The Inter-Structural Relationships between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Marital Commitment of Couples: The Mediating Role of Communication Patterns

Background: Marital commitment has been identified as one of the effective components in the development and stability of marital relationships. This study aimed to investigate the inter-structural relationships between early maladaptive schemas and marital commitment mediated by communication patterns in couples. Methods: This correlational study was performed on married students of Mashhad Islamic Azad University with more than 3 years of marital life in 2019-2020. 300 people participated according to the research statistical method based on hidden variables. Data were collected using Adams and Jones Marital Commitment Questionnaire (1997), Young Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnaire (1998), and Christensen and Sullaway Communication Patterns Questionnaire (1984). Data analysis was performed by the structural equation method. Results: The results of path coefficients revealed that the direct effect of early maladaptive schemas on communication patterns is positive and significant (P≤0.01, g=0.71) and its effect on marital commitment is negative and significant (Pvalue≤0.01, g=-0.45). Also, the direct effect of communication patterns on marital commitment is significant and negative (Pvalue≤0.01, ß=-0.41). Examining of standardized coefficients of indirect effects showed that the indirect effect of early maladaptive schemas on marital commitment is significant with the mediating role of communication patterns (Pvalue<0.01, IF=-0.51). The explained variance of marital commitment in terms of early maladaptive schemas and communication patterns was equal to 0.59. Conclusions: According to the results, communication patterns act as a mediating variable in the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and marital commitment. Furthermore, two variables of communication patterns and early maladaptive schemas can predict marital commitment.