Predicting marital instability based on relational maintenance strategies and love schemas in working women

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master student in clinical psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

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

10.22098/jfrs.2025.17473.1245

Abstract

Objective: Marital instability affects couple relationships and family structure. Although widely studied, the roles of love schemas and relational maintenance strategies in predicting marital instability has received less attention. This study aimed to examine the role of relational maintenance strategies and love schemas in marital instability among working women.

Methods: This study utilized a descriptive-correlational research design. The statistical population included married women employed at health centers in Ahvaz. A total of 158 participants were selected through a multi-stage cluster random sampling method during the 2024–2025 years. The research instruments included: Marital Instability Index (Edwards et al., 1987), Relational Maintenance Strategy Measure (Stafford et al., 2000), Love Schema Scale (Singelis et al., 1995). Data analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis with the use of SPSS27 software.

Results: The findings showed that relationship maintenance strategies, including assurance and task sharing, were predictors of marital instability, while love schemas were not able to predict marital instability.

Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that relational maintenance strategies influence marital instability. These results support clinical and educational interventions in the field of couple therapy that emphasize the enhancement of practical and behavioral skills.

Keywords

Journal of Family Relations Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 02 July 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 20 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 12 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 21 June 2025

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