Emotional Suppression and Psychological Well-Being in Marriage: The Role of Regulatory Focus and Spousal Behavior

Emotional suppression has been considered a critical factor in determining one’s mental health and psychological well-being in intimate relationships such as marriage. The present study aimed to delineate the nuanced association between emotional suppression and psychological well-being in marriage by considering two critical factors: (a) individual differences in motivational orientation and (b) the perceived level of a partner’s emotional suppression. A set of two online survey studies were conducted on a large sample of married participants. The participants were asked to indicate (a) their own level of emotional suppression, (b) the perceived level of their spouse’s emotional suppression, (c) relationship motivation, and (d) satisfaction with marital life. The results consistently indicated that for prevention-focused individuals being emotionally suppressive was associated with greater marital satisfaction, but only for those who perceived their spouses as also emotionally suppressive. Conversely, for promotion-focused individuals, being less emotionally suppressive was associated with greater marital satisfaction, but again, only for those who perceived their spouses as also being less emotionally suppressive. These findings provide insights into research on emotion regulation and self-regulatory strategies in influencing psychological well-being and mental health in an intimate relationship.

Evaluation of Mood Changes AmongPeripartum Women at PKDAS Institute of Medical Science, Vaniyamkulam, Palakkad: A Prospective, Observational, Longitudinal Study

Background: The perinatal period is well established as an increased risk for development of serious mood disorders. Maternal mental health in developing countries gets less than its due attention. The present study was undertaken to evaluate mood changes in Peripartum period in our population and to identify demographic, obstetric, social and psychosocial risk factors associated with Peripartum depression using established scales.Material & Methods:A prospective, observational, longitudinal study conducted in PK das institute of medical science, vaniyamkulam, with 387 perinatal women for 12 months (February 2018– January 2019). Various scales EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), CMSS (Couple Marital Satisfaction Scale, IMS (Index of Marital Satisfaction), LES (Life Event Scale) were studied in Peripartum Period.Results:Among a total of 387 participants about half 189 (48.8%) were in 19-25 years of Age. Almost 30% and 40% had dissatisfied married life as per the CMS and IMS scales respectively. Just above 42% were screen positive for depression antenatally with EPDS & 39% (n = 151) in the immediate postpartum period. From these 151 screen positive cases in immediate postpartum period, 138 participants were followed up at 4-6 weeks (13 were lost to follow up) and up to 115 of 138 (83.3%) were screen positive for depression (N= 387, 29.7%), which was statistically significant (p<0.001). With EPDS during antenatal period there was no statistically significant relationship of depression with Education (p = 0.195), Occupation (p = 0.651) and pregnancy planned or unplanned (p = 0.223), whereas, Joint family, participants with dissatisfied marital relationship had increased risk of depression as evidenced by IMS and CMSS (p < 0.001). Participants with a previous male gender baby had less risk of developing depression (p< 0.001) & participants with previous 2 female children had increased risk of depression (p< 0.001).Conclusions:This study highlights importance of screening for maternal mental health problems during Peripartum period. Depression in immediate postpartum period is good predictor for increased risk of depression at 4-6 weeks postpartum.

The Effectiveness of Training Bowen's Family Therapy Approach on Marital Satisfaction of Married Women in the Aligodarz of City (In the West of Iran), in 2019

Introduction: Marital satisfaction is one of the most important signs of a favorable relationship between couples. This research aimed to survey the effectiveness of training using Bowen's family therapy approach on marital satisfaction of married women in the city of Aligodarz (In the west of Iran). Method: This study was a quasiexperi mental study using a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of counseling applicant married women in the city of Aligodarz in 2019. By convenience sampling, 30 married women were selected and participated in this study. After recording the subjects' scores in the pre-test stage, the experimental group was exposed to the intervention (training course), but no operations were performed on the control group. Data gathering was carried out using a demographic questionnaire and ENRICH marital satisfaction scale. Frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation indices were used to describe and Chi-square test was used to examine the homogeneity of the two groups in terms of study variables and multivariate analysis of covariance were performed in SPSS 24 software with a significancel level of 5%. Results: Descriptive findings showed that the mean (standard deviation) of the total score of the marital satisfaction variable in the pre-test and post-test stages was 131.60 (26.89) and 142.81 (25.24) in the experimental group and 132.66 (24.09) and 132.26 (21.92) in the control group, respectively. The inferential findings showed that Bowen's family therapy approach has a significant effect on some of the dimensions of marital satisfaction (religious orientation, equality of women and men, children and parenting, sexual relation, financial management, conflict resolution, and marital satisfaction) (p< 0.05). On the other hand, this approach was not practical in improving other aspects of marital satisfaction (relationship with family and friends, leisure time, marital relationship, personality issues, and contractual responses) (p> 0.05). Conclusion: The present study results showed an increase in marital satisfaction of married women using the Bowen family therapy approach. Therefore, it is recommended to use Bowen's family therapy approach to improve women's marital satisfaction with family problems.

