Emotional Divorce Research Articles

The assessment of the related factors of emotional divorce among Iranian people during the Covid-19 pandemic: a descriptive study

BackgroundWhen a couple experiences emotional divorce, it can lead to boredom, a decrease in their connection, feelings of sadness and despair, and reduced reliance on one another. These consequences can have a lasting impact on the entire family. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the affecting related factors of emotional divorce among Iranian people during the Covid19 pandemic.MethodsA descriptive-analytical study was performed on 900 men and women from 22 districts of Tehran who were selected by the available sampling methods from March to October 2021. Data collection tools are Guttmann demographic and Emotional Divorce Questionnaires. The Questionnaires were completed by the participants of the study. R 4.0.2 software was used to analyze the data, in addition, an independent t-test and chi-square were used to compare the subjects in terms of emotional divorce. Also, the multiple logistic regression method was used to determine the independent factors affecting emotional divorce.ResultsThe results showed that the related factors of emotional divorce include age, marriage rank, and duration of the marriage, choosing the spouse by parents, the education level of the couple, the job of the couple, infection of Covid19, and having disputes before Covid19 infection outbreak.ConclusionEmotional divorce is considered as a social harm which could be the prelude to legal divorce. Therefore, studying affecting factors in any society can pave the way for culture-based interventions to reduce such social harms.

Exploring the challenges of men who married to adolescent girls in Western Iran: A qualitative study.

Men face many challenges in their lives with adolescent girls that need to be identified. No research has been conducted in this field in Iran. This research aimed to explore the challenges of men married to adolescent girls in western Iran using a qualitative approach. This research was conducted using qualitative methods and a conventional content analysis approach. Participants were 28 men in western Iran who had the experience of marrying girls under 18 years of age. Semi-structured interviews were used both face-to-face and over the phone to collect data. Also, snowballing and purposeful sampling were used to select the participants. The data were also analysed using Granheim and Lundman's approach. From the data analysis, 1 category, 9 subcategories, and 103 primary codes were obtained. The main category was lack of empathy and consensus, which includes the subcategories of sexual dissatisfaction, girls' dependence on the family, inability to fulfill the roles of a wife, not being understood in life, remaining in the world of childhood, emotional divorce, limiting progress and preventing the achievement of goals, betrayal, and chaotic life. Young couples problems can be solved by measures such as giving sex education and teaching skills necessary for married life, such as problem solving skills and anger control, to adolescent men and girls, as well as training families on how to properly support adolescent couples.

Infertility-related stress and its relationship with emotional divorce among Iranian infertile people

BackgroundInfertility affects different aspects of couples’ lives, so it may cause problems in couples’ emotional relationships by increasing marital conflicts. This study aimed to determine Infertility-related stress and its relationship with emotional divorce among Iranian infertile people.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional observational study on 200 infertile people. The research environment was one of the well-equipped infertility centers in Tehran, Iran. Continuous sampling was employed. The data collection tools included a general information form, the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI), and the Emotional Divorce Scale (EDS).ResultsThe findings revealed a significant direct relationship between infertility-related stress and all its subscales with emotional divorce in both infertile women and men. In infertile women, the most concern was the need for parenthood, while the lowest concerns were the relationship and sexual concerns. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that social and relationship concerns predicted 44% of emotional divorce, with social concern being the more influential factor. In infertile men, the need for parenthood was the most significant concern, while relationship and social concerns were less prominent. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that relationship concern predicted 50% of emotional divorce in infertile men. In both infertile men and women, social and relationship concerns explained 45% of the variance in emotional divorce. Among these two variables, relationship concern had a more impact in predicting emotional divorce. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between women and men regarding infertility-related stress and its subscales, except for sexual concern.ConclusionThe study highlights the importance of the need for parenthood as a main concern among infertile individuals. Increased infertility-related stress and its subscales contribute to higher levels of emotional divorce among this population. Additionally, relationship concern was the lowest concern in infertile people. But it significantly predicts emotional divorce among infertile individuals.

