Exploring the Mediating Role of Fear of Intimacy in the Interplay of Partner Rejection and Marital Satisfaction among Married Women

Abstract

The study investigated the association between intimate partner rejection and marital satisfaction in a sample of 250 married women (M = 32.38, SD = 3.73; age range: 25-45). This research made use of the Intimate Adult Relationship Questionnaire (IARQ), the Couple Satisfaction Index (CSI), and the Fear of Intimacy Scale (FIS). A correlation between couple rejection, fear of intimacy, and marital satisfaction was hypothesized. Findings suggested a significant positive association between partner rejection and fear of intimacy and a significant negative correlation between partner rejection and marital satisfaction. The mediating effect of fear in intimate relationships, or the correlation between partner rejection and marital pleasure, has been shown via structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings emphasized the link between marital satisfaction, intimacy, and the partner’s rejection. The research points to the need for counsellors to address intimacy fears and strengthen relationships via the use of individualized strategies and focused communication treatments.