The mediating role of the need for belonging in the relationship between the quality of the family of origin and the psychological distress in women and men on the verge of divorce

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Sajad Sedaghati Rad ¹
• Yasser Rezapour Mirsaleh ²
• Zahra Jahanbakhshi ³

¹ Master of Family Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.

³ Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences & Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

10.30495/jpmm.2024.32932.3907

Abstract

Introduction: The significant increase in marital divorce has prompted researchers to find effective factors to deal with these disturbances and the resulting distress. Reducing the psychological distress in couples will lead to improvement of their relationships and the strength of the family foundation and thus the health of the society. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of the need for belonging in the relationship between the quality of the family of origin and the psychological distress of women and men on the verge of divorce.

Methods: The present study was a correlational study and the statistical population was all divorce applicants in Mashhad city, who referred to counseling centers approved by the judiciary. A total of 300 participants selected via available sampling method. The data collected using the Family of origin scale, Psychological Distress Questionnaire, and the Need for Belonging Scale and analyzed using Pearson correlation and structural equation.

Results: The findings showed that the quality of the family of origin and the psychological distress of women and men on the verge of divorce have a positive relationship with each other. Also, the need to belong plays a mediating role in the relationship between the quality of the family of origin and the psychological distress.

Conclusion: Regarding the results, in order to reduce the psychological distress of couples on the verge of divorce, it is suggested to carry out interventions based on attachment and changing people's attitudes towards their family of origin and emotional discharge towards them.

Keywords

• Need to belong
• Quality of the family of origin
• psychological distress
• Divorce

Main Subjects

• Psychological Models and Methods

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