Predictive Ability of Family Communication ‎Patterns and Life Style in Emotional Divorce ‎among Working Married Women

Abstract: The study aimed to identify the predictability of ‎family communication and lifestyle patterns in emotional ‎divorce among working married women. The study sample ‎consisted of 279 female employees at Jadara and Irbid private ‎universities during the second semester of the academic year ‎‎2020-2021. The family communication pattern scale, the ‎lifestyle scale and the emotional divorce scale were developed ‎by their researcher. The semantic validity and reliability of the ‎tools were checked‏.‏‎ The results showed that 34.10% of the ‎emotional divorce scale explained the overall predictive ‎variables, 28.90% explained the social dimension, 14.80% ‎explained the economic dimension, 14.60% explained the ‎romantic dimension and 37.00% explained the psychological ‎dimension. The study concluded with a set of ‎recommendations, most important of which is examining the ‎level of wives' possession of marital communication patterns ‎and its relationship with other variables such as positive ‎psychology, psychological well-being, psychological ‎satisfaction and emotional divorce between spouses.‎ ‎(Keywords: Family Communication Patterns, Lifestyle, ‎Emotional Divorce, Female Married Employee, Predictive ‎Ability)‎

Emotional Divorce and Its Relation to Demographic Variables

Emotional Divorce and Its Relation to Demographic Variables

Relationship between emotional divorce and alexithymia among married women in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundEmotional divorce occurs when a couple continues to live together due to necessity and coercion but they do not have a positive or constructive relationship, which negatively affects the stability of married life. Due to the low social acceptance of a formal divorce in the Saudi society, emotional divorce is common in several families. The rigidity of feelings and emotions within the family and the inability to express them may indicate the presence of alexithymia, which could result in the collapse of the family system and place the people involved at risk of mental health problems such as depression. Therefore, it is important to determine the prevalence of emotional divorce among married women in Saudi Arabia and to examine the relationship between emotional divorce and alexithymia.MethodsData were collected from 305 married women in Saudi Arabia (Mage = 33.24 years; SDage = 4.87 years), using the Emotional Divorce Scale and the Alexithymia Scale.ResultsResults revealed that 78.36% of the participants experienced moderate to severe levels of emotional divorce. Working women, those who had been married for more than ten years, and those with five or more children exhibited a higher incidence of emotional divorce as compared to their counterparts. A linear regression analysis indicated that alexithymia was significantly associated with emotional divorce in this sample.ConclusionThese results suggest the need for examining the negative consequences of emotional divorce on the family and society. Additionally, it is important to educate young individuals of marriageable age about the nature of married life, and ways to deal with problems that occur. Finally, couples should be encouraged to express their positive and negative emotions with their spouse to build the marital relationship, and achieve compatibility and marital satisfaction.

Separate souls under one roof: Jordanian women's perspectives of emotional divorce

Emotional Divorce (ED) is a relatively new concept that has garnered global attention as an unrecognized form of separation and a precursor to formal divorce. To gain a deeper understanding of Jordanian women's experience with ED, a descriptive qualitative approach was used. A purposive sample and snowballing were used to collect data from 17 married Muslim women over the age of 20 years from the north of Jordan between March and May 2021. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, face-to-face or video calls. Women were asked about the nature of their current relationship with their husbands, experiences of ED and its impacts on their health and sexual well-being. The analysis revealed several themes and sub-themes. Based on the findings, it can be inferred that the women are experiencing ED, characterized by a sense of disconnection and separation from their husbands, as evidenced by physical distance, emotional silence, and lack of intimacy. The impact of this emotional distance extends beyond the emotional realm, affecting their physical, psychological, social, and sexual well-being. Despite the pain and the difficulties they endure, women carefully weighed their options, including the risks of legal divorce, and chose to stay in their marriages for the sake of their children and of avoiding the social stigma attached to divorce.

Emotional divorce among married employees

Emotional divorce is a type of negative communication and the emotional and psychological isolation between marriage people. As a result, their life become as a source of psychological problems. However, they prefer to live alone under one roof, and each of them has its own world far from each other, preferring. The unreal life form without access to an official divorce because of the fear of the the children’s future or the criticism of the society.While the married life continues between them painfully. The objectives of the current research are to identify the level of emotional divorce among married employees in Zakho district in general, and the significance of the differences in that according to the variables: gender, number of years of marriage, educational achievement, and economic status. To achieve the objectives of the research, a measure of emotional divorce was prepared, to fit the requirements of the recent research and the nature of the sample. It consist of (42) items, and the psychometric properties of it have been extracted. Then it was applied to the sample that consisted of (700) couples of employees who were selected among the married couples, then distributed over nine departments in Zakho district in Dohuk governorate. After analyzing the data by using appropriate statistical; the results showed that the level of emotional divorce in general is low, and there are no significant differences in the level of emotional divorce due to the variables of gender, years of marriage, economic status or educational achievement. Depending on the results, a set of recommendations and suggestions were developed.

