Evaluating the Model of the Relationship between Mindfulness and Marital Satisfaction with Mediation of Marital Empathy

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Counseling, psychology and Educational Science Faculty, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

2 2. MSc student, Department of Counseling, psychology and Educational Science Faculty, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Department of Counseling, psychology and Educational Science Faculty, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

This research was conducted to evaluate the model of relationship between mindfulness and marital satisfaction with mediating marital empathy among married female under occupied in Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation of Ahvaz. This study is applied in terms of purpose and has a correlational design. One hundred and fifty married women employed in Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation of Ahvaz were selected in 2018 using purposive and voluntary sampling method. The data collection instruments used were Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Marital Empathy Scale (MES) and Marital Satisfaction Scale (MSS). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, simultaneous hierarchical regression analysis, and SPSS-23 statistical software. The results showed that there was a significant positive relationship between the variables mindfulness and marital empathy, mindfulness and marital satisfaction, and marital empathy and marital satisfaction (p < 0.001). Simultaneous hierarchical regression analysis using Baron and Kenny’s method also revealed that marital empathy was a positive mediator variable between mindfulness and marital satisfaction. The results suggest that women’s understanding and empathy in different ways, such as verbal and nonverbal behaviors, lead them to be aware of their partner’s demands and needs and to try to understand their feelings and emotions, which in turn leads to the couple feeling good about each other.

