Power Dynamics in Marital Relationships: Elements of Power Balance and Its Psychological Consequences
Keywords:
Marital power balance, marital satisfaction, mental health, marital conflict, couple relationshipsAbstract
This study aimed to examine the role of power balance elements in predicting psychological outcomes among married couples in Tehran. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was conducted on 320 married couples selected through multistage cluster sampling in Tehran. Data were collected using the Marital Power Balance Questionnaire, Marital Satisfaction Scale, General Health Questionnaire, Anxiety and Depression Scales, and Marital Conflict Questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and structural equation modeling using SPSS and AMOS. All components of power balance showed significant positive relationships with marital satisfaction and mental health and significant negative relationships with anxiety, depression, and marital conflict (p<0.01). Regression analysis indicated that power balance variables explained 57% of the variance in marital satisfaction, with communication power and emotional influence as the strongest predictors. Structural model fit indices were acceptable (CFI=0.94, RMSEA=0.046). Power balance represents a core determinant of marital stability, significantly contributing to psychological well-being and conflict reduction, and should be considered a central focus in couple therapy interventions and family policy development.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Zohreh Zadhasan (Corresponding author); Ali Khodayarifar (Author)
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