The Relationship between Socio Economic Status, Personality Traits and Spouse Abuse of Married Secondary School Teachers in Delta State

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between socio economic status, personality traits and spouse abuse of married secondary school teachers in Delta State. The population of the study consist of married teachers in public secondary schools in Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State. The sample comprised of 300 married men and 300 married women, giving a total of 600 married persons. The study used simple random sampling technique to select the schools and stratified proportional sampling to draw the sample. Six research hypotheses were used for the study. The design for the study was correlational research design. The instrument for the study was a questionnaire titled Spousal Abuse Scale (SAS). The instrument was validated and had a reliability level of 0.85. Data was analysed using regression statistics. Findings revealed that traits of openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness and neuroticism has significant relationship with spouse abuse among couples. Socio-economic status and extraversion had no significant relationship with spouse abuse among couples. It was however recommended that Counselor Educators should equip those in training with relevant skills so that they can assist both abusers and victims to acquire positive behaviour and relate with each other positively. Practicing counselors can assist the victims to identify the weak behavioural pattern and strengthen same so that they can overcome the abusive behaviour of the partners. Also the Counseling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) in each State should organized seminars, conference and workshops on regular basis to keep married men and women abreast on the consequences of spouse abuse.