The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on experiential avoidance and emotional expression of women involved in emotional divorce

The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on experiential avoidance and emotional expression of women involved in emotional divorce

The effectiveness of reality therapy on aggression, loneliness and emotional divorce in married women with cyberspace dependency

The effectiveness of reality therapy on aggression, loneliness and emotional divorce in married women with cyberspace dependency

The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy on Emotional Divorce and Self-efficacy of Working Couples

Introduction: Emotional divorce happens when a man and a woman live coldly together but do not request a legal divorce. So the aim of this study is to investigate the impact of acceptance and commitment group therapy (ACT) on emotional divorce and self-efficacy of couples.
 Methods: This was a experimental study with a control group. The statistical population consisted of 338 married people working in an industrial factory in Bu Ali town of Hamedan province in 2020. After distributing an emotional divorce questionnaire, authors selected 60 people with emotional divorce problems. Then, 40 people who had obtained average scores in the self-efficacy questionnaire were selected as the sample and were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received acceptance and commitment-based treatment for 8 weeks, but the control group did not receive any intervention. Research instruments were Gottman's Emotional Divorce Questionnaire (1994) as well as self-efficacy questionnaire of Scherer et al., (1982) used as a pre-test-post-test. SPSS version 23 software was used for data analysis Shapiro-Wilk test was used to evaluate the normality of the distribution of the variables. According to the level of significance (P <0.05) of the variables of emotional divorce and self-efficacy, the normality of the distribution of scores in the experimental and control groups is confirmed. Leven's test was used to examine the presumption of variances' equality of the two groups in the population.
 Results: The results of analysis of covariance showed that acceptance and commitment group treatment reduced the scores of emotional divorce (p <0.05) and increased self-efficacy (p <0.05) in the experimental group compared to the control group in the post-test phase. The results of Leven test for the emotional divorce variable (P = 0.414, F = 0.682) and self-efficacy variable (P = 0.601, F = 0.278) confirmed variances' equality
 Conclusions: Acceptance and commitment group therapy was able to significantly reduce emotional divorce and increase self-efficacy compared to the control group. Therefore, it is possible to prevent acceptance and commitment therapy to reduce emotional divorce and prevent psychological and social damage.

Association between Emotional Divorce, Mother’s Psychological Hardiness and Child’s Psychological Wellbeing

Association between Emotional Divorce, Mother’s Psychological Hardiness and Child’s Psychological Wellbeing

The mediating role of sexual satisfaction in the relationship between personality traits and emotional divorce in men

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of sexual satisfaction in the relationship between personality traits and emotional divorce in men. Method: The current research was correlational and descriptive. The statistical population of this research was the men of Tehran in 2022-23. In this study, 263 married men of Tehran were selected as the statistical sample of the research. The measurement tools include Larson's Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (1998), Gottman's Emotional Divorce Questionnaire (1998) and the short form of the NEO Questionnaire. Finally, the data collected through the questionnaire was analyzed using the structural equation model and SPSS and AMOS software. Results: The research findings showed that the research model had a good fit and all paths in the research model had significant coefficients. The results of the statistical analysis of the data collected through the questionnaire showed that the mediating role of the marital satisfaction variable in the relationship between personality traits and emotional divorce is significant at the 0.01 level (P < 0.01). Conclusion: In general, based on the findings in the field of emotional divorce, personality characteristics and sexual satisfaction of couples, it can be said that these three variables are related to each other. Examining the relationship between these three in the form of a structural equation model showed that personality traits can help predict emotional divorce and better examine the state of the marital relationship. Therefore, by considering marital satisfaction as a mediating variable, since according to the results obtained in this research, it can strengthen the existing relationship between personality traits and emotional divorce, we can predict emotional divorce with more accuracy and confidence. Therefore, the result obtained from this research can be useful in examining couples' relationships.

Compilation of the structural model of emotional divorce based on the dark triple traits of personality and conflict resolution styles

Objective: The present research was conducted in order to model structural equations of emotional divorce based on dark personality traits and conflict resolution styles. Methods and Materials: The study used descriptive-correlational method based on structural equations. The statistical population of this research consisted of all married women in the age group of 25-50 years of Tehran Azad University, Yadgar Imam (RA), Abol Fattouh Razi and North Tehran units in the first half of 2021, which was available online through the sampling method. (due to the spread of the corona virus) were chosen. The research tools were Gottman's (1995) emotional divorce questionnaire, Johnson and Webster's (2010) dark personality triangle, and Rahim's (1983) conflict resolution styles. Analyzes were done using SPSS and AMOS software. Findings: The results showed that there is a significant negative and positive relationship between constructive conflict resolution style (β=0.188) and non-constructive conflict resolution style (β=0.170) with emotional divorce, respectively (p<0.01). A significant positive relationship is observed between Machiavellianism trait and emotional divorce (β=0.173). Also, a significant positive relationship was found between antisocial trait (β=-0.140) and narcissism (β=-0.153) with emotional divorce (p<0.01). Conclusion: Dark traits and constructive conflict resolution styles can predict emotional divorce in addition to having a direct effect on emotional divorce

