Al-Hikmah University Journal

This study examined the relationship between assertiveness skills and marital dissatisfaction

among married postgraduate students of Al-Hikmah University Ilorin. The correlational

research design was adopted for the study. The sample was 150 postgraduate students of Al-

Hikmah University, Ilorin randomly selected for the study. Assertiveness Skills Questionnaire

(ASQ) and Marital Dissatisfaction Scale (MDS) were used to collecting the necessary data. The

data collected were analysed using PPMC and Multiple Regression Analysis. Three hypotheses

were raised and tested at 0.05 critical region. The findings revealed that there was a significant

negative relationship between boldness skill and marital dissatisfaction of married postgraduate

students of Al-Hikmah University (r.-0.00, df.148, p.<0.05) there was a significant negative

relationship between communication skill and marital dissatisfaction of married postgraduate

students of Al-Hikmah University (r.-0.26, df.148, p.<0.05); there was a significant negative

relationship between active listening skill and marital dissatisfaction of married postgraduate

students of Al-Hikmah University, (r.-0.29, df.148, p.<0.05). Based on the findings, the study

concluded that assertiveness skills (boldness skill, communication skills and listening skills) were

strong correlates of marital dissatisfaction among married postgraduate students in Al-Hikmah

University, Ilorin. Hence, the marital dissatisfaction of the the postgraduate students of Al-

Hikmah University can be managed with assertiveness skills. Based on the conclusion, the study

recommended that married postgraduate students should endeavour to improve their

assertiveness skills so as to reduce their marital dissatisfaction and enhance their marital

satisfaction.