Prediction of Marital Satisfaction Based on Couples’ Communication Quality and the Use of Communication Technologies

Rasul Rezaei Mollajegh; Fateme  Farahi; Seyedeh Tayebeh  Mousavi; Javad Mohammadi Sahebdivan

Authors

Rasul Rezaei Mollajegh Assistant Professor of Department of Psychology And Counselling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5546-9314
Fateme Farahi Master's Degree in family Ccounseling, University of Lameigorgani، Gorgan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4708-1137
Seyedeh Tayebeh Mousavi Master’s Graduate in Family Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9245-5880
Javad Mohammadi Sahebdivan Master’s Student in School Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4165-6254

Abstract

The present study aimed to predict marital satisfaction based on couples’ communication quality and the use of communication technologies among married individuals in Ardabil, Iran. This study was fundamental in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational with a predictive design in terms of methodology. The statistical population consisted of all married individuals residing in Ardabil in the Iranian year 1404, from whom 235 participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, the Couples’ Communication Skills Questionnaire, and a scale assessing the use of communication technologies. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between couples’ communication quality and marital satisfaction, whereas the use of communication technologies was significantly and negatively associated with marital satisfaction. The regression analysis further showed that couples’ communication quality and the use of communication technologies jointly explained 45.2% of the variance in marital satisfaction. Couples’ communication quality, with a standardized coefficient of β = 0.602, was the strongest positive predictor of marital satisfaction, whereas the use of communication technologies significantly and negatively predicted marital satisfaction. Overall, the findings suggest that the quality of couples’ interactions plays a more substantial role in marital satisfaction than the mere extent of technology use. Therefore, enhancing communication skills and promoting the mindful management of technology use during shared couple interactions may be beneficial components of counseling and marital relationship enrichment programs.