مجله علوم روانشناختی (Feb 2025)
Presenting the model of trust in couples affected by betrayal based on emotional schemas with the mediation of communication patterns and emotional expression
Abstract
Background: Trust between spouses is one of the fundamental pillars of family formation, and couples facing the aftermath of betrayal require, above all, the construction of trust to mend their marital relationships. A review of the literature in this area indicates a lack of indigenous models for building trust among couples impacted by infidelity. Aims: The present research was conducted with the aim of providing a model of trust in couples affected by infidelity based on emotional schemas with the mediation of communication patterns and emotional expression. Methods: The research method was correlation type which was done in the from of structural modeling. The statistical population of this study is made up of all couples affected by infidelity who visited the counseling centers of Nowshahr, Chalus and Tonekabon between May and August 2021 the sample of the research was (300) men and women injured by infidelity (240 women and 60 men) who were selected by the available sampling method and couples trust questionnaires (IRS) Rempel et al. (1985), emotional schema (LESS) Leahy (2002), communication patterns (CPQ) Christensen and Salavy (1984) and emotional expressiveness (EEQ) completed King and Emmons (1990). The resulting data were analyzed by Pearson correlation method and structural equations with SPSS 26 and AMOS 24 software. Results: The findings of the research showed that the presented conceptual model had a good fit and was approved. Also, the results showed that compatible and incompatible schemas have a direct and significant effect on communication patterns, emotional expression and trust of couples (P<0.05); Also, regarding the indirect effects, compatible schemas through the expression of positive emotion and incompatible schemas through the mediation of positive emotion expression and intimacy expression had an indirect and significant effect on couples' trust (P<0.01). Conclusion: Considering the prominent role of trust, particularly trust restoration, in couples affected by infidelity, it is recommended to utilize the findings of this research to design and plan a psychotherapeutic intervention model. The aim is to enhance trust in couples impacted by infidelity, focusing on improving levels of adaptive emotional schemas, positive communication patterns, and effective emotional expression.
