Personality, marital satisfaction and domestic violence among married women in Kampala District

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between personality, marital satisfaction and domestic violence, and whether marital satisfaction mediates the relationship between personality and domestic violence among married women aged between 18-35 years in Kampala district. It was conducted from three Medical Centers. A correlation research design was used to conduct the study. Using purposive sampling, a sample size of 203 respondents participated in the study. Using Pearson correlation coefficient to test hypotheses, findings indicated that; personality was found to be positively and significantly related to marital satisfaction (r=0.168, p<0.05), overall personality was found to be significantly related to overall domestic violence (r=-0.164, p<0.05) and marital satisfaction was found to be significantly related to overall domestic violence (r=-0.570, p<0.01). The fourth hypothesis was tested following three regressions steps by Baron and Kenny (1986) and the findings revealed that marital satisfaction mediates the relationship between personality and domestic violence. It was concluded that married women with certain personality traits will significantly have higher levels of satisfaction in their marriages coupled with low levels of domestic violence. It was recommended that it is important to consider the influence of personality in enhancing marriage relationships.