The Multiple Relationship of Reflective Functioning, Stress Coping Strategies, and Perceived Social Support with Marital Happiness among Married Individuals
Keywords:
perceived social support, coping strategies, reflective functions, Marital happinessAbstract
Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the role of reflective functioning, stress coping strategies, and perceived social support in predicting marital happiness among married individuals.
Methods and Materials: This study employed a descriptive correlational design. The statistical population included married individuals residing in Isfahan during the third quarter of 2024. A total of 170 participants were selected using a convenience sampling method. They completed the Marital Happiness Questionnaire by Azrin (1973), the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Coping Styles Questionnaire (CSQ). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26 through correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis.
Findings: The results of the correlation analysis indicated that reflective functioning, stress coping strategies, and perceived social support were significantly associated with marital happiness (p < .05). The results of the regression analysis further revealed that, in order of strength, emotion-focused coping strategies, perceived social support, certainty in reflective functioning, uncertainty in reflective functioning, and again emotion-focused coping strategies were predictors of marital happiness among married individuals (p < .05).
Conclusion: Thus, professionals in the field of family studies should focus on enhancing reflective functioning, adaptive coping strategies, and perceived social support in order to promote marital happiness among couples.
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