A Process-Oriented Model of Relationship Repair: The Role of Meta-Emotional Awareness in Reducing Couples’ Conflict Cycles
Keywords:
Meta-emotional awareness, marital conflict, relationship repair, couple therapy, emotion regulationAbstract
The objective of this study was to develop and test a process-oriented model explaining the role of meta-emotional awareness in reducing couples’ conflict cycles and enhancing relationship repair. This quantitative correlational–modeling study was conducted among married couples living in Tehran selected through multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using standardized measures of meta-emotional awareness, marital conflict cycles, and relationship repair. Data analysis employed Pearson correlation, path analysis, and structural equation modeling, and the mediating role of conflict cycles was tested using bootstrapping. Results indicated that meta-emotional awareness significantly and directly reduced conflict cycles (β = -0.53, p < 0.001) and increased relationship repair (β = 0.41, p < 0.001). Conflict cycles had a significant negative effect on relationship repair (β = -0.47, p < 0.001). The indirect effect of meta-emotional awareness on relationship repair through conflict cycles was significant (β = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.14–0.37). Meta-emotional awareness plays a central regulatory role in couples’ conflict dynamics and sustainable relationship repair and represents a critical target for couple therapy interventions.
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