The Evaluation of the structural equation model of factors affecting on marital intimacy in newlywed couples

The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the structural equation model of factors influencing marital intimacy in newlywed couples. The present study used a quantitative approach. The study employed a developmental research design using descriptive correlational method and path analysis. The statistical population of the present study included all the couples who participated in the marriage workshops of the Ministry of Social Justice and the Ministry of Sports and Youth of Shahrekord in the summer of 2019. The research sample included 200 couples (M=200 & F=200) who were selected by the convenience sampling method. The couples completed the Couples Intimacy, Marital Empathy, Self-Disclosure, and Marital Trust Questionnaires. The results showed that there is a significant and positive relationship between empathy and its components, self-disclosure and its components, and trust in marital intimacy (p<05). Furthermore, when investigating the modeling of the research variables with marital intimacy, the results showed that, with the mediating role of trust, self-disclosure and empathy are able to predict marital intimacy. Finally, regarding the results of the study, it can be said that exploring components affecting couples' intimacy can be important in improving the quality of their relationship and is effective in developing practical plans to improve the newlywed couples' relationship.