The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on experiential avoidance and emotional expression of women involved in emotional divorce

Background and Aim: Divorce is one of the most important family traumas that can have vulnerable effects on the individual and the society. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on experiential avoidance and emotional expression of women involved in emotional divorce. Methods: The current research method was conducted as a semi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design along with a control group with a follow-up period. The statistical population included all the women eligible for emotional divorce in Tehran who referred to the Atiyeh Psychology Clinic in 2022, from which 30 people were selected as available and randomly selected and in the experimental group (15 people) and witnesses (15 people) were replaced. The data were collected using Barati and Sanai's Marital Conflicts Questionnaire (1999), Gutman's Emotional Divorce Questionnaire (2008), Bund et al.'s Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (2007) and King and Emmons' Emotional Expression Questionnaire (1990) in the early stages. The test, post-test and follow-up have been obtained. Cognitive-behavioral therapy protocol was performed in 8 sessions (one session per week) for 90 minutes. To analyze the results, repeated measurement variance analysis method and SPSS.22 software were used. Results: The results indicated that cognitive-behavioral therapy was effective in reducing experiential avoidance and emotional expression of women involved in emotional divorce, and this effect was permanent until the follow-up period. Conclusion: It can be concluded that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective on experiential avoidance and emotional expression of women involved in emotional divorce and this treatment can be used to reduce the problems of women involved in emotional divorce.

Comparing the effectiveness of Bowen's family-based approach and Minuchin’s structural family therapeutic approach on improving communication patterns and reducing marital conflicts in women suffering from emotional divorce

Aim: Emotional divorce as a social harm is the first step in the divorce process and indicates the severity of marital conflicts originating from numerous factors such as the malfunctioning of couples' communication patterns. Hence, the present study aimed at comparing the effectiveness of Bowen's family-based approach and Minuchin’s structural family therapeutic approach on improving communication patterns and reducing marital conflicts in women suffering from emotional divorce. Method: The quasi-experimental research method was based on pretest-posttest along with a control group. The population included all the women suffering from marital conflicts referring to the Central Welfare Organization of Isfahan in the first three months of the year 1399. After sifting through the subjects, 45 samples were selected by simple random sampling and were categorized into two experimental and control groups. The tools applied in the research were the scale of communication patterns and marital conflicts. The samples of the experimental group attended the Bowen's and Minuchin’s family therapeutic training programs, but the control group did not receive any particular training. Finally, the data were analyzed at two levels of descriptive statistics (the Mean and the Standard Deviation) and inferential statistics (the analysis of Covariance and the analysis of Variance with multivariable frequent measuring) using SPSS software. Results: Findings revealed that both Bowen's and Minuchin’s therapeutic approaches can be effective on communication patterns and marital conflicts. In addition, a significant difference was noticed between the effectiveness of the two experimental groups (Bowen’s and Minuchin’s) on communication patterns of women suffering from emotional divorce, and the comparison of means suggested that family and structural therapy of Minuchin performed better. And finally, no significant difference was noticed between the effectiveness of the two experimental groups (Bowen’s and Minuchin’s) on marital conflicts in women suffering from emotional divorce, and only after lessening relationship with relatives, the structural effectiveness of Minuchin's approach proved to be better. Conclusions: Therefore, Bowen’s and Minuchin’s therapeutic approaches can both be helpful in reducing the rate of marital conflicts and improving the communication patterns of women suffering from emotional divorce, and consequently, reducing emotional divorce and increasing marital adjustments.

The structural model of emotional divorce based on the dark triad traits of personality and conflict resolution styles with the mediation of marital boredom

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim of modeling the structural equations of emotional divorce based on dark personality traits and conflict resolution styles with the mediation of marital dissatisfaction. Method: The research method was descriptive correlation type based on structural equations. The statistical population of this research consisted of all married women in the age group of 25-50 years of Tehran Azad University, Yadgar Imam (RA), Abol Fattouh Razi (Mothers) and North Tehran units in the first half of 2021, which was available online through the sampling method. (due to the spread of the corona virus) were chosen. The research tools were Gottman's Emotional Divorce Questionnaire (1994), Dark Triangle of Personality Johnson and Webster (2010), Rahim's Conflict Resolution Styles (1983) and Pines Marital Boredom (1996). Analyzes were done using SPSS and AMOS software. Result: The results of structural equation modeling showed that the assumed research model fits the experimental data (RMSEA=0.063). A significant relationship was observed between Machiavellian trait and emotional divorce (β=0.149) and between constructive style (β=0.441) and non-constructive style (β=0.264) with emotional divorce. The coefficient of the indirect path of marital boredom was significant in the relationship between narcissistic trait (P = 0.007) and constructive conflict resolution styles (P = 0.043) with the dependent variable of emotional divorce, but the mediating role of marital boredom in the relationship between non- constructive was not confirmed by emotional divorce (P = 0.536). Conclusion: Dark traits and constructive conflict resolution styles, in addition to having a direct effect on emotional divorce, can indirectly affect marital boredom.

