EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL PHOBIA AND MARITAL SATISFACTION AMONG MARRIED PERSONS IN AWKA METROPOLIS, ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between social phobia and marital satisfaction among married persons in Awka Metropolis, Anambra State. A total of 300 participants were sampled for the study. The participants consisted of married individuals residing in Awka Metropolis, Anambra State, and were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Their ages ranged from 20 to 60 years, with a mean age of 37.5 and a standard deviation of 0.214. Two instruments were used for data collection: the Index of Marital Satisfaction developed by Walter W. Hudson (1982) and the Social Phobia Inventory developed by Katharine M. Connor et al. (2000). The study adopted a survey research design with a cross-sectional approach, and Pearson’s product–moment correlation was used to test the hypothesis. One hypothesis was formulated, which stated that social phobia would significantly correlate with marital satisfaction. The hypothesis was rejected (r = 0.051, p > .05), indicating no significant relationship between social phobia and marital satisfaction. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend that therapists, clinical psychologists, and marriage counsellors exercise caution when addressing the behavioural dynamics of social phobia and marital satisfaction among married persons.