The Differentiation of Couples from the Original Family and Its Role in Predicting the Communication Patterns and Marital Satisfaction in Different Ethnic Groups in Iran

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of differentiation of couples from the original family in predicting the communication patterns and marital satisfaction in ethnic groups in Iran. In this descriptive-correlational study, the statistical population of the couples was Persian, Turkish, Kurd, Arab and Baluch. 250 couples (500 individuals) of the above statistical population who were composed of 50 couples of each ethnicity were selected through available sampling method and with the research tools including Hoffman's differentiation questionnaire (1984), Iranian Couple Interaction Coding System (2010) and ENRICH marital satisfaction questionnaire (1998) and were evaluated. The results showed that conflictual independence in men and emotional independence in women have demonstrated the largest contribution in theprediction of communication patterns and marital satisfaction of couples. Also in ethnicities, only in the Baluch men, conflictual independence was the predictor their marital satisfaction. A differentiated person in dealing with life's problems and has the ability to deal logically and rationally and can avoid emotional confrontation with issues. So these people have the ability to solve problems peacefully. The more differentiated a person is, the more he can lead his behavior thoughtfully and in accordance with the explicit principles.