The predictive role of self-differentiation and early maladaptive schemas in marital satisfaction of female applicants for divorce

Introduction: Marital satisfaction is a condition of a lasting satisfaction in the relationship between husband and wife, which predicts a sense of happiness in relationships. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive role of self-differentiation and early maladaptive schemas in marital satisfaction of female applicants for divorce. Method: This descriptive - analytic study was a correlational one. The statistical population of the study consisted of all women referring to judicial complexes in Tehran from May to 1392, whose divorce cases were ongoing until the research was completed. The sample included 225 women from this group. The data were collected using purposeful sampling method. The data were collected using Enrique's paired questionnaire, self-differentiation scale and Young's Schema Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate regression stepwise using SPSS software. V22 was analyzed. Results: The results showed that the correlation between the subscales of the initial maladaptive schemas and the marital satisfaction components was significant, and the differentiation variable had a significant relationship with the components of marital satisfaction (P <0.01). The stepwise regression findings also indicated that the variables of the maladaptive schemas in the regression model were about 36.6% of the variance of marital satisfaction variable and the variables of their differentiation in the proposed model were about 1.8% of variance of marital satisfaction variable Explaining Discussion and Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that by controlling the early maladaptive schemas and increasing the differentiation of women with incompatibility and low marital satisfaction, there can be significant effects on marital satisfaction and decreasing tendency toward divorce. Therefore, it is necessary to provide treatment interventions in order to reduce the early maladaptive schemas and to increase the differentiation of female applicants for divorce.