Perceived Relationship Quality Components Research Articles

Causal association between family health, perceived relationship quality components, and attitudes toward childbearing in Iranian women: A WHO model analysis.

Given the unprecedented global decline in fertility as a major demographic development in recent years, the present study was conducted to determine Causal association Between Family Health, Perceived Relationship Quality Components, and Attitudes toward Childbearing in Iranian Women: A WHO Model Analysis METHODS: In 2023, this descriptive study recruited 400 married women presenting to selected comprehensive health centers affiliated to Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. The data were collected through multistage stratified cluster sampling and using a socioeconomic status questionnaire (Ghodratnama), the Perceived Relationship Quality Components (PRQC) scale, the family-of-origin scale (FOS), the attitudes toward fertility and childbearing scale (AFCS) and a demographic checklist were analyzed in SPSS 25 and LISREL 8.8. According to the path analysis, family health exerted the most significant and positive causal effect on attitudes to childbearing directly through one path (B=0.334) and relationship quality (B=0.698) and duration of married life (B=0.387) both directly and indirectly. The number of children (B=-0.057), however, exerted the most significant and negative causal effect on attitudes to childbearing through both paths. The present findings suggested the significant effects of family health and relationship quality on attitudes toward childbearing. It is therefore recommended that these variables be screened in comprehensive health centers, the associated limitations and problems be identified and appropriate training and counseling solutions be provided by health specialists.

Drug use and condomless sex among sexual minority men in relationships: Whether relationship quality is a risk or protective factor depends upon what they believe their partners do

Sexual minority male (SMM) couples tend toward behavioral similarity around cannabis use, illicit drug use, and sex with casual partners. Similarity in these behaviors may contextualize associations with relationship quality. This study tested the hypotheses that perceptions of partner (cannabis and illicit) drug use and sexual behavior would predict personal drug use and sexual behavior as well as moderate the association between relationship quality and these health outcomes. Recruitment via social networking applications yielded a sample of 5511 cisgender SMM aged 18–85 (M = 38.21, SD = 12.16) who were in a relationship with an adult cisgender male main partner. Respondents completed an online survey assessing their own cannabis use, illicit drug use, and condomless anal sex (CAS) with casual partners during the past 30 days as well as their belief about their partner's engagement in these behaviors. Three subscales of the Perceived Relationship Quality Components (PRQC) scale assessed relationship quality. Across the observed range of PRQC scores participants who reported their partner used cannabis, used other illicit drugs, and had recent CAS with a casual partner were more likely to report engaging in these activities themselves. Among participants who indicated their partner did not engage in these activities, relationship quality was negatively associated with personal cannabis use (OR = 0.985, p < 0.001), illicit drug use (OR = 0.973, p < 0.001), and CAS with casual partners (OR = 0.979, p < 0.001); meanwhile, among those who reported their partner engaged in these behaviors – relationship quality was positively associated with the odds of these behaviors (OR = 1.018, p < 0.001; OR = 1.015, p < 0.001; OR = 1.019, p = 0.015 for cannabis, illicit drug use and CAS with casual partners respectively). These findings suggest that perceptions of a partner's behavior contextualize associations between relationship quality and personal behavioral risk. Results emphasize the importance of integrating components that support relationship quality into behavioral health interventions for SMM couples and SMM in relationships.

Harmonious Husband and Wife Relationship:

A harmonious marriage is associated with spousal satisfaction. However, in Indonesia, the divorce rate increases every year. Maintaining a harmonious family takes effort from the spouses and is discussed using stimulus, value and role theories, as internal factors. The external factor is dyadic coping, which is the ability of couples to cope with pressure together and is discussed using the systematic transactional model-STM. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of dyadic coping on the achievement of harmonious relationships in husbands and wives. Method: non-experimental quantitative with cross sectional technique. Sample characteristics are heterosexual couples who have been married for at least 1 year, aged over 20 years, as many as 150 couples or 300 participants. Relationship satisfaction measurement tool, The Perceived Relationship Quality Components Inventory (PRQC), Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient = 0.978, while Dyadic Coping is measured by Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI), Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient = 0.911. Data processing using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), LISREL 8.80 programme, the measurement model shows all items are valid and the structural model shows a fit and significant model. The results showed the similarity of husbands and wives handling pressure, using positive dyadic coping. The difference between husbands and wives on the perception of harmonious relationship satisfaction is the aspect of love and intimacy. With these findings, it is expected to be used by counsellors, family psychologists and others to guide couples to be harmonious

