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 Table of Contents  
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2017  |  Volume : 3  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 157-162

Prediction couple's marital satisfaction based on emotion regulation


1 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan, Isfahan, Iran

Date of Web Publication29-Nov-2017

Correspondence Address:
Mrs. Ensieh Talighi
Department of Psychology, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan
Iran
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/2395-2296.204120

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  Abstract 


AIM: This study aimed to predict the share of emotional adjustment and its components in marital satisfaction.
METHODS: In this study, were randomly selected 100 couples (200 persons) of the couples Kashan and answered to emotion regulation questionnaire of Graz and Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire. Given that the study was descriptive to test the hypotheses were used the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression.
RESULTS: The results showed that emotion regulation factors other than a lack of emotional awareness have a significant negative relationship with marital satisfaction (P > 0.01) and impulse control problems, lack of emotional awareness, and lack of emotional clarity nice to be able to predict marital satisfaction (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Regarding the relationship of emotional regulation and its components with marital satisfaction, organizations, and family therapy clinics can take advantage of this variable in improving marital satisfaction and contribute to better human relations.

Keywords: Couple, emotion regulation, marital satisfaction


How to cite this article:
Omidi A, Talighi E. Prediction couple's marital satisfaction based on emotion regulation. Int J Educ Psychol Res 2017;3:157-62

How to cite this URL:
Omidi A, Talighi E. Prediction couple's marital satisfaction based on emotion regulation. Int J Educ Psychol Res [serial online] 2017 [cited 2024 Mar 28];3:157-62. Available from: https://www.ijeprjournal.org/text.asp?2017/3/3/157/204120




  Introduction Top


Marital satisfaction is defined as the couple perception amount from that its partner to meet their needs and desires.[1] It seems that it is, directly and indirectly, have related to the stability of the family unit and a better quality of life. While it is recognized marriage dissatisfaction leads to stress, anxiety, and even lead to the dissolution of the family unit.[2] Several studies have supported the proposition that a couples satisfactory relationship to improve their mental and physical health.[3]

Among all spheres of life, the most stable emotional challenges are maybe marriage and family relations,[4] as a result it is not surprising that theoretical and empirical studies have examined the factors that lead to satisfaction from close intimate relationships.

One of the main objectives of the research about the relationship between couples is predicting the marital satisfaction by identifying the factors that influence the quality of interaction between couples.[5] It is known that there is a relationship between marital satisfaction and personality factors such as openness and conscientiousness,[1] neuroticism,[2] identity of maturation,[6] communication irrational beliefs,[7] need to control,[8] emotional skills,[4] streak of hostilities in one of the couple,[9] and demographic variables such as age and education,[10] amount of income,[11] and attachment style.[12]

Along with marital satisfaction, one of the factors that are associated with a couple of problems is setting and emotional control. Emotional adjustment is the process of starting, maintaining, modification or variation in the incidence, severity, and persistence of inner feelings and emotions associated with psychosocial and physical processes in accomplish individual goals.[13] In fact, emotion regulation is not only emotional suppression but also includes processes for monitoring and changing the emotional experiences of the person.[14] With regard to emotional regulation refers to the regulation of emotional processes to compare performance [15] and at the same time is a learned behavior which must be imprinted in person from of childhood, parents can by providing nonformal educational environment cause (strengthen the control of excitement) and interest of children to solve problems (conflict-causing) through ability to evaluate, monitor and targeted.[16] This can be effective in couples during interpersonal problems. Also concluded that interactions and parents' education plays an important role in predicting children's emotional self-regulated learning. This, in turn, is associated with the use of emotional self-regulation behavior [16] and can help a person to use the best strategy to solve interpersonal conflicts especially couples.

The human need to many skills for social life, one of these skills is an emotional regulation skill. Understanding your feelings and emotions and how to set and correct expression of emotions, how to create a living and advancement in life, skill, and ability to make decisions, creative thinking and innovative thinking, skills of friendly relations, self-knowledge and awareness of their strengths and weaknesses, problem-solving ability, ability to cope with stress, understanding the feelings and emotions of others, coping with groups pressure and social adjustment are the most important issues in life.

Lack of these skills causes person in the face of stress use in effective and maladaptive behaviors. Besides the evidence about the effectiveness of emotion regulation skills for marital satisfaction, abundant evidence shows that couples in modern societies to establish hand manage their relationships with their husbands faced with numerous and inclusive problems. It is clear that defects in emotional skills of wives along with other factors affect their common life adversely. Research evidence has shown that emotional skills increase the ability to withstand the life stress and solve the daily problems and plays an important role in the compatibility and continuity of the marital relationship. The concept of emotional intelligence shows why two people with the same intelligence quotient may be achieved vastly different degrees of success in life.[17] This study aimed to predict the share of emotional adjustment and its components in marital satisfaction.

