Mediating Role of Relationship Attributions and Marital Forgiveness on the Relationship between Neuroticism, Attachment Styles and Marital Satisfaction

Aim: This research investigates mediating role of relationship attributions and marital forgiveness on the relationship between neuroticism, attachment styles and marital satisfaction. Methods: The research method was descriptive-correlational and used path analysis. Total of 240 male and females were selected among all married males and females in Shahrekord city using purposive sampling method according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. They responded to Quality of Marital Index (Norton), Relationship Attribution Measurement (Fincham & Bradbury), the Neuroticism Subscale (Costa & McCrae), Behavioual Systems Questionnaire (Furman & Wehner), Experiences in Close Relationship (Wei & et al), and Interpersonal Forgiving in Close Relationships (McCullough, & et al.). Findings: The results showed that evaluated structural model had good fit. The relationship attributions, marital forgiveness, neuroticism, attachment styles directly affected the marital satisfaction (p<0.001); also indirect effect of attachment styles through relationship attributions and marital forgiveness on marital satisfaction (p<0.001). Finally, indirect effect of neuroticism of through only marital forgiveness on marital satisfaction. Conclusion: Family counselors and psychologists should help couples whose lives have faced difficulties because of and/or attachment styles (avoidance) to eliminate distorted cognitions and promote forgiveness among them.

Comparison of Marital and Sexual Functioning of the Spouses of Patients with Schizophrenia and Depressive Disorders

Aim: This study assessed the various aspects of marital functioning among the spouses of patients with schizophrenia and recurrent depressive disorder (RDD). Methodology: Spouses were assessed on Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), Marital Forgiveness Scale, Quality Marriage Index, New Sexual Satisfaction Scale, and Arizona Sexual Experience Questionnaire. Results: Compared to the spouses of patients with RDD, spouses of patients with schizophrenia reported poor marital adjustment (in the consensus and satisfaction domains of DAS), lower quality of marriage, and significantly lower sexual satisfaction. Spouses did not differ significantly on account of marital forgiveness and prevalence of sexual dysfunction. Higher age of onset of schizophrenia in the patients was associated with better quality of marriage as assessed by using quality of marriage scale, better consensus, and satisfaction as per the DAS. Higher residual psychopathology and poor socio-occupational functioning in patients with schizophrenia were associated with poor marital adjustment and sexual satisfaction. Conclusion: To conclude, the present study depicts that the spouses of patients with schizophrenia have poorer marital adjustment and sexual satisfaction, in comparison to the spouses of patients with RDD.

Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy in Marital Burnout, Marital Forgiveness, and Communication Styles of Couples Affected by Extramarital Relationships

Introduction: Extramarital affairs or marital infidelity can be considered one of the most complex and traumatic emotional problems between couples. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of emotion-focused couple therapy in burnout, marital forgiveness, and communication styles of couples affected by extramarital relationships. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted based on an applied research method and pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all people referred to counseling centers in Sari, Iran, with extramarital affairs between April and June 2020. The study sample consisted of 30 individuals selected by convenient sampling method and randomly divided into an experimental (emotion-focused couple therapy; n=15) and a control group (n=15). The data were collected using the Couple Burnout Measure (CBM), Forgiveness Questionnaire, and Communication Styles Questionnaire. Subsequently, the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) through univariate analysis of covariance. Results: The findings showed that emotion-focused couple therapy had a statistically significant effect on the subjects regarding the Mutual Constructive Communication (F=7.64; P<0.001), Expectant Male/Female Sidetaker (F=74.18; P<0.001), Expectant Female/Male Sidetaker (F=47.11; P<0.001), Mutual Avoidance Communication (F=59.97; P<0.001), Forgiveness (F=80.15; P<0.001) and Marital Boredom (F=347.92; P<0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that emotion-focused couple therapy was effective in burnout, marital forgiveness, and communication styles of couples affected by extramarital relationships.

Measuring the Differences in Pairs' Marital Forgiveness Scores: Construct Validity and Links with Relationship Satisfaction

This study examined the reliability and validity of a Turkish version for the Marital Dispositional Forgiveness Scale (MDFS). 104 married couples ( M age = 36.6 yr., SD = 9.4) living in Turkey completed the Turkish versions of the MDFS and the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS). Cronbach's coefficients α for negative dimension (wives =. 82, husbands =. 80) and positive dimension (wives =. 80, husbands = .79) were adequate. A correlation between the MDFS and RAS scores indicated significant associations, stronger for the positive dimension than the negative dimension, supporting the external validity of the MDFS.