Predicting the Occurrence of Marital Conflicts based on Forgiveness, Humor, and Emotional Intimacy

Sotoudeh Navroodi, Seyed Omid; Fallah Arjmandkhah, Tara; Farokhi, Noura

doi:10.22034/jmp.2025.548679.1145

Predicting the Occurrence of Marital Conflicts based on Forgiveness, Humor, and Emotional Intimacy

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Seyed Omid Sotoudeh Navroodi ¹

Tara Fallah Arjmandkhah ²

Noura Farokhi ³

¹ PhD in Counseling, Consultant of Gilan Education Department, University Lecturer, Rasht, Iran

² B.A. in General Psychology, Rahbord Shomal Institute of Higher Education, Rasht, Gilan, Iran

³ M.A. Student in Psychology, Rahbord Shomal Institute of Higher Education, Rasht, Gilan, Iran

10.22034/jmp.2025.548679.1145

Abstract

Objective: Marital conflicts negatively affect couples’ emotional, communicative, and social functioning, ultimately leading to the deterioration of their relationships. The present study aimed to predict the occurrence of marital conflicts based on forgiveness, humor, and intimacy.
Methods: This research employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all women with marital conflicts in the city of Rasht, among whom 150 individuals were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ), the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ), and the Marital Forgiveness Scale (MFS). Data analyses were conducted using Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise regression analysis in SPSS-22.
Results: The findings indicated that marital conflicts had a significant negative relationship with forgiveness, humor, and emotional intimacy. Additionally, the stepwise regression analysis showed that the predictor variables explained 22.6% of marital conflicts in the first step, 30.4% in the second step, and 35.5% in the third step (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that increasing forgiveness, humor, and emotional intimacy between couples can reduce the level of marital conflicts.

Keywords

Emotional Intimacy

Forgiveness

Marital Conflicts

Sense of Humor

Subjects

Social Psychology

Abbas, J., Aqeel, M., Abbas, J., Shaher, B., Jaffar, A., Sundas, J., & Zhang, W. (2019). The moderating role of social support for marital adjustment, depression, anxiety, and stress: Evidence from Pakistani working and nonworking women. Journal of Affective Disorders, 244, 231-238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.07.071

Agu S., A., Nwankwo B., E. (2019). Influence of religious commitment, intentionality in marriage, and forgiveness on marital satisfaction among married couples. IFE Psychologia: An International Journal, 27(2): 121-133. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-19190fbde4

Ahmadi Ardakani, Z., Fatemi Oghada, N. (2019). Examining the model of relationship between attachment styles and marital satisfaction: The mediating roles of forgiveness and empathy. Medical Journal of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 62, 15-25. https://doi.org/10.22038/mjms.2019.13910

Akhtar, S., Dolan, A., Barlow, J. (2017). Understanding the Relationship between States. Forgiveness and Psychological Wellbeing: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Religious Health, 56(2), 450-463 450–463. https://doi.org 10.1007/s10943-016-0188-9

Amanelahi, A., Zarbakhsh, M., & Esmaeili, A. (2018). Prediction of marital conflicts based on forgiveness and empathy among married women in the city of Dezful. 18th Iranian Counseling Association Conference: Counseling and Health, Tehran, Iran. https://civilica.com/doc/859146

Bakhshi, P., Asadi, M., Kiani, …, Shiralipour, A., Ahmaddoost, H. (2012). The relationship between family functioning and marital conflicts among couples on the verge of divorce. Knowledge & Research in Applied Psychology, 13(2), 10–19. https://sanad.iau.ir/journal/jsrp/Article/533822?jid=533822

Bakhshipour, B. (2015). Humor styles and marital conflict in married college students. Counseling Research & Developments, 14(55), 23-39. http://irancounseling.ir/journal/article-1-150-en.html

Barati, T. Sanai, B. (1996). Inventory marital conflict. Measures of family structure and marriage. Tehran: The Institute's Bethat Publications. https://doi.org/10.22067/ijap.v6i1.13756

Barelds, D., & Barelds-Dijkstra, P. (2010). Humor in intimate relationships: Ties among sense of humor, similarity in humor, and relationship quality. Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 23 (4). 447–465. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294118805008

