Explaining Marital Infidelity among Married Women using Personality Traits and Financial Well-being
Keywords:
Personality traits, financial well-being, marital infidelity, married women
Abstract
Marital infidelity among married women has become an intractable issue with significant social, emotional, and economic implications. Studies investigating marital infidelity have produced varied results. Therefore, this study examines the predictability of personality traits and financial well-being on marital fidelity among married women in Ibadan, Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey design was adopted while purposive sampling technique was used to select Ibadan North Local Government Area (LGA). Data were collected from 400 married women using validated questionnaires and analyzed using zero-correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analysis to one test hypothesis which was accepted at p <.01 level of significance. The results revealed that personality traits and financial well-being interacted to predict marital infidelity among study participants [R2 = .17, F(5, 349) = 14.39, p < .01]. Further results revealed that all the components of personality traits independently predicted marital infidelity. However, financial well-being did not independently predict marital infidelity. The study concludes that personality traits and the interaction of financial well-being are significantly predictors of marital infidelity among study participants. It is recommended that steps on financial empowerment and provision of counseling programs would help to reduce the rate of marital infidelity.
References
Abrantes-Braga, F.D.M.A. & Tania Veludo-de-Oliveira, T.(2019) Development and validation of financial well-being related scales. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 37(4), 1025-1040. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMB-03-2018-0074
Abolghasemi, A., Hosseini, S. H., & Abedini, A. (2024). The role of personality traits in predicting marital satisfaction among women in Iran. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 62(4), 310-320.
Adeoye, A., & Adeniran, T. (2020). The relationship between neuroticism and marital infidelity among married women in Ibadan. Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Science, 6(2), 45-56.
Adetunji, A., & Adebayo, F. (2020). Financial stress and marital infidelity among women in Ibadan. Nigerian Journal of Social Sciences, 9(3), 65-78.
Akinwale, B., & Ojo, A. (2022). Ethnicity and marital infidelity among married women: A study in Ibadan. Journal of Ethnic Studies, 10(3), 67-79.
Ajala B. S. (2025). Personality traits and financial well-being as predictors of marital infidelity among married woman in Ibadan North Local Government. BSc. thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Akinyemi, A., & Omotayo, F. (2023). Openness to experience and infidelity among married women in Ibadan. Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 17(4), 99-112.
Altgelt, E. E., Reyes, S., & Rodriguez, L. M. (2018). Longitudinal studies on personality traits as predictors of marital infidelity. Journal of Marriage and Family, 80(3), 657-670.
Atapour, S., Abbasi, M., & Khoshnevisan, A. (2021). The influence of social learning theory on marital infidelity: A meta-analysis. Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 12(2), 178-189.
Aubrey, J. S., Hupka-Brunner, S., & Grob, A. (2022). Financial literacy and self-efficacy in emerging adults: The role of personal financial management skills in navigating adulthood. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 51(8), 1520-1534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-022-01629-7
Bai, Y. (2023). Financial literacy and financial well-being: A dynamic relationship. Journal of Economic Psychology, 94, 102439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2023.102439
Brassart, E. (2020). The consequences of infidelity on relationships: A cross-cultural analysis. International Journal of Sociology and Family, 46(3), 165-179.
Calabrese, F., Giorgi, F., & Rossi, P. (2023). The role of punishment and reinforcement in marital infidelity. Behavioral Research in Psychology, 11(3), 189-206.
Cherry, K. (2022a). Social learning theory and its impact on behavior. Journal of Psychological Theory, 58(2), 146-165.
Davis, P., & Peterson, L. (2021). Religious commitment and marital fidelity: A study in the United Kingdom. Journal of Religious Studies, 19(4), 87-102.
Eze, J., & Adekunle, M. (2021). Conscientiousness and marital fidelity among married women in Ibadan. African Journal of Psychology, 18(1), 44-58.
Fincham, F. D., & May, R. W. (2017). Infidelity in romantic relationships. Current Opinion in Psychology, 13, 70-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.03.008
González-Rivera, J., Quiñones, I., & Latorre, S. (2019). Infidelity in Latin America: Cultural norms and personal behavior. Journal of Latin American Studies, 51(2), 239-258.
Graziano, W. G., & Tobin, R. M. (2019). Agreeableness: Dimension of personality or social desirability artifact? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(1), 159-175. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.1.159
Hamilton, L., Gordon, L. A., & Hader, R. J. (2018). Financial freedom and its relationship with life satisfaction. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 52(2), 447-475. https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12177
Kandola, A. (2020). Negative reinforcement and its role in marital infidelity. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 46(2), 203-216.