The association between sexual function, quality of marital relationship and associated factors in women with a history of ectopic pregnancy: a cross-sectional study in Iran

BackgroundEctopic pregnancy (EP) has many adverse effects on the relationship between couples. The present study aims to assess the association between sexual function (SF), quality of marital relationship (QMR) and associated factors in women with a history of EP.MethodThis cross-sectional study was performed on 220 women with a history of EP in Kerman in 2022. Convenience sampling method was applied. Data were collected using the female sexual function index (FSFI) and the perceived relationship quality components scale (PRQC) questionnaires and were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics (median regression) in Stata software version 17. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOf the female participants, 20.4% had sexual dysfunction (SD). Longer duration of marriage (P = 0.045) and increase in the number of EPs (P < 0.001) were associated with a decrease in SF. A quarter of women experienced poor QMR. Increase in spouse age (P = 0.047), longer duration of marriage (P = 0.028), and increase in the number of EPs (P < 0.001) were associated with a decrease in QMR. There was a significant direct relationship between SF and the QMR (r = 0.857; P < 0.001).ConclusionThe present study showed a significant relationship between SF and the QMR in women with a history of EP. Therefore, SF and the QMR are necessary to be considered in future health promotion programs of these women.

The effect of mobile app-based self-care training on the quality of marital relations and the severity of menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a clinical trial study in Iran

BackgroundEducational interventions for self-care are a necessary solution to help postmenopausal women properly deal with menopausal problems. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of self-care training using an application on the quality of marital relations and the severity of menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women in Iran.MethodsIn this study, 60 postmenopausal women selected using the convenience sampling method were divided into two groups, intervention and control, using simple random allocation (lottery). The intervention group used the menopause self-care application for eight weeks in addition to routine care, but the control group only received the routine care. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the Perceived Relationship Quality Components (PRQC) questionnaire were completed in two stages, before and immediately after eight weeks, in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16), descriptive (mean and standard deviation), and inferential (ANCOVA and Bonferroni post hoc) statistics.ResultsThe ANCOVA results showed that the use of the menopause self-care application decreased the severity of the participants’ menopause symptoms (P = 0.001) and improved the quality of their marital relations (P = 0.001).ConclusionImplementation of a self-care training program through the application helped improve the quality of marital relations and reduce the severity of postmenopausal women's symptoms, so it can be used as an effective method to prevent the unpleasant consequences of menopause.Trial registrationThe present study was registered at https://fa.irct.ir/ on 2021–05-28 (registration number: IRCT20201226049833N1).

Does it Matter Who You Feel Sexually Aroused By? Associations Between Sexual Arousal, Relationship Quality, and Sexual Satisfaction.