Blatterer, H. (2015). Everyday Friendships: Intimacy as Freedom in a Complex World. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1177/0725513615619503

Butzer, B., & Kuiper, N. (2008). Humor use in romantic relationships: The effects of relationship satisfaction and pleasant versus conflict situations. The Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 142 (3), 245–260. https://doi.org/10.3200/JRLP.142.3.245-260

Cann, A., Christine, Z., & Heather, D. (2009). Positive and negative styles of humor in communication: Evidence for the importance of considering both styles. Communication Quarterly, 57 (4). 452–468. https://doi.org/10.1080/01463370903313398

Çelik, E., Çelik, B., Yavas, Ş., & Süler, M. (2022). Investigation of marital satisfaction in terms of proactive personality, meaning in life, offense specific forgiveness. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 9(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.52380/ijpes.2022.9.1.348

Cheung, A. K. L., Chiu, T., & Choi, S. Y. P. (2022). Couples’ self-control and marital conflict: Does similarity, complementarity, or totality matter more? Social Science Research, 102, 102638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2021.102638

Choi, S. Y., Kim, H. R., & Myong, J. P. (2020). The mediating effects of marital intimacy and work satisfaction in the relationship between husbands’ domestic labor and the depressive mood of married working women. International Journal of environmental research and public health, 17(12), 4547. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124547

Dong, S., Dong, Q., & Chen, H. (2022). Mothers' parenting stress, depression, marital conflict, and marital satisfaction: The moderating effect of fathers' empathy tendency. Journal of Affective Disorders, 299, 682-690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.079

Ebrahimi, S., Banifatemeh, H., (2014). Emotional divorce and related factors in Naghadeh. Sociological Studies. Sociological studies, 4(8), 7-22. https://sanad.iau.ir/en/Article/957613

Erickson, S. J. & Feldstein, S. W. (2006). Adolescent humor and its relationship tocoping, defense strategies, psychological distress, and well-being. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 37(3), 25-271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-006-0034-5

Fakouri Ashkiki M., Janbozorgi M., Khoramian F. (2023). Predicting marital satisfaction based on the attitude similarity, attitude familiarity, and values similarity of couples. Journal of Family Research. 19(1), 29-44. https://doi.org/10.48308/JFR.19.1.29

Fallah, F., & Aboulghasemi, A. (2015). The role of humor in predicting interpersonal conflict resolution styles among incompatible couples. First National Conference on Educational Sciences and Psychology, Marvdasht, Iran. https://civilica.com/doc/338498

Fincham, F. D., Hall, J., & Beach, S. R. (2006). Forgiveness in Marriage: Current Status and Future Directions. Family Relation Journal, 55, 415 - 427. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2005.callf.x-i1

Fupšová, T., Záhorcová, L. (2022). Empathy and Humility as Predictors of Forgiveness towards One’s Partner and Relationship Satisfaction in Young Adults. Studia Psychologica, 64 (3), 243-255. https://doi.org/10.31577/sp.2022.03.851

Ghobari-Bonab, B., Keyvanzadeh, M., & Vahdat-Torbati, S. (2008). The relationship between forgiveness and mental health among medical students. Journal of Psychology and Educational Sciences, 38(2), 167–180. https://www.magiran.com/paper/582239

Greeff, A. P., & Malherbe, H.L. (2001). Intimacy and marital satisfaction in spouses. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 27(3), 247-57. https://doi.org/10.1080/009262301750257100

Hall, J A. (2013). Humor in Long-Term Romantic Relationships: The Association of General Humor Styles and Relationship-Specific Functions with Relationship Satisfaction. Western Journal of Communication, 77(3), 272-292. https://doi.org/10.1080/10570314.201 2.757796.

