Successful marriage

Marriage is a critical stage in life that facilitates identification. Various components such as self-differentiation or cognitive emotion regulation affect marriage. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between successful marriage and self-differentiation by considering the mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation. This study was a descriptive correlational study of structural equations. The statistical population of the study was married men and women in Tehran that 635 people were selected using cluster and available sampling methods the cluster sampling method in the period of summer (2019) to summer (2020). To collect the data of this study, Hudson Successful Marriage Index Questionnaire(1992), Garnefski, Critch and Spinhaven Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire(2001), Skowron and Friedlander Self-Differentiation Questionnaire(2003) were used. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed in two descriptive and inferential sections using statistical tests and the structural equation approach by SPSS and AMOS software. The results showed that the independent variables of self-differentiation is related to the cognitive regulation of emotion and successful marriage (P> 0.001) , and emotion regulation plays a mediating role in the relationship between self-differentiation with a successful marriage. Since cognitive emotion regulation skills are one of the most effective individual factors in a successful marriage and family stability, Therefore, the role of training these strategies as well as self-differentiation is very important and requires more attention from counselors and stakeholders.

Objective: This study aims to identify the criteria for a successful marriage through a qualitative approach using grounded theory methodology. Methods: This qualitative study employed grounded theory with a systematic approach. Participants included 12 married individuals from Iran, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews, analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding following Strauss and Corbin’s method. Lincoln and Guba’s criteria for trustworthiness were applied to ensure the reliability of findings. Findings: The study identified five paradigms: central factors, causal factors, contextual factors, facilitating factors, and outcomes, encompassing 11 main categories, 21 subcategories, and 45 initial codes. The central category of "couple interactions" included emotional regulation, mutual understanding, intimacy, commitment, and satisfaction as key indicators of a successful marriage. Causal factors included initial attraction, emotional maturity, and family interactions during courtship, while facilitating factors highlighted family support. Contextual factors such as economic, cultural, familial, and individual aspects were also significant. Conclusion: The findings emphasize that successful marriages are influenced by a combination of individual, relational, and contextual factors. Practical applications include incorporating these insights into premarital counseling, marital therapy, and educational programs to promote emotional well-being, mutual understanding, and satisfaction in marital relationships.