Social Desirability Bias, Ministry Hours Worked Per Week, and Marital Satisfaction: A Study of Ministry Workers Living in the United States

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a difference in social desirability bias (SDB) and marital satisfaction (MS) among ministry workers living in the United States who work more than their stated hours per week and those who do not work more than their stated hours. After introducing the topic by looking at the problem, along with its background, theoretical framework, and significance, a literature review was conducted. This review examined the current body of research on MS, ministry workers, ministry hours, and SDB. The literature review found that the goal of the dissertation is significant because no similar research has been conducted although it has been called for and is needed. No other design has specifically conducted an independent samples t-test that examined SDB and MS among a population of ministry workers living in the United States. Following the literature review, research methods of the research study were summarized, such as design, research questions, hypothesis, instrumentation, participant selection, and data analysis. The research design of the dissertation was an independent samples t-test because the differences between two different groups (ministry workers who work excess hours and ministry workers who do not work excess hours) were analyzed. In the end, it was found that there was no difference in either SDB or MS between the two different groups. Because of this, it was recommended that further research be conducted.