BackgroundDespite its integral role in normative sexual functioning, there is a dearth of research into the role of subjective sexual arousal within romantic relationships.AimThe current proof-of-concept study addresses this gap by investigating the associations between partner-induced sexual arousal, sexual arousal induced by others, and sexual satisfaction and relationship quality.MethodsOne hundred and sixteen heterosexual couples who had been together for an average of three and a half years completed an online survey. An Actor-Partner Interdependence Modelling framework was applied to analyze the dyadic data.OutcomesParticipants completed the Perceived Relationship Quality Components (PRQC) Inventory and a single item global measure of sexual satisfaction derived for the current study.ResultsFeeling sexually aroused by one's romantic partner was positively associated with one's own sexual satisfaction and relationship quality. However, feeling sexually aroused by people other than one's romantic partner was negatively associated with one's own sexual satisfaction and relationship quality. These associations were found for both men and women.Clinical TranslationTherapists and practitioners may need to place an emphasis on using strategies and techniques that specifically facilitate or heighten partner-induced sexual arousal, whilst helping couples to move away from those behaviors and situations which typically lead to sexual arousal induced by those other than their partner.Strengths & LimitationsThis proof-of-concept study provides novel findings that address the absence of research investigating the associations between sexual arousal and outcomes in romantic relationships. The well-powered dyadic study design enabled a rigorous test of the hypotheses. However, the study was cross-sectional in nature, the sample was somewhat homogenous, and assessments included brief measures of sexual arousal and sexual satisfaction.ConclusionThe findings offer the first evidence to suggest that partner-induced sexual arousal and non–partner-induced sexual arousal have differential effects in terms of sexual satisfaction and relationship quality. This not only has a raft of clinical implications, but it provides the basis for several important avenues of future research on the role of subjective sexual arousal in romantic relationships.Lawless NJ, Karantzas GC, Mullins ER, et al. Does it Matter Who You Feel Sexually Aroused By? Associations Between Sexual Arousal, Relationship Quality, and Sexual Satisfaction. Sex Med 2022;10:100523.

Psychological characteristics and sexual correlates of the resolution experience

ABSTRACT Introduction Resolution is least researched phase of the sexual response cycle. There is lack of knowledge of its psychological characteristics and correlates. Objectives To develop a measure of depth of the resolution experience and explore its correlations with sexual functioning and intimate relationship quality. Method The sample consisted of 475 respondents to an online survey (303 women, 172 men, mostly Portuguese). We used the Sexual Resolution Scale (SRS), which has eight items elaborated from the literature on resolution; the items refer to 1) experiencing profound peace, 2) deep relaxation, 3) heart rate acceleration, 4) intensified body awareness, 5) intensified emotions, 6) intensified imagination, 7) willingness to talk about emotionally charged subjects, 8) willingness to listen to emotionally charged subjects. Participants were asked to rate how intensely they had these experiences immediately after their last sexual encounter. Additionally, participants reported the intensity of desire, arousal, and orgasm, during the last sexual encounter, and completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Female Sexual Distress Scale – Revised, and the Perceived Relationship Quality Components Inventory Results A confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the SRS has two dimensions: Internal Experience (items 1 to 6) and Openness to Communication (items 7, 8). Both present good reliability. Invariance was confirmed between sexes. In women, Internal Experience and Openness to Communication correlated significantly with desire (rIE = .52, rOC = .24) and arousal (rIE = .48, rOC = .21) during last sexual encounter. Women's orgasm intensity during last sexual encounter correlated significantly with Internal Experience (rIE = .28), but not with Openness to Communication (rOC = .08, p = .148). Women's Internal Experience and Openness to Communication correlated significantly with better relationship quality (rIE = .27, rOC = .21), better sexual functioning (FSFI total score) (rIE = .49, rOC = .27), and less sexual distress (rIE = -.35, rOC = -.16). Men's Internal Experience and Openness to Communication correlated significantly with desire (rIE = .38, rOC = .26), arousal (rIE = .40, rOC = .32), and orgasm intensity, during last sexual encounter (rIE = .46, rOC = .26). Men's Internal Experience correlated significantly with better relationship quality (rIE = .32) and IIEF-15 dimensions of intercourse satisfaction (rIE = .41), sexual satisfaction (rIE = .32), orgasmic function (rIE = .20), and desire (rIE = .20), but not with erectile function (rIE = .06, p = .438). Men's Openness to Communication correlated significantly with better relationship quality (rIE = .31), intercourse satisfaction (rIE = .31) and sexual satisfaction (rIE = .19), but not with erectile function (rIE = -.08, p = .291), orgasmic function (rIE = .10, p = .178), and desire (rIE = .10, p = .211). Conclusions The SRS has good psychometric properties and is valid for both sexes. This study emphasizes the twofold nature of resolution encompassing internal and relational experiences that are psychologically richer than a mere transition to an unaroused state, and subject to individual differences. Deeper resolution correlated with better sexual function and relationship quality. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no.