The effectiveness of Gottman approach intervention on marital burnout, emotional divorce and emotional regulation of conflicted couples

The aim of the current research was the effectiveness of the training program based on the threats and opportunities of remote work for both working couples in the conditions of Corona on work-family conflict and its dimensions. The current research is a quantitative and applied research in which a semi-experimental method was used with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the research included conflicting couples who, for some reasons, have referred to family court counseling centers in Tehran. Therefore, 40 people (20 couples) were selected by available sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (each including 10 couples). Qualitative quasi-experimental research design with experimental and control groups and pre-test, post-test and one-month follow-up stages. Therefore, the experimental group was subjected to intervention with Gottman's approach. Quantitative data collection tools included the Pines Marital Boredom Questionnaire (CBM), Gottman's Emotional Divorce Questionnaire (2008), and Gross and John's (2003) Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Quantitative data analysis was done through SPSS software and using variance analysis with repeated measurements. Considering that the F value calculated for the effect of the groups for marital boredom, emotional divorce and emotional regulation of conflicting couples is significant at the 5% level (P < 0.05), then it can be said that between the experimental group and control after the intervention, there is a significant difference, and the intervention of Gutman's approach to marital boredom, emotional divorce, and emotion regulation of conflicting couples has been significantly effective. According to Bonferroni's follow-up test, the effects of Gottman's intervention on marital burnout, emotional divorce, and emotional regulation of conflicting couples are stable in the follow-up phase. Therefore, it can be concluded that the intervention of Gutman's approach is effective on marital burnout, emotional divorce and emotional regulation of conflicting couples. This effect is also stable in the follow-up phase.

The effectiveness of McMaster's systemic couple therapy on self-differentiation and marital boredom and intimacy of couples with emotional divorce

Objective: In the field of counseling and family psychology, various approaches have been created with the aim of reducing conflicts and communication disturbances between couples. The purpose of the present study was the effectiveness of McMaster's systemic couple therapy on self-differentiation and marital boredom and intimacy of couples with emotional divorce. Methods and Materials: In terms of the purpose, the present research is part of applied research, and in terms of method, it is a semi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The research population consisted of all the couples who referred to counseling centers in Shiraz in 2021-22, from which 24 couples with emotional divorce were selected as a sample. The tools of the current research included self-differentiation questionnaire, marital boredom, and couples' intimacy. McMaster's systemic couple therapy intervention was performed during 10 sessions of 1.5 hours; But the control group did not receive any intervention. The research data was analyzed by multi-way covariance analysis. Findings: The findings showed that McMaster's family therapy is effective on self-differentiation, marital boredom and intimacy of couples with emotional divorce (P<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that McMaster's couple therapy is effective on self-differentiation and marital boredom and intimacy of couples with emotional divorce.

Predicting Emotional Divorce Based on Self-Differentiation and Marital Expectations in Women

Objective: Divorce is one of the most significant family damages leading to individual, familial, and social collapse, with emotional divorce being a precursor to formal divorce. The current study aimed to predict emotional divorce based on self-differentiation and marital expectations in women. Materials and Methods: This study employed a correlational research method. The population included women who consulted counseling and psychological service centers in the cities of Nowshahr and Chalus. Using a convenience sampling method, 160 samples were selected and responded to the Gottman Emotional Divorce Scale (1995), Skowron and Friedlander Self-Differentiation Inventory (1998), and Omidvar et al.'s Marital Expectation Questionnaire (2009). Data were analyzed using regression analysis in SPSS 22. Findings: Results indicated that among the components of self-differentiation, "I-position" (β= -0.30; p < 0.001) and among the components of marital expectations, expectations as a friend and supporter (β= -0.20 = β; p < 0.001) were significant predictors of emotional divorce. Additionally, the "I-position" variable had the highest predictive power. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, attention to the role of differentiation and fusion in the spousal relationship, as well as marital expectations, can be crucial in identifying and treating couple issues and preventing emotional divorce.