Predicting emotional divorce based on positive-negative emotions with the mediation of interaction patterns

Abstract

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim of predicting emotional divorce based on positive-negative emotions with the mediation of interaction patterns in women referring to counseling and psychology centers. Method: The current research was quantitative in terms of practical purpose and, in terms of data collection, the descriptive research design is of correlation type, which was carried out using the path analysis method. The statistical population of the present study was women with emotional divorce who referred to counseling and psychological centers (both private and public) in the 2nd district of Tehran in 2019. A total of 368 people were selected by available sampling method and answered Gutman's (2008) Emotional Divorce Questionnaire, Tellgen's Positive and Negative Affect Scale (1985) and Christensen and Salovey’s Communication Patterns Questionnaire (1984). Structural equations were analyzed. Results: The results showed that the coefficients of the direct path of positive and negative emotions and interaction patterns to the emotional divorce of married women are significant (p<0. 05). The path coefficient of positive emotion to mutually constructive relationship is also significant (p < 0. 05), but the path coefficient of negative emotion to mutually constructive relationship and the path of positive and negative emotions to mutual avoidant and expectant/withdrawn relationship is not significant (p < 0. 05). Conclusion: The results showed that mutual constructive communication, mutual avoidant communication, and expectant/withdrawn communication mediate the relationship between positive and negative emotions and emotional divorce. This result indicates the significance of the mediating role of interaction patterns in the relationship between positive and negative emotions and emotional divorce.