Raising Children in the Context of Rapid Social Change: Parenting Self-Efficacy of South Korean Mothers

Given recent sociocultural and economic changes that have created significant pressures on South Korean mothers, we were interested in understanding the factors that might contribute to their sense of competence in taking on the challenges of childrearing. We examined several family conditions theoretically supportive of mothers’ parenting self-efficacy (PSE), specifically whether mothers’ PSE was associated with their marital satisfaction and with their children’s competence (social and academic). We then examined whether PSE was related to life stress, as well as whether life stress moderated the relationship of PSE to the proximal marital and child variables. Participants included 234 South Korean mothers of pre-primary-aged children. Mothers completed a survey reporting on PSE, life stress, and marital satisfaction. Teachers provided ratings of children’s competence. Regression analyses indicated that mothers who experienced lower life stress reported higher PSE after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Neither marital satisfaction nor child competence was associated with PSE. A second set of regressions tested the same set of predictors, in addition to the interactions of life stress with marital satisfaction and of life stress with child competence. Results indicated that for mothers reporting lower life stress, greater marital satisfaction was associated with higher PSE. Unexpectedly, for mothers experiencing higher life stress, lower marital satisfaction was associated with higher PSE. These findings support theoretical formulations linking PSE with marital support and life stress, while suggesting a need to further investigate the association among these factors in a variety of situational contexts, particularly those that are appraised as stressful.

Consensus on Constraints in Marital Satisfaction Among Married People in African Context

Marriage is considered as the most important social institution and symbol of adulthood in Africa. However, the trend of divorce has increased alarmingly in recent years. We explored the constraints towards marital satisfaction by using the Delphi technique with assumptions that couples are the experts on their marriages. Participant’s panel included married heterosexual couples divided into two groups: men and women couple’s panels. The group of women’s panel included 31 participants and men’s panel contained 25 males. Then in the final stage, both groups provided their views and discussed on the possible solutions to the identified constraints. Five major themes emerged: satisfaction in sexuality among couples, difficulties in communication, economic and financial conflicts, the role of extended families, and opportunity for behavioural change to achieve marital satisfaction. Our findings support the hypothesis that satisfaction with sexual intercourse, respectful communication, financial stability and careful handling of relatives influence marital satisfaction.

Transition à la Parentalité et Fonctionnement Conjugal chez les Couples Infertiles en Tunisie

Objectif.-Evaluer l’impact de l’adoption sur le fonctionnement conjugal des couples infertiles. Méthode.-L’échantillon est composé de 146 participants hétérosexuels (73 couples) répartis en un groupe avec enfant adoptif (GAEA) composé de 30 couples infertiles vivant une parentalité adoptive et deux groupes contrôles ; le groupe avec enfant biologique (GAEB) composé de 30 couples fertiles ayant accès à la parentalité biologique et le groupe sans enfant (GSE) qui comprend 13 couples infertiles sans enfants. Résultats : Le GAEA semble éviter moins la proximité que les deux groupes contrôles et apparaît plus anxieux face à l’abandon uniquement par rapport au GAEB. Il utilise significativement plus la communication mutuelle mais uniquement par rapport au GSE et rapporte davantage des comportements de "Demande-Retrait" par rapport aux deux groupes témoins. De plus, Il est plus satisfait sur le plan conjugal que les deux groupes contrôles. Conclusion: L’étude offre une meilleure compréhension des changements au sein des couples infertiles devenant parents par voie d’adoption et ouvre plusieurs pistes d’investigation. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of adoption on the marital functioning of infertile couples. The sample is composed of 146 heterosexual participants (73 couples) divided into a group with adopted children (GWAC) made up of 30 infertile couples living in adoptive parenthood and two control groups; the group with biological child (GWBC) made up of 30 fertile couples with access to biological parenthood and the childless group (GWC) which includes 13 infertile couples without children. The GWAC seems to avoid proximity less than the two control groups and appears more anxious about abandonment only in relation to the GWBC. He used mutual communication significantly more but only in relation to the GWC and reported more "Request-Withdrawal" behaviors compared to the two control groups. In addition, he is more marital satisfaction than the two control groups. The study offers a better understanding of the changes in infertile couples becoming parents by adoption and opens several tracks of investigation.