The Relationship Between Marital Intimacy, Mindfulness, and Parent–Child Relationship with Strengthening the Family Foundation Among Women in Mashhad: The Mediating Role of Communication Skills

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mitra Porkhaje ¹

Hadi Gholammohammadi ²

Mahmood Azadi ³

¹ M.A. in Family Counseling, Department of Counselling, Hekmat Razavi Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Counselling, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Counselling, Hekmat Razavi Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran

10.22067/tpccp.2026.93848.1797

Abstract

Introduction
Recent changes in the composition of the family unit have been shown to have far-reaching ramifications, with the potential to precipitate its dissolution (Mohammadi et al., 2022). Therefore, given the importance of the family in human societies, steps must be taken to prevent disintegration and strengthen its foundation. The concept of strengthening the foundation of the family means paying attention to the importance and strength of the family and creating a healthy and safe family condition. This process consists of four dimensions: The four components of family research, as delineated by Abbasi et al. (2024), are as follows: 1) family formation (marriage), 2) family continuity (relationships between spouses, themselves, and their families), 3) family development (relationships between parents, children, and relatives), and 4) around the family (family-related issues). Research indicates that marital intimacy plays an important role in the continuity and success of married life (Baghere et al., 2022). One of the variables associated with marital intimacy is mindfulness. According to Mahmoudpour et al. (2020), the results of a study indicated a positive relationship between mindfulness and marital intimacy. In this regard, mindfulness has been identified as a contributing factor to the stability of marital relationships (Tashkeh et al., 2024). Another variable associated with marital stability is the parent-child relationship. Research history indicates a negative relationship between the parent-child relationship and marital conflict (Lucas-Thompson & Granger, 2014). Another salient issue that appears to play a fundamental role in fortifying the foundation of the family is the issue of communication skills. A body of research has been conducted on the impact of communication skills training on various aspects of marital relationships. These studies have indicated that such training can enhance marital satisfaction (Azarnik et al., 2022), marital intimacy (Jaberi et al., 2016), mitigate marital burnout (Bigdelimojarad et al., 2020), and alleviate marital conflicts (Amani & Letafati Beriss, 2013). In light of the aforementioned points, the present study aims to address the following research question: Is there a relationship between intimacy, mindfulness, and the parent-child relationship with communication skills serving as a mediating factor in strengthening the family foundation?
 
Method
This was a descriptive-correlational study that employed structural equation modeling. The statistical population comprised all married women who had referred to three counseling clinics in Mashhad (N = 300) in 2023. Among the referring individuals, 160 women were selected. The sampling method employed in this study was available, and after meeting the research conditions (entry criteria; minimum education of diploma, age range 25 to 55 years, willingness to participate in the research, having children, at least five years of cohabitation, and exclusion criteria; including psychological disorders, decision to separate, and severe marital conflicts), participants were invited to cooperate and complete the questionnaires. The data collection instruments included Marital intimacy questionnaire (Brook et al., 1995), Mindful attention awareness scale (Brown and Ryan, 2003), Parent child relationship scale (Pianta, 1994), strengthening the family foundation questionnaire (Pourmovah et al., 2018), and communication skills scale (Jarabak, 2004). The analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25 and SmartPLS software.
Findings
The findings demonstrated a positive and significant relationship between marital intimacy (B= 0.115, t= 4.069, P≤0.000), mindfulness (B= 0.239, T= 3.664, P≤0.000), parent-child relationship (B= 0.296, T= 5.585, P≤0.000), and communication skills (B= 0.359, T= 5.092, P≤0.000) with strengthening the family foundation. Moreover, the findings demonstrated that communication skills serve a mediating role in the relationship between marital intimacy, mindfulness, and parent-child relationships with strengthening the family foundation (P<0.05).
Discussion & Conclusion
The present study sought to examine the mediating role of communication skills in the relationship between marital intimacy, mindfulness, and parent-child relationships with strengthening the family foundation in women. The initial segment of the results indicated the mediating role of communication skills in the relationship between marital intimacy and the strengthening of the family foundation in women. This result aligns with the findings reported in the studies conducted by Nematzadeh Gatabi et al. (2020), Johnson et al. (2022), and Khalfi and Honarmand (2023). A close examination of these results reveals that intimacy plays a pivotal role in the adjustment of couples. The utilization of communication skills in expressing intimacy can serve as a preventative measure against damage to the family foundation (Mohaddesi & Yusofi, 2010). Therefore, it is recommended that marital intimacy be promoted among women through the cultivation of communication skills. In the second part, the results indicated the mediating role of communication skills in the relationship between mindfulness and strengthening the family foundation. This result aligns with the findings of studies conducted by Rajabi et al. (2022) and Ramezanpour Geliyard et al. (2024). A thorough examination of this result reveals that by cultivating these abilities, an individual transcends his thoughts and feelings, attaining the capacity to scrutinize and select from a range of options within the constructed environment, with the liberty to respond in a manner that aligns with their preferences. Consequently, he engages in constructive communication patterns within the family, thereby fostering enhanced family cohesion and stability (Gambrel & Keeling, 2010). Therefore, it is recommended to assist in enhancing women's mindfulness through the implementation of communication skills training. The third section demonstrated the mediating role of communication skills in the relationship between the parent-child relationship and the strengthening of the family foundation. This finding is consistent with the results of the studies of I'tesami-Pur et al. (2020) and Mollazadehnooran et al. (2021). In elucidating this finding, it is acknowledged that familial dynamics, encompassing the nature of the parent-child relationship, exert a substantial influence on the health and development of children. Researchers posit that the manner in which parents communicate with their children is a pivotal factor in determining the biological, psychological, and social well-being of children (Jonynas & Kern, 2012). Consequently, the enhancement of communication skills among parents is posited as a means of fostering enhanced parent-child relationships and strengthening the family foundation.

