The Moderating Role of Self-Compassion and Forgiveness in the Relationship of Marital Conflicts and Interactions With Quality of Marital Life

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 M.A. Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Quality of Marital Life have a significant impact on mental, family, and even physical health of the individual and it is essential to identify the factors influencing them. The present study aimed to investigate the moderating role of self-compassion and forgiveness in the relationship between couples’ conflicts as well as their interactions and the quality of marital life in married employees of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. This study was a descriptive-correlational one. The statistical population included all married employees of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences among whom 200 individuals were selected using convenience sampling method. The Quality of Marriage Index (QMI), Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), Texas Tech Relationship Interaction Scale (TTRIS), Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ), and Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF) were used collect data. Pearson correlation coefficient as well as multiple and interaction regression were used to analyze the data. The results of the statistical analysis revealed that self-compassion and forgiveness moderate the relationship between couples’ conflict and the quality of marital life. Self-compassion and forgiveness also moderate the relationship between couples’ interactions and the quality of marital life. It can be concluded that self-compassion and forgiveness play a significant role in the quality of marital life

Keywords


Amanelahi, a., Izadi panah, M., & Sodani. M. (2016). The relationship between attachment to god, sanctification of marriage and spiritual intimacy with marital quality, Journal of Applied Counseling, 5(1), 95-11. (Persian)
Amanelahi, a., Tardast, k., & Aslani, Kh. (2016). Prediction of depression based on components of self- compassion in girl students with emotional breakdown experience in ahvaz universities. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 8(2), 77-88. (Persian)
Arsalandeh, F., Habibi, M., Salimi, A., Shakarami, M., & Davarniya, R. (2018). Effectiveness of inducing positive affect on improvement autobiographical memory in depressive patients. Zanko Journal of Medical Sciences, 18(59), 68-79. (Persian)
Azizpoor, P., & Safarzadeh, S. (2016). Moderating Role of Perception of Equity and Sacrificial Behavior on Relationship of Spouse Intimacy with Marital Quality. Journal of Family Research, 12(3), 391-411.‏ (Persian)
Baskin, T. W., & Enright, R. D. (2004). Intervention studies on forgiveness: A meta‐analysis. Journal of counseling & Development82(1), 79-90.
Bean, R. C., Ledermann, T., Higginbotham, B. J., & Galliher, R. V. (2019). Associations between relationship maintenance behaviors and marital stability in remarriages. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 61(1), 62-82.
Behzadpour, S., Motahari, Z., & Sohrabi, F. (2018). Predicting of achievement motivation based on hardiness and social support in female students. Educational Psychology, 14(49), 139-151.‏ (Persian)
Bell, C. A., Kamble, S. V., & Fincham, F. D. (2018). Forgiveness, attributions, and marital quality in U.S. and Indian marriages. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 17(4), 276-293.
Birditt, K. S., Polenick, C. A., & Antonucci, T. C. (2019). Drinking together: Implications of drinking partners for negative marital quality. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 80(2), 167-176.
Blatt, S. J., Quinlan, D. M., Chevron, E. S., McDonald, C., & Zuroff, D. (1982). Dependency and self-criticism: psychological dimensions of depression. Journal of Consultation & Clinical Psychology, 50(1), 113-124.
Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(4), 822-848.
Fincham, F. D., & Way, R. W. (2019). Self-forgiveness and well-being: Does divine forgiveness matter? The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4(2), 275-293.
Fincham, F. D., Beach, S. R., & Davila, J. (2004). Forgiveness and conflict resolution in marriage. Journal of Family Psychology, 18(1), 72-81.
Fincham, F. D., Paleari, F., & Regalia, C. (2002). Forgiveness in marriage: The role of relationship quality, attributions, and empathy. Personal Relationships, 9(1), 27-37.‏
Ghezelseflou, M., Jazayeri, R., Bahrami, F., & Mohamadi, R. (2015). Couple styles and self-compassion as predictors for marital satisfaction. Biannual Journal of Applied Counseling, 5(2), 79-96. (Persian)
Gordon, K. C., & Baucom, D. H. (1998). Understanding betrayals in marriage: A synthesized model of forgiveness. Family Process, 37(4), 425-49.
