Modeling Marital Adjustment Based on Moral Integrity and Spirituality with the Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Married Women
Keywords:
Marital adjustment model, moral integrity, spirituality, cognitive flexibility, married lifeAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine a model of marital adjustment in married women based on moral integrity and spirituality, with the mediating role of cognitive flexibility. Methods and Materials: The research employed an applied, correlational design. The statistical population included married female students aged 18 to 35 residing in Tehran. A total of 456 participants were selected using convenience sampling based on inclusion criteria and completed online questionnaires. The measurement tools included the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Spanier, 1986), Moral Commitment Scale (Jafari Roshan, 2016), Spirituality Scale (Sharifi et al., 2013), and Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (Dennis & Vander Wal, 2010). Data analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation and Structural Equation Modeling via AMOS 24. Findings: The findings revealed that both moral integrity and spirituality had significant positive direct effects on marital adjustment. Cognitive flexibility also showed a significant direct effect on marital adjustment. Moreover, spirituality had only a direct effect, whereas moral integrity also had a significant indirect effect via cognitive flexibility. The structural model exhibited good fit indices, and the combination of predictors accounted for 59% of the variance in marital adjustment. Conclusion: The study concludes that spirituality, moral integrity, and cognitive flexibility play crucial roles in explaining marital adjustment. These variables, through both direct and indirect pathways, enhance marital satisfaction and stability. Reinforcing these factors in psychological and family counseling interventions can improve couple relationships and overall marital health.
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