Association between infertility factors and perceived relationship quality in infertile couples

Infertility is a crisis in the life of couples that could affect their relationships. The present study was conducted to evaluate the relation between infertility factors and the quality of marital relationship in infertile couples who were referred to the Fertility and Infertility Center of Isfahan. The present study was conducted cross-sectional on 131 infertile couples who were referred to the Fertility and Infertility Center of Isfahan and had the inclusion criteria and were selected using convenient sampling method. Data gathering tool for the present study was Perceived Relationship Quality Components (PRQC). All the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics (independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance). The level of significance was set at 0.05 for all the statistical tests. The mean score of PRQC for women and men was 84.05 and 88.46, respectively, and their difference was statistically significant. There was a significant relation between the score of PRQC in women (P = 0.028) and men (P = 0.030) with the infertility factor. Results showed that the mean score of perceived quality of different aspects of the marital relationship was significantly lower when the infertility factor was female (P < 0.05). In women aspects of "satisfaction" (P = 0.024) and "commitment" (P = 0.011) and in men aspect of "love" (P = 0.004) from the perceived aspects of relationship had a significant relation with the infertility factor. Perceived quality of different aspects of marital relationship had a significant relation with infertility factor in infertile couples. Results of the present study showed that when infertility had female causes, the quality of relationship was more affected. Therefore, in infertility counseling, simultaneous counseling for both spouses with emphasis on women, along with treatments, should be considered.

Relationship quality in couples related to mental health of women and men during the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders

IntroductionThe data on gender differences in mental health make the investigation of the specific impact of the pandemic and of the stay-at-home orders on men and women relevant.ObjectivesThe study focuses on the quality of the relationship in couples and mental health in men and women during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe study was conducted through an online survey a few weeks after the pandemic was declared and the stay-at-home order was introduced in Russia. 274 participants (50 men and 224 women) engaged in long-term relationships aged from 18 to 62 (M=34.2; SD=9.1) took part in the research. The instruments included the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, the Perceived Relationship Quality Components, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales.ResultsWomen show a considerably higher level of stress (t=3.805; p&lt;0.001), depression (t=3.76; p&lt;0.001) and anxiety (t=2.959; p=0.003). The quality of relationship for women is significantly connected with mental wellbeing (r=0.423; p&lt;0.001) and negatively correlated with the stress level (r= -0.60; p&lt;0.001), depression (r= -0,381; p&lt;0,001) and anxiety (r=-0,313; p&lt;0,001). Meanwhile for men, the quality of the relationship is connected to mental wellbeing (r=0.280; p=0.049), opposed to stress levels (r= -0.316; p=0.025) and is neither connected to depression (r= -0.210; p=0.144) nor to anxiety (r= -0.126; p=0.383).ConclusionsDuring the pandemic, a favorable partnership has a positive effect on the mental health of both men and women. However, while the relationship quality affects all investigated indicators of mental health in women, in men the relationship quality is only connected to the level of mental wellbeing and stress. The reported study was funded by RFBR, project number 20-04-60174.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Ebeveyn Duygusal Erişilebilirliği, Romantik İlişki Kalitesi ve Sosyal Bağlılık ile İyi Oluş Arasındaki İlişkide Yalnızlığın Aracılık Rolü

In this study, the relationship between psychological-subjective well-being levels, emotional availability to parents, quality of romantic relationships, and social connectedness of pre-service teachers were examined through loneliness. The study group of the research study consists of students who study at Bozok University Faculty of Education, have a romantic relationship, live separately from their families, and whose parents are alive. The total number of participants is 667, 408 of which are females, and 259 are males. In this study, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, the short form of the Oxford Happiness Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Parental Emotional Availability Scale, the Perceived Relationship Quality Components Inventory, and the Social Connectedness Scale were used. SPSS 23 and Mplus 7.0 were used to analyze the data. The data obtained were tested by correlation and path analyses. It was determined that emotional availability to parents, romantic relationship quality and social connectedness predicted subjective and psychological well-being through loneliness.