A qualitative study conducted by Helmeke and Sprenkle (2000) achieved such a result: Altering and fateful moments in couple therapy, it's moments that person experiences his individuality, this moment in addition to being imbued with hope and openness references problems shape and form significantly. It is worth noting that before the start of such moments in treatment, therapists should identify and review “key emotional issues” and experienced by each spouse. William James (1998) considered emotions as physiological reaction and adaptive behavioral that is called directly by the important positions. In this view, emotions are considered as “reactive tendencies.”[18] In an evolutionary perspective, emotion is the legacy that has remained for us from the first humans and hence, because of its special functions still remains in humankind. Emotion helps to humans to adaptive respond to problems and opportunities That happen in life.[19] Almost all the new theories that have been proposed in the area of emotion emphasize its adaptation and positive role in human behavior.[20]


  Methods Top


The study was descriptive and correlational. In analyzing the data, after the implementation of arrangements for descriptive data (mean, standard deviation), to investigate the relationship between marital satisfaction and emotion regulation and predicted marital satisfaction using the components of emotional regulation were used Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis.

Population, sample, and sampling methods

The population of this study was all couples in Kashan during 1393 that 100 couples (100 female, 100 male) were selected using multi-stage random sampling method from five districts in the city of Kashan. The inclusion criteria for the study were living with a spouse with at least starting from 5 years ago and living together already. After selecting the sample of the study, before running questionnaire, was given the participants information about the subject of research as far as on results is not affected and after ensure the voluntary attendance and after necessary explanations, the couple completed the two forms and in secret put in the box of completed questionnaires, thus the greatest efforts was performed to reduce bias.

Research instrument

Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire

The questionnaire consisted of 115 questions with a 5-point scale which measure marital satisfaction in the form of 12 subscale. Each of the 11 scale of the questionnaire has 10 questions, and another scale in the name of the distortion of the ideal has five questions. High scores on this questionnaire is a sign of satisfaction, and low score indicates dissatisfaction of the marital relationship.[21] This scale has been used in many studies and has demonstrated good reliability and validity. In research of Vadatniya (2005) for this scale Cronbach's alpha was obtained 0.86 and renewed reliability coefficient was obtained 0.86. Correlation with 1-point scale of life satisfaction was for men 0.71 and women 0.77. Correlation with family satisfaction scale (scores of couples) was 0.71 and (individual score) was 0.66.[21]

Emotion regulation questionnaire

In this study, emotion regulation was measured with emotional adjustment questionnaire of 21 questions. The questionnaire was made in 2004 by Graz and with 36 items is a multidimensional self-report questionnaire that is assessed patterns of emotional regulation. This questionnaire is composed of six scales: The denial of emotional responses, difficulty in engaging in behaviors leading up to the goal, impulse control problems, lack of emotional awareness, restrictions on the path to emotional regulation and a lack of emotional clarity. This questionnaire has very good internal consistency (0.93), and the reliability of its subscales with Cronbach's alpha for each subscale is more than 0.80, and it is very important. Aminian (2009)[22] was calculated the reliability of the questionnaire by Cronbach's that was obtained for the whole questionnaire 0.86 and 0.80 respectively which indicates acceptable coefficients for mentioned questionnaire. Reliability of questionnaire of emotion regulation fluctuates between 0.54 and 0.86.[23]

Statistical methods

In analyzing the data, after the implementation of arrangements for descriptive data (mean, standard deviation), to investigate the relationship between marital satisfaction and emotion regulation and predicted marital satisfaction using the components of emotional regulation were used Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. Research statistical operations were analyzed using IBM statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS Version 20).


  Results Top


The mean age of the sample is 32.70 years with standard deviation 5.77. Twenty-six members of the sample were high school graduates. Seventy-one persons were students, and 64 persons had undergraduate degrees. Thirty-nine people had master's degrees and higher. Descriptive findings the couple's marital satisfaction and emotional adjustment factors are presented according to sex in [Table 1].
Table 1: The average and standard deviation of marital satisfaction and emotional adjustment factors based on sex

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There is a significant difference between women and their partners in marital satisfaction, error in partnership in behaviors leading to the goal, lack of emotional awareness, and limitations on access to emotion regulation strategies (P < 0.05). Marital satisfaction and lack of emotional awareness of men is less than their wives. Component scores of error in partnership in behaviors leading up to the goal and limitations on access to emotion regulation strategies in men are more than their wives.

In [Table 2], the mean and standard deviation of marital satisfaction and emotion regulation components, have been brought generally and are presented Pearson correlation coefficient of scales under study.
Table 2: Mean and standard deviation and correlation coefficient of marital satisfaction and emotional adjustment component

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The average marital satisfaction is 43.86, and its standard deviation is equal to 10.60. The highest among the components of emotional regulation is to limitations on access to emotion regulation strategies with 18.26, and the lowest average is for the lack of emotional clarity with 10.62. There is a significant negative relationship between marital satisfaction with the components of the rejection of emotional responses, error in partnership in behaviors leading up to the goal, impulse control problems, limitations on access to emotion regulation strategies and a lack of emotional clarity (P < 0.01). This means that with the high scores of emotional factors, the scores of marital satisfaction will be lower. To check the components of emotional regulation on marital satisfaction was used of simultaneous regression. In this model were entered the emotional component as predictor variables and marital satisfaction as criterion variables. The results of the regression model are shown in [Table 3].
Table 3: Regression models predict marital satisfaction based on components of emotional regulation

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Regression model predicted marital satisfaction based on emotional adjustment component is meaningful with F = 8.25 at the level of P < 0.01. According to the adjusted coefficient of determination, 21% of the variance in marital satisfaction scores are affected by components of emotional regulation. Standardized regression coefficient and its significance level is given in [Table 4].
Table 4: Regression coefficients components of emotional regulation on marital satisfaction

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Components of impulse control problems, lack of emotional awareness and lack of emotional clarity can predict marital satisfaction at the level of P < 0.05. The highest regression coefficient related to the impulse control problems with the −0.03 and lowest regression coefficient related to the rejection of emotional responses with the 0.02.


