Developing a Model of Marital Burnout based on Personality Dimensions with the Mediation of Emotion Regulation Strategies

Subject Areas : Journal of Excellence in Counseling and Psychotherapy

Azam Ebrahimi ¹ , Majid Barzegar ^{2 *} , Nadereh Sohrabi ³ , Maryam zarnaghash ⁴

1 - 1. Department of Psychology, Marvdasht branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran.
2 -
3 - Department of General Psychology, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran
4 - Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University,Marvdasht, Iran

Received: 2025-05-02 Accepted : 2025-09-07 Published : 2025-10-08

Keywords: Personality dimensions, boredom, emotion regulation strategies.,

Abstract :

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to develop a model of marital burnout based on personality dimensions mediated by emotion regulation strategies in married couples in Bushehr.

Methodology: The research method was descriptive-correlational based on structural equation modeling and the statistical population was all married people in Bushehr in 2024. The sample size was determined as 420 people based on the rule of sample-to-path ratio, including a 20% possible sample drop. However, finally, after removing outliers, 403 samples entered the analysis stages. These people were selected through non-random and purposeful sampling. Information was collected through the short form of the Neo Personality Questionnaire (1983), the Pines Marital Disgust Scale (1996), and the Gross and John Cognitive Emotion Regulation (2003).

Findings: Data analysis showed that the five personality factors (neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience) have a significant indirect effect on marital burnout through the mediation of emotion regulation strategies (emotional suppression and reappraisal) (P<0.05). The studied model also had acceptable fit indices (χ²/df, NFI, CFI, TLI, RMSEA, GFI).

Conclusion: This study showed that personality traits play an important role in marital burnout through their influence on emotion regulation strategies. Therefore, strengthening emotion regulation skills can help reduce burnout and increase marital satisfaction. Therefore, psychological interventions that simultaneously target personality traits and emotion regulation are effective in improving the quality of marital relationships.