Keywords

References

احمدوند، ز.، حیدری‌نسب، ل.، و شعیری، م. ر. (1392). وارسی اعتبار و روایی پرسشنامۀ پنج‌وجهی ذهن‌آگاهی در نمونه‌های غیربالینی ایرانی. مجلۀ علوم رفتاری. 7(3)، 237-229.
امیدبیکی، م.، خلیلی، ش.، لواسانی، م.، و قربانی، ن. (1393). رابطۀ ذهن‌آگاهی و خودشناسی منسجم با رضایتمندی زناشویی. مجلۀ روان‌شناسی. 18(3)، 341-327.
ثنایی ذاکر، ب.، علاقبند، س.، فلاحتی، ش.، و هومن، ع. (1387). مقیاس‌های سنجش خانواده و ازدواج. چاپ دوم. تهران: بعثت.
جهانیان، م.، و سپهری شاملو، ز. (1396). تأثیر ذهن‌آگاهی بر رضایت زناشویی روان با میانجی‌گری هوش هیجانی. نشریۀ روان‌پرستاری. ۵(۳)، 6-1.
جوادی، م. (1394). بررسی رابطۀ بین همدلی، ابراز احساسات و رضایت زناشویی زوجین. مطالعات روان‌شناسی و علوم تربیتی. 1(2)، 14-1.
رجبی، غ. ر. (1388). ساختار عاملی مقیاس رضایت زناشویی در کارکنان متأهل دانشگاه شهید چمران اهواز. مجلۀ روان‌پزشکی و روان‌شناسی بالینی ایران. 15(14)، 358-351.
رجبی، غ. ر.، حریزاوی، م.، و تقی‌پور، م. (1395). ارزیابی مدل رابطۀ خود دلسوزی، همدلی زناشویی و افسردگی با میانجی‌گری بخشش زناشویی در زنان. دوفصلنامۀ مشاورۀ کاربردی. 6(2)، 22-1.
شهابی‌زاده، ف.، و مظاهری، م. (1391). دلبستگی ادراک‌شدۀ دوران کودکی، کارکرد خانواده و مقابلۀ مذهبی. فصلنامۀ روان‌شناسی تحولی: روان‌شناسان ایرانی. 8(31)، 234-221.
صداقت‌خواه، ع.، و بهزادی‌پور، س. (1396). پیش‌بینی کیفیت روابط زناشویی براساس باورهای ارتباطی، ذهن‌آگاهی و انعطاف‌پذیری روان‌شناختی. زن و جامعه. 8(30)، 76-57.
مؤمنی، خ.، صیدی، م. س.، رضایی، خ.، و ابراهیمی، م. (1393). نقش واسطه‌ای همدلی همسران در ارتباط بین الگوهای فراغت با خرسندی و ثبات ازدواج. فصلنامۀ فرهنگی تربیتی زنان و خانواده. 9(28)، 123-107.
فتوت، ف.، قهاری، ش.، و سالمی خامنه، ع. ر. (1398). سبک­های ابرازگری هیجانی، همدلی عاطفی، رضایت زناشویی با میانجی­گری سبک دلبستگی در مادران کودکان ای‌دی‌اچ‌دی. پرستار و پزشک در رزم. 7(25)، 40-33.
هاشم‌پور، م.، سعیدمنش، م.، و گرامی، م. ح. (1398). اثربخشی شناخت‌درمانی مبتنی بر ذهن‌آگاهی بر رضایت زناشویی و نشانه‌های افسردگی در زنان مبتلا به اختلال افسردگی پس از زایمان. مطالعات ناتوانی. 9(93)، 6-1.
نادری، ل.، مولوی، ح.، و نوری، آ. (1394). پیش‌بینی رضایت زناشویی زوجین شهر اصفهان براساس همدلی و بخشودن. دانش و پژوهش در روان‌شناسی کاربردی. 16(62)، 75-69.
References
Abedi Shargh, N., Bakhshani, N. M., Davoud Mohebbi, M., Mahmudian, K., Ahovan, M., Mokhtari, M., & Gangali, A. (2016). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive group therapy on marital satisfaction and general health in woman with infertility. Global Journal of Health Science, 8(3), 230-235.
Allsop, D. B., Leavitt, C. E., Saxey, M. T., Lawlor, J. M., Yorgason, J. B., & James, S. L. (2021). How empathy moderates associations between sexual and relational satisfaction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 47(6), 545-557.
Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, H., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self-report assessment method to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13(1), 27-45.
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality Social Psychological, 51(6), 1173-1182.
Batson, C. D., O'Quin, K., Fultz, J., Vandeplas, M., & Isen, A. (1983). Self-reported distress and empathy and egoistic versus altruistic motivation for helping. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45, 706-718.
Billington, J., Baron-Cohen, S., & Wheelwright, S. (2007). Cognitive style predicts entry into physical sciences and humanities: Questionnaire and performance tests of empathy and systemizing. Journal of Learning Individual Differences, 17(3), 260-268.
Bishop, S. R., Shauna Shapiro, M. L., Carlson, L., Anderson, N. D., Carmody, J., Segel, Z. V., Abbey, S., Speca, M., Velting, D., & Devins, G. (2004). Mindfulness: A Proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Society, 11(3), 230-241.
Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and loss. Vol. 3. Loss. New York. Basic Books.
Brotto, L.A., Basson, R., & Luria, M. (2008). A mindfulness-based group psycho-educational intervention targeting sexual arousal disorder in women. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5(7), 1646–1659.
Carre, A., Stefanink, N., D Amrosio, F., Besche-Richard, C., & Besche-Richard, L. (2013). The basic empathy scale in adults (BES-A): factor structure of a revised from. Psychological Assessment, 25(3), 679-691.
Chung, M. S. (2014). Pathways between attachment and marital satisfaction: The mediating roles of rumination, empathy, and forgiveness. Personality and Individual Differences, 70, 246-251.
De la Fuente-Anuncibay, R., Gonzalez-Barbadillo, G., Ortega-Sanchaz, D., & Pizarro-Ruiz, J. P. (2020). Mindfulness and empathy: Mediating factors and gender differences in a Spanish sample. Frontiers in Psychology Gender, Sex, and Sexuality, 11, 1-11.
Fowers‚ B. J.‚ & Olson‚ D. H. (1993). ENRICH marital satisfaction scale: a brief research and clinical tool. Journal of Family Psychology‚ 7(2), 176-185.
Garnarino, J. (1999). Lost boys: Why ours sons turn violent and how we can save them. NY: The free press.
Gaur, P., & Bhardwaj, A. (2015). Relationship between empathy, forgiveness and marital adjustment in couples. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 3(8), 149-155.
Givertz. M., Segrin, C., & Hanzal, A. (2009). The association and commitment differs across marital couple types. Communication Research, 36(4), 561-584.
Harvey, J., Crowley, J., & Woszidlo, A. (2019). Mindfulness, conflict strategy use, and relational satisfaction: A dyadic investigation. Mindfulness, 10 (4), 749-58.
Holekian, F., Madani, Y., & Gholamali Lavasani, M. (2014). Lateralization and marital satisfaction. Procedia-Social and Behavior Sceinces, 165, 40-44.
Ismaeilzadeh, N., & Akbari, B. (2020). Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in sexual self-efficacy and marital satisfaction among couples with marital conflicts. Avicenna Journal of Neuro Psycho Physiology, 7(1), 29-36.
