The relationship between marital satisfaction and mindfulness in couples: the mediating role of theory of mind

New theoretical perspectives have begun to shift the study of the characteristics of mindfulness beyond individual processes to interpersonal romantic relationships. The viability of these goals may be contingent on the underlying assumption that higher trait mindfulness is associated with beneficial outcomes such as relationship satisfaction. This research was conducted with the aim of developing a model of marital satisfaction based on mindfulness with the mediating role of theory of mind in couples. The research method was descriptive and correlational. The sample consisted of 500 people (250 couples) from working couples in Tehran in 1401, who were selected by proportional stratified sampling method (departments). Data were collected using Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaires (1989), Freiberg's mindfulness (2006) and Cohen's theory of mind (2001). Structural equation modeling, multivariate regression analysis and variance analysis were used for data analysis. Data processing and hypothesis testing were done using SPSSV25 and AMOSV26 software. The results obtained from structural equation modeling indicate a direct and significant effect of mindfulness on theory of mind (β=0.350, p=0.001), mindfulness on marital satisfaction (p<0.001, β=0.710). β), theory of mind was on marital satisfaction (p<0.001, β=0.451). Also, their results showed that theory of mind plays a mediating role in the relationship between mindfulness and marital satisfaction of couples (p<0.001, β=0.107). Mindfulness is directly and indirectly related to the mediation of theory of mind with couples' marital satisfaction. Therefore, planning to increase the level of mindfulness and theory of mind of couples can increase their satisfaction with married life and improve the family structure.