Hargrave, T. D., & Sells, J. N. (1997). The development of a forgiveness scale. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 23(1), 41-63.
Hashemi Sheikh Shobani, A. S., Amini, F., & Basaknejad, S. (2010). The relationship between forgiveness and psychological well-being with the mediating role of emotions in students. Journal of Psychological Achievements, 17(1), 52-33. (Persian)
Hou, Y., Jiang, F., & Wang, X. (2018). Marital commitment, communication and marital satisfaction: An analysis based on actor–partner interdependence model. International Journal of Psychology, 54(3), 369-376.
Jacobsone, E., Wilson, K., Kurz, S., & Kellum, K. (2018). Examining self-compassion in romantic relationships. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 8(1), 69-73.
Kachadourian, L. K., Fincham, F. D., & Davila, J. (2004). The tendency to forgive in dating and married couples: The role of attachment and relationship satisfaction. Journal of Personal Relationships, 11(3), 373–393.
Khojasteh-Mehr, R., Koraei, A., & Rajabi, Gh. (2010). A study of a proposed model for some precedents and outcomes of forgiveness in marriage. Psychological Studies Journal, 7(4), 155-184. (Persian)
Lawrence, E. M., Rogers, R. G., Zajacova, A., & Wadsworth, T. (2019). Marital happiness, marital status, health, and longevity. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20(5), 1539-1561.
Leary, M. R., Tate, E. B., Adams, C. E., Allen, A. B., & Hancock, J. (2007). Self-compassion and reactions to unpleasant self-relevant events: The implications of treating oneself kindly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(5), 887-904.
Mahmoudpour, A., Farahbakhsh, K., Hosseini, B., & Balochzadeh, E. (2018). Prediction of women’s marital commitment based on their attachment styles, self-compassion and distress tolerance. Journal of Family Counseling & Psychotherapy, 8(1), 65-84. (Persian)
Mernitz, S. E., & Dush, C. (2016). Emotional health across the transition to first and second unions among emerging adults. Journal of Family Psychology30(2), 233.‏
Momeni, F., Shahidi, S., Mootabi, F., & Heydari, M. (2014). Psychometric properties of a Farsi version of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). Contemporary Psychology, Biannual Journal of the Iranian Psychological, 8(2), 27-40. (Persian)
Motahari, Z. S., Behzadpour, S., & Sohrabi, F. (2013). Explanation of marital conflicts based on the sensation seeking and resilience in couples. Journal of Women and family studies, 6(20), 105-122. (Persian)
Mousavi, S. F. (2016). The Predictive Role of Interpersonal Forgiveness in protecting against Marital Instability in Married Couples. International Journal of Psychology (IPA), 10(2), 82-104.‏
Mousavi, S. F. (2017). Dimensions of marital quality: Investigating the Predictors of marital interaction components and conflict resolution Styles. Biannual Journal of Applied Counseling, 7(1), 81-100.‏ (Presian)
Movahedi, A., & Mirza Hosseini, H. (2017). Effect of forgiveness therapy on coping with marital conflicts and quality of life. Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health, 19(special issue), 194-203.‏ (Persian)
Naderi, H., Pourshahryar, H., & Shokri, O. (2015). Mediation of conflict handling styles in the relation between virtues and marital satisfaction. Journal of Family Research, 11(4), 417-438. (Persian)
Neff, K. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identify, 2(2), 85-101.
Neff, K. D., & Beretvas, S. N. (2013). The role of self-compassion in romantic relationships. Self and Identity, 12(1), 78-98.
Neff, K. D., Kirkpatrick, K., & Rude, S. S. (2007). Self-compassion and its link to adaptive psychological functioning. Journal of Research in Personality, 41(1), 139-154.
Nolen-Hoekseman S. (2000). The role of rumination in depressive disorders and mixed anxiety/ depressive symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109(3), 504-511.
Norton, R. (1983). Measuring marital quality: A critical look at the dependent variable. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 45(1), 141-151.
Paleari, F.G., Regalia, C., & Fincham, F. D. (2005). Marital quality, forgiveness, empathy, and rumination: A longitudinal analysis. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31(3), 368–378.
Raes, F., Pommier, E., Neff, K. D., & Van Gucht, D. (2011). Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the self-compassion scale. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 18(3), 250-255.