Burnette, J. L., & Franiuk, R. (2010). Individual differences in implicit theories of relationship and partner fit: predicting forgiveness in developing relationships. Journal of Personality and Individual Differences, 34(2), 144-148.
Jones, K. C., Welton, S. R., Oliver, T. C., & Thoburn, J. W. (2011). Mindfulness, spousal attachment, and marital satisfaction: A mediated model. The Family Journal, 19(4), 357-361.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2015). Mindfulness. Mindfulness, 6, 1481-1483.
Karremans, J. C., Schellekens, M. P., & Kappen, G. (2017). Bridging the sciences of mindfulness and romantic relationships: A theoretical model and research agenda. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 21(1), 29-49.
Kappen, G., Karremans, J. C., Burk, W. J., & Buyukcan-Tetik, A. (2018). On the association between mindfulness and romantic relationship satisfaction: the role of partner acceptance. Mindfulness, 5, 1543-1556.
Khoury, B., Lecomte, T., Fortin, G., Masse, M., Therien, P., Bouchard, V., Chapleau, M-A., Paquin, K., & Hofmann, S. G. (2013). Mindfulness-based therapy: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(6), 763-771.
Kingsbury, E. (2009). The relationship between empathy and mindfulness. 70(5-B), 3175.
Leonard, H. D., Campbell, K., & Gonzalez, V. M. (2018). The relationships among clinician self-Report of empathy, mindfulness, and therapeutic alliance. Mindfulness, 9(6), 1837-1844.
Ludwig, D. S., & Kabat-Zinn, J. (2008). Mindfulness in medicine. JAMA, 300(11), 1350-1352.
McGill J. M., Burke, L. K., & Adler-Baeder, F. (2020). The dyadic influences of mindfulness on relationship functioning. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37(12), 2941-2951.
Nakoneznt, P. A., & Denton, W. H. (2008). Marital relationships: A social exchange theory perspective. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 36(5), 402-412.
Nimtz, M. A. (2011). Satisfaction and contributing factors in satisfying long terms marriage: A phenomenological study. Doctoral dissertation. Doctoral Candidate Student in Professional Counseling Liberty University. Chair Liberty University. Virginia.
Pereira, R., Almeida, I., Teixeira, P. M., & Nobre, P. J (2020). Mindfulness-related variables and sexual/relationship satisfaction in people with physical disabilities. Mindfulness, 11, 1993-2006.
Quinn-Nilas, C. (2020). Self-report trait mindfulness and couples relationship satisfaction: A meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 11(4), 835-844.
Roberts, K., Jaurequi, M. E., Kimmes, J. G., & Selice, L. (2021). Trait mindfulness and relationship satisfaction: The role of forgiveness among couples. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47(1), 196-207.
Román, N., & Urbán, R. (2019). Mindful awareness or self-regulation in eating: an investigation into the underlying dimensions of mindful eating. Mindfulness, 10, 2110-2120.
Rosen, N. O., Mooney, K., & Muise, A. (2017). Dyadic empathy predicts sexual and relationship well-being in couples transitioning to parenthood. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 43(6), 543- 559.
Ramaswamy, A. (2018). Cultivating multicultural counseling. Competence. Doctoral dissertation. University of the Comberlande.
Shackelford, T. K., Besser, A., & Goetz, A. T. (2008). Personality, marital satisfaction, and probability of marital infidelity. Individual Differences Research, 6(1), 13-25.
Smith, A. R. (2015). Mindfulness and marital satisfaction: Direct and indirect effects. A Master of Science thesis in family psychology, Department of Human Development and Family Studies Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Sprecher, S., Wenzel, A., & Harvey, J. (2008). Handbook of relationship initiation. New York: Taylor & Francis group.
Tan, L. B., Lo, B. C., & Macrae, C. N. (2014). Brief mindfulness meditation improves mental state attribution and empathizing. PloS One, 9(10), e110510.
Trautwein, F.M., Naranjo, J. R., & Schmidt, S. (2014). Meditation effects in the social domain: self-other connectedness as a general mechanism? In Meditation–Neuroscientific Approaches and Philosophical Implications, eds S. Schmid & H. Walach (Cham: Springer), 175–198.
Vahedian, M., & Salem, V. (2019). Relationship of self-efficacy with mindfulness and empathy in red crescent society volunteers in Saveh. Journal of Rescue and Relief, 11(4), 260-266.
Van Dam, N. T., Earleywine, M., & Donaff-Burg, S. (2009). Differential item function across mediators and non-mediators on the five facet mindfulness questionnaire. Personality and Individual Difference, 47(1), 516-521.
Villa, M., & Del Prette, Z. (2013). Marital satisfaction: The role of social skills of husbands and wives. Paidéia (RibeirãoPreto), 23(56), 379-388.
Wachs, K., & Cordova, J. V. (2007). Mindful relating: Exploring mindfulness and emotion repertoires in intimate relationships. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 33(4), 464-481.
Wang, Y. (2020). Correlation analysis of empathy satisfaction and empathy, mental resilience, and social support in elderly patients with functional dyspepsia. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi, 28(2), 70-75.
Zenner, C., Herrnleben-Kurz, S., & Walach, H. (2013). Mindfulness-based interventions in schools-a systemic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1-20.
Journal of Applied Psychological Research
Volume 13, Issue 1
2022
Pages 183-198

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 22 March 2021
  • Revise Date: 06 June 2021
  • Accept Date: 09 June 2021
  • First Publish Date: 02 May 2022
  • Publish Date: 22 May 2022

Share

How to cite

Statistics