Investigating the relative contribution of brain-behavioral systems in the marital satisfaction of married women in Urmia, Iran

Marital satisfaction and the related factors are some of the issues raised in psychology and family. The present study was performed with the purpose of investigating the relative contribution of brain-behavioral systems to the marital satisfaction of married women in Urmia City.

This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was performed on 220 married women living in Urmia, selected through cluster sampling. In addition to the demographic variables questionnaire, the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS) and Behavioral Inhibition/Activation Systems Scale (BIS/BAS) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 statistical software and descriptive statistical tests (mean and standard deviation, frequency and percentage), and analytical methods (Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple linear regression) at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.

Behavioral inhibition/activation systems have a significant effect (ß = 0.388) on marital satisfaction, and the fitness indices of the model showed the adequacy of the presented model, and marital satisfaction has a negative relationship with age, duration of marriage, and spouse's employment. There was a positive relationship between the age of marriage, the couple's education level, the spouse's illness, and leisure time.

The results of this study indicate that the brain-behavioral system is the most significant contributor to marital satisfaction and plays an essential role in improving relationships between couples. Therefore, it is recommended that psychologists pay attention to the importance and impact of these variables in the treatment and promotion of couples’ marital satisfaction in counseling and awareness programs.