Rajabi, G., Kordazizpourmohamadi, R., & Taqipour, M. (2017). Evaluating the model of relationship between family of origin and marital satisfaction with mediator role of insecure attachment dimensions in nurses. Journal of Family Research, 13(49), 153-169.‏ (Persian)
Robles, T. F., Slatcher, R. B., Trombello, J. M., & McGinn, M. M. (2014). Marital quality and health: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 140(1), 1-80.
Sadat Javadi, B. S, Afrooz, G., Hosseinian, S., & Gholamali Lavasani, M. (2015). The effectiveness of religious-based communication skills and emotional interactions on marital satisfaction. Iranian Journal of Family Practice, 2(2), 3-14. (Persian)
Sadri, D. E., Sheikholeslami, A., & Tarverdizade, H. (2017). The effect of emotional-focused couple therapy on the infertile couples' quality of relationship, marital conflict, and intimacy.‏ Family Counseling and Psychotherapy, 7(1), 125-145. (Persian)
Safaei Rad, S., & Varastehfar, A. (2013). The relationship between marital conflicts and emotional divorce of women referring to the courts of east tehran in 2011. Journal of Social Research, 6(20), 85-106. (Persian)
Sanaei, B., & Barati, T. (2000). Measuring scales of family and marriage. Tehran, Besath Publications. (Persian)
Schnurman-Crook, A. M. (2001). Marital quality in dual-career couples: impact of role overload and coping resources (Doctoral dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University).
Shahbazi, M., Rajabi, G., Maqami, E., & Jelodari, A. (2015). Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Persian Version of the Self-Compassion Rating Scale-Revised. Psychological Methods and Models, 6(19), 31-46. (Persian)
 Shulman, S., Mashiach, R.T., Levran, E., & Anbar, S. (2006). Conflict resolution patterns and longevity of adolescent romantic couples: A 2-year follow-up study. Journal of Adolescence, 29(4), 575–588.
Shumway, S. T. (1998). The Texas Tech Relationship Interaction Scale (TTRIS): development of a relationship interaction measure for couples (Doctoral dissertation, Texas Tech University).
Sohrabi, A., Jahani, A., Mehrabian, T., Marashian, F., & Zaheri, S. (2016). The relationship between quality of life and stress, and marital satisfaction in females with migraine headaches in Ahvaz city. Journal of Military Caring Sciences, 3(2), 115-122. (Persian)
Thompson, L. Y., Snyder, C. R., Hoffman, L., Michael, S. T., Rasmussen, H. N., & Billings, L. S. (2005). Dispositional forgiveness of self, others, and situations. Journal of Personality, 73(2), 313-359.
Tripathi, N. (2018). A valuation of Abraham Maslow's theory of self-actualization for the enhancement of quality of life. Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing, 9(3), 499-504.
Wood, J. V., Saltzberg, J. A., Neale, J. M., Stone, A. A., & Rachmiel, T. B. (1990). Self-focused attention, coping responses, and distressed mood in everyday life. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 58(6), 1027-1036.
Yip, T. H., & Tse, W. S. (2009). Relationship among dispo­sitional forgiveness of others, interpersonal adjustment and psychological well-being. Personality and Individ­ual Differences, 46(3), 365- 368.
Zahed Babolan, A., Hosseni Shorabeh, M., Peri Kamrani, M., & Dehghan, F. (2015). Compare marital satisfaction, marital conflict and forgiveness in ordinary couples in divorce. Family Pathology, Counseling and Enrichment Journal, 1(2), 74-84. (Persian)
Zare, B., & Jafarabad, S. (2015). The study of marital satisfaction and its determinants on married women and men in Tehran city. Women's Studies Sociological and Psychological, 13(1), 111-140. (Persian)
Zare, H., & Amini, F. (2016). The study of structural relationship among forgiveness, life satisfaction, and general health in students. Social Cognition, 5(1), 148-161.‏ (Persian)
Zeren, F., Gürsoy, E., & Çolak, E. (2019). The quality of life and dyadic adjustment of couples receiving infertility treatment. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 23(1), 117-127.
Volume 12, Issue 2
January 2023
Pages 77-94
  • Receive Date: 08 December 2020
  • Revise Date: 25 February 2023
  • Accept Date: 04 March 2023