Exploring the Mediating Effect of Defensiveness and Relationship Mindfulness on the Link Between Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Marital Quality

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran.

2 Department Of Counseling, Faculty of educational Science and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

3 Professor of Counseling Department, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

10.22098/jpc.2024.15796.1261

Abstract

Aim: This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between childhood emotional maltreatment and the quality of a marital quality with the mediating role of defensiveness and mindfulness relationship. Method: The current research was descriptive and correlational using the structural equation modeling method. The statistical population of the present study consisted of all the married people of Tehran city in the fall of 2023, and 420 of them were selected from four psychology centers through an online call by the convenience sampling method. The tools of this research include relational-connectivity (R-C S, Galovan, 2021), relationship sabotage scale (RSS, Peel and Caltabiano, 2021), mindfulness relationship measure (RMM, Kimmes et al., 2017) and childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ, Bernstein et al., 2003). The data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling method with AMOS-24. Findings: The results indicated the appropriate fit of the model. The findings indicated that defensiveness and relationship mindfulness could predict the quality of marital relationship indirectly through neglect (p > 0.001). However, defensiveness and mindfulness in relation to emotional abuse did not predict the quality of marital relationships (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Relationship mindfulness and defensiveness play important roles in how childhood neglect impacts relationship quality. These findings underscore the necessity for interventions in marital relationships where childhood emotional neglect has occurred, as these couples may exhibit lower levels of relationship mindfulness and a greater tendency towards defensive behaviors. Therefore, therapy and support programs that target these areas may be particularly beneficial for enhancing relationship quality.

Keywords

Preventive Counseling
Volume 5, Issue 4
December 2024

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