Conclusion: Research findings indicate that emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and marital satisfaction are positively correlated among married teachers in Anambra State. This positive correlation suggests that couples who are better able to recognise, understand, and manage their own emotions, as well as those of their partner, tend to have higher levels of marital satisfaction. Additionally, higher levels of self-efficacy, or confidence in one's ability to complete tasks or handle difficult situations, may also play a role in the overall satisfaction of the marriage.

Given these findings, it is recommended that counsellors involved in marital counselling motivate and encourage married teachers in Anambra State to take part in seminars and counselling sessions that promote the learning of emotional intelligence and self-efficacy. These sessions can help couples better recognise, understand, and manage their own emotions, as well as those of their partner, and build confidence in their ability to handle difficult situations.