  Discussion and Conclusion Top


The aim of this study was to predict the couple's marital satisfaction is based on emotion regulation. The results show that there is a significant negative relationship between marital satisfaction with the components of the rejection of emotional responses, error in partnership in behaviors leading up to the goal, impulse control problems, limitations on access to emotion regulation strategies, and a lack of emotional clarity (P < 0.01). This means that with high emotional component scores will be lower scores of marital satisfaction. However, it can be said that the findings of research are consistent partially with the findings of researchers who believe that emotion regulation is required to some activate cognitive processes and variety of cognitive processes lead to different and separate emotion regulation strategies. Effective regulation of emotion able to reduces strongly negative emotional responses to distressing situations.[19] As [Table 4] shows, components of impulse control problems, lack of emotional awareness and lack of emotional clarity are able to predict marital satisfaction at the level of P < 0.05 and the highest regression coefficient related to the impulse control problems with the −0.03 and lowest regression coefficient related to the rejection of emotional responses with the 0.02. Emotion regulation is not emotional suppression, but one should not always be in a state of the quiet of emotional arousal. Instead, emotional regulation includes supervisory processes and change a person's emotional experiences.[14] Emotions are in high quality in this way which can cause a positive or negative reaction in people. If they are proportionate to situations and conditions reactions are positive, otherwise reactions are negative. Thus, when emotions are severe or prolonged or do not comply with the conditions, set-up is necessary. Because the absence of emotional regulation and fast response in the form of moment long-term created many problems in interpersonal relationships, especially to couples and over time, lead to the couple's marital dissatisfaction and icy relations.[18] However, the emotional control allows one to think and act better against environmental stimuli and build stronger interpersonal relationships especially to his own wife. Confronting, as a response to the excitement is affected emotional intelligence; people who have high emotional intelligence their emotional states understand and evaluate correctly and know when and how to express their feelings and could regulate their mood effectively. These capabilities make the successful confronting by certain currents. The flow includes detailed knowledge of excitement and emotions resolution, however emotional knowledge helps to emotion regulation. The ability of emotion regulation leads to preservation and improvement of the people's mood. People who do not have the ability to regulate emotions are more likely to be influenced by environmental factors and do not have good impulse control. Because the impulse control is ability to resistor delay the drives, impulses or temptation to act, as well as acceptance of aggressive impulses, and self-management, anger control, high frustration tolerance, ability to problems control and restraint and since the in common life, in the face of difficulties, feelings of frustration and humiliation, etc., emotions rather than reason and logic to overcome the wives, therefore, cognition and emotions guide is very important to maintain marital relations. According to conducted researches on the relationship between spouses, it seems that emotional adjustment factors can contribute to marital satisfaction. Couples intimate relationships are required communication skills; such as attention to the issues from the perspective of their husband, ability to empathetic understand what their husbands have experienced as well as being sensitive and aware of her needs.[18] Couples who have higher consciousness and know how their emotions express toward others, especially their husbands and will prevent many of the conflicts and misunderstandings in their sexual relationships. In regard to marital satisfaction can be expected that with increasing levels of satisfaction and mental health reduced many of the problems of mental, emotional, and social. The results of this study are consistent with findings of Ascher et al., Hiunand et al., Dunham, Mirgain and Cordova, Cordova et al., Yelsma and Sherilyn.[24],[25],[26],[27],[28]

Furthermore, research of Olson showed that consent of the marriage correlated with the consent of family life 70% and with life satisfaction 67%. In the other words, different researchers have tried from different aspects of sociology, anthropology, psychology, etc., to offer with new solutions to prepare more areas of continuity and cohesion of the family. Because of the emotional regulation especially impulse control of individuals in family and couple relationships play an important role in people's integrity and marital satisfaction, therefore, marital satisfaction has been the subject of numerous research but little research has been conducted on the characteristics of emotion regulation.[29]

In explaining findings of this study can be said whatever couples more control over their emotions in terms of emotional regulation, they experience strength and more satisfying in marital relationships. In relations between spouses, if the person can manage his feelings in terms of emotional regulation, as a result in relationship with his wife are experienced relationship problem sand fewer bad feelings, so can be expected high marital satisfaction. In the other words, people who are in trouble because of lack of impulse control or familiarity with emotions and set them up and make the perfect solution to create excitement and lack of control in their relationships with their husband, mutually their wives are also experiencing a sense of dissatisfaction and over time goes down subsequent marital satisfaction.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
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    Tables

  [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4]


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