Lee, S., & Lee, J. (2019). Financial stress, emotional strain, and marital infidelity: A mediational analysis. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 30(2), 219-231.
Lucas, R. E., & Diener, E. (2008). Personality and subjective well-being. In O. P. John, R. W. Robins, & L. A. Pervin (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (3rd ed., pp. 795-814). Guilford Press.
Mathew, V., Santhosh Kumar, P. K. (2022). Financial well-being and its psychological
determinants – An emerging country perspective. FIIB Business Review,13(1), `1-14 https://doi.org/10.1177/23197145221121080
McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T., Jr. (2008). The five-factor theory of personality. In O. P. John, R. W. Robins, & L. A. Pervin (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (3rd ed., pp. 159-181). Guilford Press.
Morgan, H., & Jacobs, D. (2022). Financial stability, relationship satisfaction, and infidelity: An analysis of married couples. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 43(2), 98-113.
Murphy, D., Carnelley, K. B., & Adams, C. (2024). Cultural attitudes towards infidelity and its prevalence in different communities. International Journal of Sociology, 53(2), 170-190.
Namira, N., Isma, N., & Turnip, E. (2019). The role of personality traits in predicting attitudes towards infidelity. Journal of Psychological Science, 14(2), 76-89.
Olagunju, T. (2021). Financial autonomy and marital infidelity among women in Ibadan. Journal of African Studies, 19(3), 145-159.
Oyafunke-Omoniyi, C. O., & Adewusi, E. A. (2021). Social learning theory and its impact on marital infidelity in Nigeria. Journal of Psychology and Education, 58(4), 543-561.
Rammstedt, B & John, O.P. (2007). Measuring personality in one minute or less: A 10 item short version of the Big Five Inventory in English and German. Journal of Research in Personality. 41, 203-212
Roberts, K., & Kim, H. (2024). Conscientiousness and marital fidelity: The role of commitment
and responsibility. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 156, 104567.
Rokach, A., & Chan, D. W. (2023). Observational learning and its role in marital infidelity. Journal of Family Psychology, 45(2), 199-217.
Scott, H.K., Jain, A., & Cogburn, M. (2023). Behaviour modification. National Library of
Medicine. USA.
Taylor, P., & Parker, M. (2020). Financial autonomy and marital relationships: The risk of
Thompson, C., Green, A., & Murphy, L. (2024). Extraversion and infidelity: The influence
Whatley, M.(2006). Attitudes toward infidelity scale https://www.scibd.com/document/152231639/attitude -toward-infidelity scale
Abolghasemi, A., Hosseini, S. H., & Abedini, A. (2024). The role of personality traits in predicting marital satisfaction among women in Iran. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 62(4), 310-320.
Adeoye, A., & Adeniran, T. (2020). The relationship between neuroticism and marital infidelity among married women in Ibadan. Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Science, 6(2), 45-56.
Adetunji, A., & Adebayo, F. (2020). Financial stress and marital infidelity among women in Ibadan. Nigerian Journal of Social Sciences, 9(3), 65-78.
Akinwale, B., & Ojo, A. (2022). Ethnicity and marital infidelity among married women: A study in Ibadan. Journal of Ethnic Studies, 10(3), 67-79.
Ajala B. S. (2025). Personality traits and financial well-being as predictors of marital infidelity among married woman in Ibadan North Local Government. BSc. thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Akinyemi, A., & Omotayo, F. (2023). Openness to experience and infidelity among married women in Ibadan. Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 17(4), 99-112.
Altgelt, E. E., Reyes, S., & Rodriguez, L. M. (2018). Longitudinal studies on personality traits as predictors of marital infidelity. Journal of Marriage and Family, 80(3), 657-670.
Atapour, S., Abbasi, M., & Khoshnevisan, A. (2021). The influence of social learning theory on marital infidelity: A meta-analysis. Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 12(2), 178-189.
Aubrey, J. S., Hupka-Brunner, S., & Grob, A. (2022). Financial literacy and self-efficacy in emerging adults: The role of personal financial management skills in navigating adulthood. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 51(8), 1520-1534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-022-01629-7
Bai, Y. (2023). Financial literacy and financial well-being: A dynamic relationship. Journal of Economic Psychology, 94, 102439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2023.102439
Brassart, E. (2020). The consequences of infidelity on relationships: A cross-cultural analysis. International Journal of Sociology and Family, 46(3), 165-179.
