Modeling the relationship between relational mindfulness and couple intimacy with the mediation of empathy

EsmzamaniAghmiouni, Sepideh; Rasouli, Roya; Taheri, Azadeh

Volume 18, Issue 4 (Volume18, Issue 4 2025) 2025, 18(4): 0-0 | Back to browse issues page

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EsmzamaniAghmiouni S, Rasouli R, Taheri A. Modeling the relationship between relational mindfulness and couple intimacy with the mediation of empathy. Journal title 2025; 18 (4)
URL: http://rph.khu.ac.ir/article-1-4599-en.html

Modeling the relationship between relational mindfulness and couple intimacy with the mediation of empathy

Sepideh EsmzamaniAghmiouni

, Roya Rasouli¹

, Azadeh Taheri

1- , Rasouli@gmail.com

Abstract: (443 Views)

The aim of the present study was to examine the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between relational mindfulness and marital intimacy. Given the fundamental impact of marital relationships on individual and social mental health, identifying factors that enhance the quality and intimacy of these relationships is of paramount importance. This descriptive-correlational study targeted the entire population of married students at the University of Tehran during the academic year 2022-2023. A sample of 300 married students (both male and female) was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using three validated questionnaires: the Marital Intimacy Questionnaire (Vandenbroek & Werten, 1995), the Empathy Scale (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2006), and the Relational Mindfulness Scale (Kims et al., 2018). The data were analyzed using SPSS26 and AMOS24 through structural equation modeling. The results indicated a significant and positive relationship between relational mindfulness and empathy (β = 0.27, p < 0.001). Additionally, empathy was significantly and positively related to marital intimacy (β = 0.36, p < 0.001), and a positive and significant relationship was found between relational mindfulness and marital intimacy (β = 0.17, p < 0.002). Comparing the direct and full models revealed that empathy plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between relational mindfulness and marital intimacy. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the role of empathy and mindfulness in enhancing marital intimacy and can serve as a foundation for designing psychological interventions aimed at improving marital relationships.

Keywords: Couple intimacy, Empathy, Relational Mindfulness