Explaining the Causal Relationship Between Self-Differentiation and Marital Burnout in Women Who Have Experienced Marital Infidelity: The Mediating Role of Psychological Distress

Mahbeygom Alaee; Farideh Dokanehi Fard; Alireza Pirkhaefi

Authors

Mahbeygom Alaee Ph.D. Student in Department of Counseling, Ki.C., Islamic Azad University, Kish, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8645-4747
Farideh Dokanehi Fard Faculty member of Associate Professor, Ro.C., Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5922-3119
Alireza Pirkhaefi Associate Professor of Psychology Department, Ga.C., Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0451-4095

Keywords:

self-differentiation, psychological distress, marital burnout, marital infidelity

Abstract

Exposure to marital betrayal and infidelity constitutes a traumatic crisis that can erode psychological functioning and disrupt the emotional bond between spouses. The present study aimed to explain the causal relationship between self-differentiation and marital burnout through the mediating role of psychological distress among women who had experienced marital infidelity by their spouses. This study employed a descriptive-correlational design based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all married women who had experienced marital infidelity and attended counseling centers and psychological service clinics in Tehran during the 2025–2026 academic year. From this population, a sample of 252 participants was selected using convenience sampling. The research instruments included the Differentiation of Self Inventory (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), and the Couple Burnout Measure (Pines, 1996). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that the hypothesized model demonstrated an acceptable fit to the empirical data and that the variables included in the model significantly accounted for variations in marital burnout and psychological distress. Self-differentiation had a significant negative effect on both marital burnout and psychological distress. Furthermore, psychological distress had a significant positive effect on marital burnout. The mediation analysis also confirmed that psychological distress played a significant mediating role in the relationship between self-differentiation and marital burnout. Based on the findings, lower levels of self-differentiation may intensify psychological distress and thereby contribute to increasing exhaustion and burnout in the marital relationships of women affected by infidelity. Therefore, strengthening the components of self-differentiation and reducing symptoms of psychological distress may constitute effective strategies in clinical interventions and couple therapy aimed at reducing marital burnout among victims of marital infidelity.

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