Predicting spousal conflict resolution strategies based on borderline personality disorder symptoms mediating by emotion regulation

The aim of the study was to Predicting spouse conflict resolution strategies based on borderline personality disorder symptoms mediating by rumination and thought suppression emotional regulation strategies.

The study design was a descriptive correlational type and the statistical population of this study was included all of the female and male married students of the Islamic Azad University of Karaj in 2019, 360 married students were selected by targeted sampling. Research Tools were Conflict Tactics Scale, Borderline Symptom List, Ruminative Response Scale and White Bear Suppression Inventory. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

The results of the present study showed that borderline personality disorder symptoms predict positively and significantly rumination and thought suppression emotion regulation strategies (β=0.879, P=0.004). Borderline personality disorder symptoms negatively and significantly predict spousal conflict resolution strategies (β=-0.488, P=0.007). Rumination and thought suppression emotion regulation strategies positively and significantly predict spousal conflict resolution strategies (β=0.706, P=0.005). Borderline personality disorder symptoms positively and significantly predict spousal conflict resolution strategies by mediating rumination and thought suppression emotion regulation strategies (β=0.620, P=0.005).

Successful suppression of unpleasant and negative emotions and disturbing thoughts and memories in the short term by using strategies such as distraction that are used in response to rumination, weakens the emotions and unpleasant thoughts, leading to more use of negotiation during marital conflicts.