Compilation a structural equation model of resilience based on self-differentiation and cognitive emotion regulation with the mediation of marital intimacy in married female nurses working in health centers and public hospitals in Karaj (2022)

Volume 14, 3-4
October 2025
Pages 21-29

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate in Counseling, Counseling Department, Saveh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran

2 Professor, Counseling Department, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Kharazmi University, Karaj, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Kharazmi University, Karaj, Iran

Abstract
Introduction: Resilience is recognized as a critical construct underpinning individuals’ capacity to withstand occupational, social, and marital adversities. It functions as a fundamental personality dimension essential for understanding motivation, emotional regulation, and behavioral adaptation. Consequently, identifying predictors of resilience holds substantial theoretical and practical significance. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of explaining the conceptual model of the mediating role of marital intimacy in the relationship between self-differentiation and cognitive-emotional regulation with resilience.
Method and Materials: The present study employed a foundational research design with a descriptive-correlational approach, utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze data. The target population comprised all married female nurses employed in governmental healthcare and hospital centers across Alborz Province in 2022. A sample of 400 participants was selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected using standardized instruments including the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003), the short form of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire by Garnefski and Kraaij (2006), the revised short form of the Differentiation of Self Inventory by Skowron and Smith (2003), and the Marital Intimacy Questionnaire by Bargarozi (2001). Data analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24. Model fit indices indicated an adequate fit of the conceptual model to the empirical data. The mediating role of marital intimacy and spousal compatibility in the relationship between cognitive emotion regulation, self-differentiation, and resilience was empirically supported.
Results: Descriptive statistics including standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis for the variables were within acceptable ranges: cognitive emotion regulation (SD=19.680, skewness=-0.195, kurtosis=-0.905), self-differentiation (SD=20.686, skewness=0.212, kurtosis=-0.941), marital intimacy (SD=89.597, skewness=-0.887, kurtosis=-0.019), and resilience (SD=30.055, skewness=-0.202, kurtosis=-1.131). SEM analyses confirmed the significant mediating effects of marital intimacy and compatibility on the pathways linking cognitive flexibility, self-differentiation, and cognitive emotion regulation with resilience.
Conclusion: Given the pivotal role of cognitive, emotional, and relational factors in fostering resilience, it is recommended that healthcare administrators and policymakers implement targeted interventions addressing these domains to enhance resilience among married female nurses.
 

Keywords

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