International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

The Relationship of Emotional Flexibility and Kindness with Marital Burnout: The Chain Mediating Role of "We-ness" and Couples' Flourishing

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ahmad Mazhabdar
Mohammadreza Tamannaeifar
Nooshin Safaeian
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran
10.30491/ijbs.2025.527389.2243
Abstract
Introduction: The current research investigates the chain mediating role of we-ness and couple flourishing in the relationship of emotional flexibility and kindness with marital burnout.
Method: This investigation is a correlational one conducted through structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of the married students at the University of Kashan. Based on Soper's formula, 297 participants were selected using convenience sampling. They completed the Emotional Flexibility Scale, Marital Burnout Measure, We-ness Scale, and Flourishing Scale. The data analysis was performed with the SPSS-28 and AMOS-28 software.
Results: The results of the analysis revealed that the correlations of emotional flexibility, kindness, we-ness, and flourishing with marital burnout were negative and significant. Also, the correlation of emotional flexibility and kindness with we-ness and that of we-ness with flourishing were positive and significant (p < .01). Furthermore, the indirect effects of emotional flexibility and kindness on marital burnout, mediated by we-ness and flourishing, were negative and significant (p < .001).
Conclusion: Emotional flexibility and kindness, as personality strengths, can efficiently contribute to the prevention of marital burnout by enhancing we-ness and couple flourishing.
 
Keywords
Marital Burnout
Emotional Flexibility
Kindness
We-ness
Flourishing
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 19, Issue 3
Autumn 2025
Pages 140-146