Investigating the Mediating Role of Guilt in the Association between Brain-behavioral Inhibition Systems and Marital Commitment in College Students

Background: Marital commitment is the strongest and most stable predictor of the quality and stability of marital relationships.Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the mediating role of guilt in the association between brain behavioral inhibition and marital commitment among college students. Methods: The present study is a practical correlational research project. The target population consisted of all married students at the Faculty of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Iran, during the academic year 2022-2023. A convenience sampling method was used to select 130 married female students. The data collection tools were Dimensions of Commitment Inventory, The Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Systems Scales, and Interpersonal Correlates of the Guilt Inventory. The researchers used SPSS software (version 27) to conduct descriptive statistics and SmartPLS software (version 4) to examine data trends and relationships between variables.Results: According to the findings, brain behavioral inhibition was found to have a detrimental impact on marital commitment (β=-0.284; P=0.002). In a similar vein, brain behavioral inhibition had a favorable impact on sin (β=0.200: P=0.044) and on state guilt (β=0.243: P=0.005). Nonetheless, brain behavioral inhibition had a negative impact on ethical standards (β=-0.341; P<0.001). However, none of the indirect interactions involving the guilt component were deemed significant. Conclusion: The results indicated that focusing on the impact of behavioral inhibition system activity and guilt is crucial in enhancing the bond between partners, particularly married women and students, and developing effective therapeutic strategies.

Investigating the Mediating Role of Guilt in the Association between Brain-behavioral Inhibition Systems and Marital Commitment in College Students Keywords:

Brain-behavioral inhibition system , College students , Guilt , Marital commitment