Predicting Family Stability Based on Emotion Regulation and Sexual Self-Efficacy: The Mediating Role of Marital Intimacy

Background: Consolidating families is a crucial strategy that can enhance and ultimately solidify marital relationships. Factors such as emotions, personality traits, and interpersonal intimacy significantly influence family stability, contributing to mental health promotion and overall societal happiness. Thus, this study aims to predict family stability through emotional regulation and sexual self-efficacy while examining the mediating role of marital intimacy. Methods: This descriptive-correlational research targeted all married individuals in Yazd City (with a minimum of five years marriage) in 2022. A total of 200 participants were selected using convenience sampling methods. The study employed questionnaires assessing family stability(Low scores in the family stability questionnaire indicate greater stability), sexual self-efficacy, emotion regulation, and marital intimacy. Data analysis was conducted using Amos and SPSS software packages. Results: The findings revealed that there was no statistically significant relationship between cognitive reappraisal and suppression considering family stability (p > 0.05). Conversely, a significant negative correlation was found between family stability and sexual self-efficacy (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a positive and significant association was between sexual self-efficacy and cognitive reappraisal, while a negative and significant correlation was observed between marital intimacy and suppression (p < 0.05). Sexual self-efficacy demonstrated a significant direct negative impact on family stability (β = -0.22). In addition, both sexual self-efficacy (β = 0.16) and cognitive reappraisal (β = 0.66) exhibited significant and direct positive effects, whereas suppression (β = -0.46) had a significant direct and negative effect on marital intimacy. Conclusion: Enhancing sexual self-efficacy along with marital intimacy and effective emotion regulation among couples can create favorable conditions for family stability and  consolidation, marking an important advancement in promoting lasting marital relationships. Keywords: Emotion regulation, Family, marriage, , Sexual Behavior,  Self-efficacy, Marital intimacy

Predicting Family Stability Based on Emotion Regulation and Sexual Self-Efficacy: The Mediating Role of Marital Intimacy Keywords:

Emotion regulation , Family , marriage , Sexual Behavior , Self-efficacy , Marital intimacy