The mediating role of the couples’ mental health in mental health and marital satisfaction of each one

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate professor of cognitive neuroscience, Department of psychology, Payam-e- Noor University, Iran

2 Ph.D. student in psychology, Payam-e- Noor University, Iran

3 Ph.D. student in psychology, Young Researchers and Elite Club, Torbat-e-Heydarieh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Torbat-e-Heydarieh, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Marital satisfaction is one of the most important aspects of compatibility in an adult’s life, which is influenced by several factors. This study has been done with purpose of examination of the mediating role of the couples ’mental health in mental health and marital satisfaction each one.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 228 men and women (57 rural couples and 57 urban couples) were selected among parents of educated students of Payam-e-Noor University, Bonab branch, in academic year of 2010-11through random sampling. Then, Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire and check list of mental health were implemented for them. The data were analyzed by statistical tests such as independent t-test, Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression.
Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference between marital satisfaction of males and females, but in this study females had poorer mental health than other one (P<0.05). Partner’s mental health was partly mediated in the relationship between person’s mental health and marital satisfaction (both women and men). In addition, person’s mental health was also independently relevant to marital satisfaction (P<0.001).
Conclusion: It seems that improvement of couple's mental health can influence another partner's mental health and couple' marital satisfaction positively.

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