Forecasting relationship quality of Indonesian newlywed individuals: a quantitative study on the role of attachment

ABSTRACT Given the increased rate of divorce amongst newlywed couples in Indonesia, the present study was conducted to analyse the effect of partner attachment on relationship quality of the Indonesian newlywed individuals. Using multiple regression methods, data from 153 newlyweds were examined using the adapted version of the Experience in Close Relationship-Revised (ECR-R) and the Perceived Relationship Quality Components (PRQC). The result suggested that adult attachment towards the partner could predict relationship quality, where attachment avoidance showed a greater significance than attachment anxiety. Analyses of the participant’s data demographic were also reported. Further implications of these findings were outlined for future research in the fields of marriage, and for the counsellors, the newlyweds, and readers in general.

Extradyadic Behaviors and Gender: How Do They Relate With Sexual Desire, Relationship Quality, and Attractiveness.

Recent years have seen an increasing number of studies on relationship extradyadic behaviors (Pinto and Arantes, 2016; Pazhoohi et al., 2017; Silva et al., 2017; Fisher, 2018). However, much is still to learn about the impact of these extradyadic behaviors on subsequent relationships that an individual may have. Our main goal was to study the association between past extradyadic behaviors – inflicted and suffered – and current relationship quality, sexual desire and attractiveness. Specifically, we aimed to: (i) Understand if past extradyadic behaviors are related to current relationship quality, sexual desire, and self-perceived and partner’s attractiveness; (ii) Identify possible gender differences in these variables. For that, 364 participants (251 females and 113 males) were recruited through personal and institutional e-mails, online social networks (e.g., Facebook), and the website of the Evolutionary Psychology Group from the University of Minho. All participants completed a demographic and relationship questionnaire, followed by questions related to extradyadic behaviors and self-perceived attractiveness, the Perceived Relationship Quality Components (PRQC) Inventory, the Sex Drive Scale (SDQ), and the Importance of Partner’s Physical Attractiveness Scale (IPPAS). For those currently involved in a relationship, results suggested that extradyadic behaviors (both suffered or inflicted) are linked with current low relationship quality and high sexual desire in the present. In addition, individuals who perceived themselves as being more attractive tended to have a higher sexual desire and higher relationship quality. Overall, men reported higher levels of extradyadic behaviors and sexual desire, gave more importance to physical attractiveness, and perceived their current relationship as having less quality than women. These results add to the literature by focusing on different variables that play an important role in romantic relationships, and have important implications.

Impact of group assertiveness-based sexual training on the quality of marital relationships among female university students.

BACKGROUND:Sexual assertiveness plays a crucial role in the quality of sex, as well as in investigating and treating sexual problems. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of assertiveness-based sexual training on the quality of marital relationships of married female students.METHODS:This quasi-experimental study was done in southeastern Iran in the academic year of 2017. A total of 80 married women were chosen from university students through convenience sampling, and they were assigned to the intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. Data were collected using the Perceived Relationship Quality Components Inventory. For the intervention group, assertiveness-based sexual counseling was provided in four sessions (90–120 min each session). The posttest was performed 12 weeks after the last counseling session. Independent t-test and covariance analysis were employed to analyze data using SPSS version 21 software.RESULTS:After the intervention, the two groups revealed a significant difference in their respective mean total score of the quality of various dimensions of marital relationships (P = 0.0001). This indicates that assertiveness-based sexual counseling has improved this mean total score in the intervention group compared to the control group.CONCLUSION:Given the positive impact of assertiveness-based sexual training on the quality of students' marital relationships, the integration of sexual training with focus on assertiveness in usual sexual counseling will help therapists to improve the quality of marital relationship from the perspective of women.

