Predicting Marital Intimacy Based on Mindfulness with the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in Married Women

Ava Parvaresh; Sanaz Pakravan

doi:10.63053/ijhes.137

Authors

Ava Parvaresh Master of Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Department of Psychology, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
Sanaz Pakravan M.Sc. student in clinical psychology, Faculty of Welfare and Social Health Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63053/ijhes.137

Keywords:

Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, Marital Intimacy

Abstract

Marital intimacy is a significant factor in strengthening couple relationships. Given its importance, the present study aimed to predict marital intimacy based on mindfulness with the mediating role of self-compassion in married women. This descriptive correlational research was conducted using structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of married women in Rasht in 2022. A total of 280 married women participated in the study through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Marital Intimacy Questionnaire, the short form of the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, and the Self-Compassion Scale. SPSS and SmartPLS software were used for data analysis. The results showed that the proposed model had a good fit. The findings indicated that the direct effects of mindfulness on marital intimacy (β = 0.23), self-compassion on marital intimacy (β = 0.16), and mindfulness on self-compassion (β = 0.66) were all statistically significant. Additionally, the indirect effect of mindfulness on marital intimacy through self-compassion (β = 0.10) was also significant. Therefore, self-compassion played a mediating role in the relationship between mindfulness and marital intimacy. Overall, the results demonstrated that mindfulness influences marital intimacy both directly and indirectly through self-compassion. Based on these findings, implementing educational and therapeutic programs focusing on mindfulness and self-compassion is recommended to enhance marital intimacy.

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