Mediating Role of Self-compassion between Communication Skills and Emotional Expression with the Empathy of Divorce Applicants

Objective: given the prevalence of divorce and the growing trend of marital problems, it is necessary to scrutinythe factors affecting the interpersonal relationships of couples. Therefore, this study  conducted to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in explaining the causal relationship between communication skills and emotional expression with the empathy of divorce applicants. Methods: This research  conducted through a descriptive method and the study design was a correlation of path analysis. The statistical population consisted of all men and women who applied for divorce (aged 30-50) who referred to the counseling centers of the Judiciary in Tehran during2020-2021. The sample size determined by 396 cases (Klein, 2010) and selected by convenience sampling method. In order to collect information, standard questionnaires of self-compassion, communication skills, couple empathy, and emotional expression used. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 and AMOS 24 software. Results:  The results showed fitness of model (CFI = 0.953, GFI = 0.954, AGFI = 0.895 and RMSEA = 0.082). The model explained about 34% of the variance of couple's empathy in divorce applicants. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be said that the relationship between a couple's empathy with communication skills and emotional expression is not a direct relationship and factors such as marital empathy can strengthen or weaken this relationship.