İyiaydın, A., & Sümer, Z. H. (2023). The mediational role of intimate partner acceptance and psychological maladjustment in the relationship between intimate partner control and marital adjustment. Current Psychology, 42, 1598-1608. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01468-2

Jurkane-Hobein, I. (2015). Magining the Absent Partner: Intimacy and Imagination in Long-distance relationships. Innovative Issues and approaches in social sciences, 8(1), 223-225. https://doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2015-no1-art13

Karremans, J. C., Van Lange, P. A. M., Ouwerkerk, J. W., & Kluwer, E. S. (2003). When forgiving enhances psychological well-being: The role of interpersonal trust. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(5), 1011-1026. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.5.1011

Khojasteh Mehr, R., Ahmadi, A., Sodani, M. & Shir Ali Nia, Kh. (2016). Effectiveness of brief integrative couples counseling on emotional intimacy and marital quality of couples. Contemporary Psychology, 10(2), 29- 40. https://bjcp.ir/browse.php?a_id=896&sid=1&slc_lang=en

Khosouei, M. S., Arizi Samani, H. R., & Aghaei, A. (2009). Development and validation of the humor questionnaire. Psychological Research, 23, 2–39. https://sid.ir/paper/66253/en

Lee, M., Kim, Y. S., & Lee, M. K. (2021). The mediating effect of marital intimacy on the relationship between spouse-related stress and prenatal depression in pregnant couples: An actor–partner interdependent model test. International Journal of environmental research and public health, 18(2), 487. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020487

León-Pérez, J. M., Ortega, J., & Extremera, N. (2021). Effectiveness of a humor-based training for reducing psychological distress and enhancing employee well-being. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21), 11177. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111177

Lu, J., Wu, N., & Hu, S. (2024). Siam DCFF: Dynamic Cascade Feature Fusion for Vision Tracking. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 24(14), 4545. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24144545

Lavaf, H., Shokri, O., & Ghanbari, S. (2015). The mediating role of couples’ communication patterns in the relationship between marital conflict and internalizing and externalizing problems in girls. Journal of Family Psychology, 1(2), 18–30. https://sid.ir/paper/250064/fa

Makhanova, A., McNulty, J. K., Eckel, L. A., Nikonva, L., Maner, J. K. (2018). Sex differences in testosterone reactivity during marital conflict. Hormones and behavior, 105, 7-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.07.007

Martin, R. A. (2001). Sense of humor as a moderator of the relation between stressors and moods. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45 (6), 1313-1324. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.45.6.1313

Martin, R. A. (2010). The psychology of humor: An integrative approach. Elsevier. Academic Press publications visit our.

McGee, E., & Shevlin, M. (2009). Effect of humor on interpersonal attraction and mate selection. The Journal of Psychology, 143 (1). 67–77 https://doi.org/10.3200/JRLP.143.1.67-77

Mendes-Teixeira, A. I., & Duarte, C. (2021). Forgiveness and Marital Satisfaction: A Systematic Review. Psicologia: Ciência e Profissão, 41, e200730, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1590/19823703003200730

Mirseifi Fard, S., Fatollahzadeh L. N., Rostami M., & Darbani A S. (2017). The Effectiveness of Humor Training on Social Phobia Symptoms. Developmental Psychology: Iranian Psychologist, 14(53), 75-85. https://www.magiran.com/paper/1779106/the-effectiveness-of-humor-training-on-social-phobia-symptoms?lang=en

Neumann, A. P., Wanger, A., & Remor, E. (2018). Couple relationship education program “Living as partners”: Evaluation of effects on marital quality and conflict. Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica, 31, 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41155-018-0106-z

Parsakia, K., Farzad, V., & Rostami, M. (2023). The mediating role of attachment styles in the relationship between marital intimacy and self-differentiation in couples. Applied Family Therapy Journal, 4(1), 589-607. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.4.1.29

Pratham Majumder, P., Dorai, R., Gopinathan, D., Pal, A., Mozumder, A., & Mallik, S. (2024). Balancing Acts: A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Exploration of Psychological Factors in Marital Conflict and Intervention Strategies. Research Square, 15(5), 1-41. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3935051/v1

Rahimi, P., & Mousavi, A S. (2020). The effectiveness of emotion-focused education on sexual intimacy and interpersonal forgiveness of conflicting couples. Journal of Psychological Science. 19(86), 229-236. https://psychologicalscience.ir/browse.php?a_id=373&sid=1&slc_lang=en

