The mediating role of self-differentiation in the relationship between resiliency and marital burnout in married women

Introduction: The relationship between resiliency and marital burnout has received both theoretical and empirical support. However, less is known about the mechanisms by which resiliency may influence marital burnout. Aim: The aim of present study was to investigate the mediating role of self-differentiation in the relationship between resiliency and marital burnout among married women in Tehran. Method: The research design was descriptive– correlational, where, 200 participants selected through available sampling. Couple burnout Scale (CBS), Conner and Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI) were coducted to collect data. Then collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and path analysis. Results: Path analysis results showed that resiliency had a significant negative direct effect on marital burnout (P <0. 01, ß = -0.212), whilst it had a significant positive direct effect on self – differentiation (P <0.01, ß = 0.459). Also, Path analysis showed that indirect effect of resiliency on marital burnout through self- differentiation (P <0.05, ß = -0.096) was significant. Conclusion: The present study highlighted the mediating role of self-differentiation as an underlying mechanism between resiliency and marital burnout. Therefore, developing self-differentiation in married women could be a good way to protect them in the face of adversities during marital life.