Uye, E.E.; Shittu, S.O.; Atunwa, S.A. & Olapegba, P.O. (2023); Influence of Emotional Distress, Personality Traits and Spousal Communication on Marital Stability among Married Couples in Ibadan Metropolis, ANSU Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (ANSUJASS), 10 (1): 49-60 49 Influence of Emotional Distress, Personality Traits and Spousal Communication on Marital Stability among Married Couples in Ibadan Metropolis Emmanuel E. Uye Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria emmanuel.e.uye@gmail.com Suliat O. Shittu Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria Sunday A. Atunwa Department of General Studies, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo State Peter O. Olapegba Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria Abstract Marital stability has implications on well-being of couples, children and the larger society. Studies on psychological factors that influence marital stability seem sketchy. Therefore, this study investigated influence of emotional distress, personality traits, and spousal communication on marital stability among married couples in Ibadan metropolis. A cross-sectional survey design was utilized while purposive sampling technique was used to select nine organizations in Ibadan metropolis. Data were collected from 300 participants using Emotional Distress Scale, Big Five Personality Scale, Spousal Communication Scale, and Marital Stability Scale. Two hypotheses were tested using zero-ordered correlation and standard multiple regression at p < 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that emotional distress correlated with personality traits (r = -.13, p < .05), spousal communication(r = .29, p <.05), and marital stability (r =- .188, p < .05). Also, personality traits correlated with marital stability (r = .13, p < .05). Furthermore, emotional distress independently predicted marital stability (β = -.19, p <.05). However, personality traits (β = .11, p >.05) and spousal