Roberts, K., Jaurequi, M. E., Kimmes, J.G., Selice, L. (2021). Trait mindfulness and relationship satisfaction: The role of forgiveness among couples. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47 (1), 196. 207. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12440

Rye, M.S., Loiacono, D.M., Folck, C.D., Olszewski, B.T., Heim, T.A., & Madia, B.P. (2001). Evaluation of the psychometric properties of two forgiveness scales. Current psychology, 20(3), 260 -277. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1007/s12144 -001 - 1011 - 6

Saffarian Tosi, M., Savabi, M., Khouei Nejad, G. (2018). The Role of Mediatory Factors of Hope and Forgiveness in Personality Traits' Effect on Marital Satisfaction of Couples on the Verge of Divorce. Positive Psychology Research, 4(2), 71-85. https://doi.org/10.22108/ppls.2018.112974.1523

Saroglou, V., Lacour, C., & Demeure, M.-E. (2010). Bad humor, bad marriage: Humor styles in divorced and married couples. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 6 (3). 94–121. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v6i3.210

Schaefer M.T & Olson, D.H. (1981). Assessing intimacy: The pair inventory. Journal of marital and family therapy. 7, 47-60. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.1981.tb01351.x

Tawashi, Y., Tawashi, K., Beski, T., & Alhakeem, K. (2023). Exophthalmos and hemiheadache caused by osteoma in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone: an extremely rare case report. Annals of medicine and surgery, 85(5), 2052–2055. https://doi.org/10.1097/MS9.0000000000000504

Timofeiov-Tudose, I. G., & Măirean, C. (2023). Workplace humour, compassion, and professional quality of life among medical staff. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 14(1), 2158533. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2022.2158533

Ventura‐León, J., Lino‐Cruz, C., Tocto‐Muñoz, S., Sánchez‐Villena, A. R., Martínez‐Munive, R., Talledo‐Sánchez, K., & Casiano‐Valdivieso, K. (2025). The scale of myths of romantic love: Evidence of validity and reliability of a brief scale in Peru. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 51(1), e12741. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12741

Waring, E. M., & Patton, D. (1984). Marital intimacy and depression. British Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 641-644. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.145.6.641

Wilbur C. J., Campbell L. (2011). Humor in romantic contexts: Do men participate and women evaluate? Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 37(7), 918-29. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167211405343.

Yarigarravesh, M., & Hosseinizadeh, S. (2022). Prediction of marital conflicts based on intimacy between couples. 9th National Conference on Advances in Positive Psychology. https://civilica.com/doc/1641369

Yip, J. A., & Martin, R. A. (2006). Sense of humor, emotional intelligence, and social competence. Journal of Research in Personality, 40, 1202-1208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2005.08.005

Yoo, H., Bartle-Haring, S., Day, R. D., & Gangamm, R. (2014). Couple Communication, Emotional and Sexual Intimacy, and Relationship Satisfaction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 40(4), 275-293. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2012.751072

Zandi Pour, T., Azadi, Sh., & Nahid Pour, F. (2011). Investigation of the relationship between personality traits, forgiveness, and mental health in couples referring to Gachsaran health centers. Journal of Women’s Sociology, 2, 1–18. https://www.sid.ir/fa/journal/ViewPaper.aspx?id=18894 5

Zare Mirkabad, A., Ghorban Jahromi, R., Khademi Ashkzari, M., & Sheivandi Cholicheh, K. (2024). Codifying a Training Package of Islamic Happiness: Evaluating Its Efficacy on the Marital Adjustment and Resilience in Couples with Marital Conflict. Journal of Applied Psychological Research, 14(4), 1-19. https://japr.ut.ac.ir/jufile?ar_sfile=1568250&lang=en

Zeigler-Hill V, Besser A. (2013). Laughing at the looking glass: Does humor style serve as an interpersonal signal? Evolutionary Psychology, 11, 201-26. https://doi.org/10.1177/147470491301100118.

Ziroglu, N., Balin, H., Ucan, V., Bozdag, E., Kapicioglu, M., & Bilsel, K. (2023). Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of a Notched Insert Design for Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty to Prevent Scapular Notching. Indian journal of orthopaedics, 57(11), 1874–1880. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-023-00975-7