Explaining the Model of Marital Commitment Based on Object Relations with the Mediating Role of Ego Strength

Abstract

Marriage is the greatest and most significant event in an individual's life, and a healthy marriage requires several elements, including intimacy, commitment, and satisfaction. This study aimed to explain a model predicting marital commitment based on object relations with the mediating role of ego strength. The statistical population of the present study included all married couples residing in the city of Qom in 2023, totaling 7,634 individuals. Of these, 258 individuals (148 women and 110 men) were selected through purposive sampling. This study used a descriptive-correlational research design and structural equation modeling. Participants completed the Marital Commitment Inventory (DCI) by Adams and Jones (1997), the Object Relations Inventory by Bell et al. (1995), and the Ego Strength Inventory by Markstrom et al. (1997). Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using SPSS-28 and AMOS-24 software. The relationships among variables were examined using Pearson correlation and path analysis, and the mediating role was tested using the Sobel method. The findings of this study confirmed the mediating role of ego strength in the relationship between object relations and marital commitment (p < .05). The indirect effect of object relations on marital commitment was -0.062. The results indicate that considering the complex interplay of issues that arise in couples' interactions and experiences, as well as the role of ego strength, can provide valuable insights into the factors that contribute to the success and longevity of relationships.