The Mediating Role of We-ness in the Relationship between Primary Object Relations and Ego Strength with Marital Stability

Arabsalmani, Gholamreza; Vaziri, Shahram; Monirpour, Nader

doi:10.22034/jmp.2026.566048.1164

The Mediating Role of We-ness in the Relationship between Primary Object Relations and Ego Strength with Marital Stability

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Gholamreza Arabsalmani ¹

Shahram Vaziri ²

Nader Monirpour ³

¹ Ph.D. in Counseling, Department of Psychology, Qo.C., Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Medical Branch, Tehran, Iran

³ Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Qo.C., Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran

10.22034/jmp.2026.566048.1164

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to investigate the factors influencing marital stability, considering the mediating role of we-ness.
Methods: The research method was descriptive-correlational study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) and and the statistical population was all married individuals residing in Varamin and Pishva cities in 2025. Using a purposive sampling method, 388 participants were selected. Data was collected using the following standardized questionnaires: the Marital Instability Index (MII), the Bell Object Relations Inventory (BORI), the Ego Strength Scale (ESS), and the We-ness Questionnaire (WQ). Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling and correlation tests.
Results: The final model demonstrated an acceptable fit to the data, with indices such as RMSEA = 0.076 and CFI = 0.899. All observed variables loaded significantly onto their respective latent constructs, with factor loadings exceeding 0.3 (p < .05). In addition, the mediating role of we-ness in the indirect relationship between primary object relations and ego strength with marital stability was confirmed.
Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of primary object relations and ego strength, as well as the key role of we-ness as an influential mechanism on marital stability. Consequently, designing educational interventions for parents (particularly mothers) focusing on primary object relations and fostering a sense of we-ness could contribute to enhanced marital durability.

Keywords

Attachment

Ego Strength

Marital Correlation

Marital Stability

Parent-Child Relationships

Subjects

Personality Psychology

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