Associação entre infertilidade e satisfação relacional: Estudo comparativo de díades consoante a situação reprodutiva

Estudos recentes sugerem que a infertilidade tanto pode ser benéfica como danosa à relação conjugal. Esta divergência deve-se, em parte, à falta de grupos de controlo adequados e à não utilização da díade como unidade de análise. Este estudo teve como objetivo testar a existência de diferenças significativas ao nível da satisfação relacional e do consenso diádico nesta variável em 358 casais, divididos em quatro grupos consoante a experiência de infertilidade e de parentalidade. Recorrendo a análises multivariadas de covariância, foram utilizadas como variáveis dependentes a satisfação relacional feminina e masculina e o respetivo consenso diádico, e como variáveis de controlo as idades feminina e masculina, a duração da relação, e a satisfação reportada pelo parceiro. Não se verificaram efeitos significativos da satisfação reprodutiva nos níveis feminino e masculino de satisfação relacional e no consenso diádico nos quatro grupos, mantendo-se os resultados após introdução das covariáveis. Pese embora a necessidade de investigações futuras que possam acompanhar os casais longitudinalmente e idealmente antes ainda de iniciar o projeto de parentalidade, estes resultados sugerem que a vivência de barreiras à fertilidade por si só não afeta a satisfação relacional.

A Randomized, Waiting-List-Controlled Study Shows That Brief, Mindfulness-Based Psychological Interventions Are Effective for Treatment of Women’s Low Sexual Desire

We evaluated two treatment conditions for low sexual desire in women: one where participants were administered a mindfulness-based treatment protocol and another with exercises focusing on scheduled sex and motivations for sex in addition to the aforementioned protocol. Seventy women (Mage 39.2, SD = 9.8) with complaints of low sexual desire were randomly allocated to one of these treatment conditions or a waiting-list condition. Participants attended four individual sessions and completed homework exercises. Questionnaire data were collected before and after treatment and at follow-ups three and six months later. Primary outcomes were the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) desire subdomain and the Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory–Female (SIDI-F). Secondary outcomes were the Female Sexual Distress Scale–Revised (FSDS-R), the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), the Perceived Relationship Quality Components Inventory (PRQC), and the Brief Symptom Inventory–18 (BSI-18). Women in both treatment conditions reported significantly higher sexual desire (FSFI desire d = 0.75 to 1.06) immediately following treatment, compared to the waiting list. Improvements were sustained at follow-up, accompanied by improvements in some secondary outcomes. We found no significant differences between the treatment conditions in terms of treatment effectiveness. Our study adds to the literature suggesting that mindfulness-based treatments are suitable options for treating low sexual desire in women.

Digital Intimate Partner Violence Among Peruvian Youths: Validation of an Instrument and a Theoretical Proposal.

The present study presents psychometric information on a new instrument, the Digital Intimate Partner Violence Questionnaire (DIPVQ), and explores the similitudes and differences between in-person and digital-based abuses (those that involve the use of information and communication technologies [ICTs]). In all, 449 Peruvian students took part in the study (X = 21.2 years; SD = 4.3 years; 73% women). DIPVQ structure was determined by carrying out an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with polychoric correlation matrices and oblique rotation. In-person violence was assessed using the Dating Violence Questionnaire (DVQ) and self-labeling questions (e.g., feeling trapped, afraid, and abused). Relationship satisfaction was assessed using the Perceived Relationship Quality Components-Short Form (PRQC-SF). EFA showed a two-scale structure for the DIPVQ: control-centered cyberabuse (N = 5; control, monitoring, and identity theft; EAP alpha = .96) and damage-centered cyberabuse (N = 7; unwanted sexual contents, blackmailing, and causing debts throughout ICT; Expected-A-Posteriori alpha = .97). DIPVQ had direct relationship to DVQ and self-labeling (p < .001; d = 0.38-1.18), and inverse to PRQC-SF (p = .11; d = .22-.33). Behaviors such as impersonation and monitoring were reported by more than 20% of participants. Online and offline victimization coexist in 42% of cases, while 3.6% of aggressions happened exclusively via ICT. DIPVQ is a valid and reliable measure of digital victimization. The control-centered scale had a higher frequency, although the damage-centered scale had stronger relationship to feeling afraid and abused. While previous literature has classified online aggressions regarding their aesthetic appearance, it seems that their functional value (control vs. hurting) could provide a better framework for understanding these aggressions.

