DefinePK

Research Objective

To assess the role of gender and length of marriage in different attachment styles and types of emotional regulation used by individuals, and their impact on marital satisfaction.

Methodology

A quantitative study using self-report scales administered to 385 married individuals (males and females) residing in Peshawar, Pakistan. The scales used were the Experiences in Close-Relationships - Revised Questionnaire, ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Convenience sampling was employed.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A["Participant Recruitment Convenience Sampling"] --> B["Data Collection via Self-Report Scales"];
    B --> C["Data Analysis"t-tests, Correlations""];
    C --> D["Interpretation of Results"];
    D --> E["Conclusion and Implications"];                    

Discussion

The study discusses how gender differences in attachment styles (anxious and avoidant in females) and their association with lower marital satisfaction align with existing literature, particularly within the context of Pakistani culture. It also highlights the positive role of cognitive reappraisal and the negative role of expressive suppression in relation to marital satisfaction and length of marriage, suggesting that longer marriages may foster better emotion regulation.

Key Findings

- Females reported higher prevalence of anxious and avoidant attachment styles.
- Females scored significantly lower on marital satisfaction compared to males.
- Length of marriage was positively correlated with cognitive reappraisal strategy.
- Length of marriage was negatively correlated with expressive suppression strategy.
- Marital satisfaction was positively correlated with cognitive reappraisal.

Conclusion

Gender plays a significant role in attachment styles and marital satisfaction, with females exhibiting more insecure attachment and lower satisfaction. The duration of marriage is associated with more adaptive emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal) and less reliance on maladaptive ones (expressive suppression), which in turn positively influences marital satisfaction. These findings have implications for therapeutic interventions in marital counseling.

Fact Check

- The study included 385 married individuals. (Confirmed in Sample section)
- The ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale has 15 items. (Confirmed in Instruments section)
- The Experiences in Close-Relationships - Revised Questionnaire has 36 items. (Confirmed in Instruments section)

Mind Map