Early Maladaptive Schemas and Marital Satisfaction as Predictors of Marital Commitment

Abstract

Introduction: The present study was conducted to predict the degree of marital commitment based on early maladaptive schemas and marital satisfaction.Method: The present descriptive correlational study used convenience sampling to select 454 subjects (including 230 women and 224 men) from the entire population of couples who had been married for one to ten years and were residing in Tehran, Iran. The subjects completed the ENRICH Couple Scales and the Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-Sf2) along with the Dimensions of Commitment Inventory (DCI). The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression.Results: The results showed a significant positive relationship between early maladaptive schemas and marital commitment. Among the five components of early maladaptive schemas, impaired autonomy and performance, impaired limits and over-vigilance/inhibition (P<0.01), could predict marital commitment. Moreover, a significant positive relationship was observed between marital commitment and marital satisfaction, and of the components of the latter, conflict resolution and idealistic distortion (P<0.01), could predict marital commitment. Overall, marital commitment could be predicted by components of marital satisfaction (24% of the variance) and also early maladaptive schemas (13% of the variance)Conclusion: Based on the findings, the degree of marital satisfaction and consequently marital commitment are recommended to be enhanced through the identification and modification of early maladaptive schemas along with the use of couple therapy and teaching problem-solving skills to couples so as to prevent potential extramarital relationships or divorce.