Estimating the Validity and Reliability of Gottman Questionnaires of “Couple Trust Measurement”

Despite the efficacy and the recognition in the field of couple therapy, there is little in the literature that discusses the integration of couple therapy. The purpose of this study was estimating the validity and reliability of “Couple Trust Measurement” questionnaire, designed by John Gottman. The statistical population was all the married couples of Bojnourd, and the study sample was consisted of two groups of married men and women (278 and 308) who were selected by using cluster random sampling. To estimate the questionnaire validity, different methods were used; calculating the correlation of the score of each item with the total score, Cronbach’s alpha, and the split-half coefficient. To investigate the scale reliability, these methods were performed; exploratory factor analysis, principal components, confirmatory factor analysis, maximum likelihood. The convergent reliability was investigated by calculating the Pearson correlation between the couple’s trust measurement scale and the perceived relationship quality components inventory (PRQC) and Thompson and Walker’s marital intimacy scale 1983 (MIS). Multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the scale reliability based on the gender and the number of marital years. SPSS 17 and AMOS.20 software was used for statistical analysis. The results showed that “Couple Trust Measurement” questionnaire has high reliability and validity, thus it can be used as reliable and valid tools to measure the couple trust in Iran.

Effect of a Couples' Relationship Enrichment Program on the Quality of Marital Relationships from the Perspective of Spouses of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

ABSTRACTA relationship enrichment program involves family therapy with psychosocial training to improve relationship skills. This study was conducted to determine the effect of a couples' relationship enrichment program on marital relationship quality. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2016 with 80 spouses of patients, all members of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center in Zahedan, Iran. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention and a control group, each of which comprised 40 participants. The Perceived Relationship Quality Components questionnaire was used to collect the required data. After five-session couples' relationship enrichment program, the mean total marital relationship quality score and all the subscale scores except the love subscale score in the intervention group were significantly greater than those in the control group. Application of the program is recommended to increase the quality of marital relationships for spouses of patients with MS, as they are the most important sources of support for patients with MS.

How Adult Attachment and Personality Traits are Related to Marital Quality: The Role of Relationship Attributions and Emotional Reactions

The purpose of this research was to explore the role of General Factor of Personality (GFP) and adult attachment dimensions in marital quality through relationship attributions and emotional reactions. The sample consisted of 261 couples who were married at least more than one year and had no major stressful events in their lives up to the time of the study. In this study, the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire-Revised (ECR-R), the Relationship Attribution Measure (RAM), the Geneva Emotion Wheel (GEW), and the Perceived Relationship Quality Components (PRQC) were used for collecting the data. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the data. The results suggest that attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance and GFP directly and indirectly, through relationship attributions and emotional reactions, were related to marital quality. In addition, relationship attributions are antecedent to emotional reactions. Based on the findings, an intrapersonal-situational model of marital quality is suggested.

The stability and change of trait emotional intelligence, conflict communication patterns, and relationship satisfaction: A one-year longitudinal study

We examined the stability and change of trait emotional intelligence (EI), conflict communication patterns and relationship satisfaction in cohabiting heterosexual couples over a 12-month period. Participants were 45 couples ( n = 90) who completed the TEIQue – Short Form (Petrides & Furnham, 2006), the Communication Patterns Questionnaire (Christensen & Sullaway, 1984), and the Perceived Relationship Quality Components (PRQC) Inventory (Fletcher, Simpson, & Thomas, 2000). We examined both actor and partner effects. We found that, for individuals, the effect of self-rated EI on their own satisfaction was stable over the 12-month period and was not related to changes in satisfaction over time. We also found that women’s reports of avoidance and withholding predicted declines in both men’s and women’s satisfaction over time. We discuss the potential importance of EI and communication patterns in promoting relationship satisfaction.