Title: Marital Self-Efficacy, Marital Compatibility, And Emotional Stability Among Pastors' Wives In The Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Magdalene Azimeye Akinsanya and David Adebayo Oluwole
Volume: 9
Issue: 7
Pages: 76-84
Publication Date: 2025/07/28
Abstract:
This study examined how marital self-efficacy and marital compatibility predict emotional stability among pastors' wives in the Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design of the correlational type was employed to explore the natural relationships among the psychological constructs without manipulation. The study population consisted of pastors' wives from five urban local government areas: Ibadan North, North-East, North-West, South-East, and South-West. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, 500 churches were randomly selected, and 430 pastors' wives were purposively drawn from Orthodox, Pentecostal, and Evangelical denominations. Data were collected using a structured self-report questionnaire comprising demographic items and three standardised scales assessing emotional stability, marital self-efficacy, and marital compatibility. Reliability of the instruments was confirmed through a pilot study, and ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection. Analysis using Pearson Product Moment Correlation revealed significant positive relationships between marital self-efficacy and emotional stability (r = 0.658), and between marital compatibility and emotional stability (r = 0.705), both at p < 0.05. Multiple regression results showed that marital self-efficacy and compatibility jointly predicted emotional stability (R² = 0.565), with both variables also making significant individual contributions. Additionally, one-way ANOVA demonstrated that age significantly moderated emotional stability (F(2, 427) = 10.94, p = 0.000, ?² = 0.049), with older respondents reporting higher emotional resilience. The findings underscore the importance of personal efficacy and relational harmony in enhancing the emotional well-being of pastors' wives within demanding religious contexts.