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Dehghani Ashkezari E, Farzin Rad B, Kahdouei S. Predicting Psychological Vulnerability Based on Couples’ Communication Patterns. MEJDS 2020; 10 :198-198
URL: http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-1782-en.html
1- Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch
2- Iran University of Medical Sciences
3- Imam Javad University of Yazd
Abstract:   (1929 Views)
Background & Objectives: The community’s mental health plays a major role in ensuring its dynamism; however, this phenomenon is at risk due to the high prevalence of psychological vulnerability in individuals. Family determines the social attitudes and proficiencies of its members; interactions within the family impact their mental health. A linchpin in demonstrating the formation of a family is the couples' communication patterns on which the couple's interactions are based. As a result, it can significantly influence the psychological wellbeing of family and society members. According to the foregoing matters as well as the high prevalence of psychological vulnerability in the community, it is essential to consider the relevant fundamental factors. Considering the connection between the couples' interactions and psychological vulnerability, this research was conducted to predict psychological vulnerability based on couples' communication patterns.
Methods: This was a descriptive and correlational study. The statistical population of the research was all married clients referring to the counseling and psychotherapy centers of Yazd City, Iran, in 2018. In total, 260 subjects were selected as the study samples by the multistage cluster sampling method. The inclusion criteria of the research were couples who have been married for at least one year and referring to counseling centers for at least one time in 2018. Being educated below a middle school degree was also considered as the exclusion criterion. To collect the required information, two tools were used. The first questionnaire was a Symptoms Check List–90–Revised (Derogatis et al., 1976), which included 90 questions and 9 components. The second questionnaire was the couples' communication patterns (Christensen & Sullaway, 1984) with 35 questions and 3 components, including mutual constructive communication pattern, demand/withdrawal communication pattern, and mutual avoidance communication pattern. To analyze the collected data, the descriptive statistical methods were used, including mean, standard deviation, and distribution indicators; we also applied inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis at the significance level of 0.05 in SPSS.
Results: There was a significant negative relationship between psychological vulnerability and mutual constructive communication pattern (r=–0.2, p<0.001); the relationship between demand/withdrawal communication pattern (r=0.362, p<0.001) and mutual avoidance communication pattern (r=0.257, p<0.001) was positive. The multiple linear regression analysis by the simultaneous method suggested that demand/withdrawal communication pattern were positively (β=0.381, p<0.001) and mutual constructive communication patterns were negatively (β=–0.232, p<0.001) able to predict psychological vulnerability; however, mutual avoidance communication pattern failed to predict psychological vulnerability (β=0.102, p=0.137). Altogether, the model predicted 18% of psychological vulnerability changes; thus, this model was of a low prediction capability.
Conclusion: Considering the results, the existence of demand/withdrawal communication patterns among couples will increase psychological vulnerability; however, it is less among couples who apply mutual constructive communication patterns in their relationships. Therefore, to maintain psychological health in couples, it is necessary to pay more attention to their compatibility and problem–solving skills.
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Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Psychology

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