:: Volume 14, Issue 2 (June-July 2026) ::
IJPN 2026, 14(2): 1-11 Back to browse issues page
The mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between differentiation and marital stability in women affected by infidelity
Samira Borj Khanlou , Beheshteh Niusha * , Mohammad Reza Bayat
Department of Psychology, Sav.C., Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran. , Beheshteh.niusha@iau.ac.ir
Abstract:   (1353 Views)
Introduction: Loss of marital stability is considered a major consequence of marital infidelity. Identifying the variables related to and explaining marital stability can provide a clearer understanding of the factors that sustain marital stability in women affected by marital infidelity. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between relationship differentiation and marital stability in women affected by infidelity.
Methods: The research method was a descriptive-correlational structural modeling study. The statistical population included Iranian women affected by marital infidelity who referred to psychiatric centers in Saveh in 2023-2024, of which 370 people were selected as samples through purposive sampling. The research instruments included the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSS) by Cohen et al. (1983), the Marital Stability Index (MII) by Edward et al. (1987), and the and the differentiation Self Inventory (DSI) by Skowron and Friedlander (1998). Data analysis was performed using structural equation analysis and two statistical analysis software: SPSS version 25 and AMOS version 24.
Results: The results showed a significant direct effect of differentiation on perceived stress and marital stability, as well as a direct effect of perceived stress on marital stability (P < 0.01). The results also indicated an indirect effect of differentiation on marital stability mediated by perceived stress (P<0.01).
Conclusion: These results indicate that counselors and couple therapists, in an effort to understand the variables affecting the stability of the marital life of betrayed women in couple therapy centers, can pay attention to the role of perceived stress with regard to their differentiation
Keywords: marital stability, marital infidelity, Perceived stress, differentiation
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Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2026/02/5 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/07/1 | ePublished: 2026/07/1



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Volume 14, Issue 2 (June-July 2026) Back to browse issues page