Calabrese, F., Giorgi, F., & Rossi, P. (2023). The role of punishment and reinforcement in marital infidelity. Behavioral Research in Psychology, 11(3), 189-206.
Cherry, K. (2022a). Social learning theory and its impact on behavior. Journal of Psychological Theory, 58(2), 146-165.
Davis, P., & Peterson, L. (2021). Religious commitment and marital fidelity: A study in the United Kingdom. Journal of Religious Studies, 19(4), 87-102.
Eze, J., & Adekunle, M. (2021). Conscientiousness and marital fidelity among married women in Ibadan. African Journal of Psychology, 18(1), 44-58.
Fincham, F. D., & May, R. W. (2017). Infidelity in romantic relationships. Current Opinion in Psychology, 13, 70-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.03.008
González-Rivera, J., Quiñones, I., & Latorre, S. (2019). Infidelity in Latin America: Cultural norms and personal behavior. Journal of Latin American Studies, 51(2), 239-258.
Graziano, W. G., & Tobin, R. M. (2019). Agreeableness: Dimension of personality or social desirability artifact? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(1), 159-175. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.1.159
Hamilton, L., Gordon, L. A., & Hader, R. J. (2018). Financial freedom and its relationship with life satisfaction. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 52(2), 447-475. https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12177
Kandola, A. (2020). Negative reinforcement and its role in marital infidelity. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 46(2), 203-216.
Lee, S., & Lee, J. (2019). Financial stress, emotional strain, and marital infidelity: A mediational analysis. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 30(2), 219-231.
Lucas, R. E., & Diener, E. (2008). Personality and subjective well-being. In O. P. John, R. W. Robins, & L. A. Pervin (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (3rd ed., pp. 795-814). Guilford Press.
Mathew, V., Santhosh Kumar, P. K. (2022). Financial well-being and its psychological
determinants – An emerging country perspective. FIIB Business Review,13(1), `1-14 https://doi.org/10.1177/23197145221121080
McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T., Jr. (2008). The five-factor theory of personality. In O. P. John, R. W. Robins, & L. A. Pervin (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (3rd ed., pp. 159-181). Guilford Press.
Morgan, H., & Jacobs, D. (2022). Financial stability, relationship satisfaction, and infidelity: An analysis of married couples. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 43(2), 98-113.
Murphy, D., Carnelley, K. B., & Adams, C. (2024). Cultural attitudes towards infidelity and its prevalence in different communities. International Journal of Sociology, 53(2), 170-190.
Namira, N., Isma, N., & Turnip, E. (2019). The role of personality traits in predicting attitudes towards infidelity. Journal of Psychological Science, 14(2), 76-89.
Olagunju, T. (2021). Financial autonomy and marital infidelity among women in Ibadan. Journal of African Studies, 19(3), 145-159.
Oyafunke-Omoniyi, C. O., & Adewusi, E. A. (2021). Social learning theory and its impact on marital infidelity in Nigeria. Journal of Psychology and Education, 58(4), 543-561.
Rammstedt, B & John, O.P. (2007). Measuring personality in one minute or less: A 10 item short version of the Big Five Inventory in English and German. Journal of Research in Personality. 41, 203-212
Roberts, K., & Kim, H. (2024). Conscientiousness and marital fidelity: The role of commitment
and responsibility. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 156, 104567.
Rokach, A., & Chan, D. W. (2023). Observational learning and its role in marital infidelity. Journal of Family Psychology, 45(2), 199-217.
Scott, H.K., Jain, A., & Cogburn, M. (2023). Behaviour modification. National Library of
Medicine. USA.
Taylor, P., & Parker, M. (2020). Financial autonomy and marital relationships: The risk of
Thompson, C., Green, A., & Murphy, L. (2024). Extraversion and infidelity: The influence
Whatley, M.(2006). Attitudes toward infidelity scale https://www.scibd.com/document/152231639/attitude -toward-infidelity scale
Published
2025-06-04
How to Cite
Bisola S. Ajala, Esohe G. Ehondor, Sunday A. Atunwa, & Emmanuel E. Uye. (2025). Explaining Marital Infidelity among Married Women using Personality Traits and Financial Well-being. International Journal of Economics, Business and Innovation Research, 4(04), 144-157. https://doi.org/10.63922/ijebir.v4i04.1905
.png)
Contact Person +6282139474255
Email : ijebir@citakonsultindo.or.id / editor.ijebir@gmail.com