Keywords

Marital intimacy

mindfulness

parent-child relationship

communication skills

strengthening the family foundation

Subjects

• Family and Marriage

---

References

Abareshi, Z., Tahmasian, K., Mazaheri, M. A., & Panaghi, L. (2009). The impact of psychosocial Child Development training program, done through improvement of mother-child interaction, on parental self-efficacy and relationship between mother and child under three. http://rph.khu.ac.ir/article-1-115-fa.html

Abbasi, R., Pourjabali, R., & Zolghadr, K. (2024). Cultural and psycho-social factors related to the consolidation of the family foundation. Military Psychology, 15(1), 165-187. https://doi.org/https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.25885162.1403.15.1.8.0

Adamczyk, K., & Segrin, C. (2016). The mediating role of romantic desolation and dating anxiety in the association between interpersonal competence and life satisfaction among polish young adults. Journal of adult development, 23, 1-10. https://doi.org/ https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/ /10.1007/s10804-015-9216-3

Amani, A., & Letafati Beriss, R. (2013). The effectiveness of group training in communication skills in decreasing marital conflicts. Biannual Journal of Applied Counseling, 3(2), 17-36. https://jac.scu.ac.ir/article_10670.html?lang=en

Azarnik, M., Rafiepoor, A., Hatami, M., & Mousavi, M. S. (2022). The Effectiveness of Communication Skills Training on Marital Satisfaction of Female Students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Journal of Health System Research, 18(2), 154-160. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.48305/jhsr.v18i2.1459

Baghere, S., Pasha, R., Eftekhar, Z., Hafezi, F., & Nadri, F. (2022). The effectiveness of couple therapy based on integrated behavioral system on marital conflicts, couple intimacy and family functions in couples referring to counseling centers. Psychological Models and Methods, 13(47), 1-14. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30495/jpmm.2022.26752.3265

Baharvand, I., Sodani, M., & Abaspour, Z. (2021). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on parent-child conflict and bullying in single mother-headed adolescents. Iranian Journal of Family Psychology, 6(1), 69-80. https://doi.org/10.29252/ijfp.6.1.69

Baran, C. N., & Sanders, J. J. (2019). Communication Skills: Delivering Bad News, Conducting a Goals of Care Family Meeting, and Advance Care Planning. Primary care, 46(3), 353-372. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2019.05.003

Bigdelimojarad, F., Foumany, G. E., & Hejazi, M. (2020). The effectiveness of sex therapy based on Cognitive-Behavioral (Sexual Relationship) training on reducing marital burnout and increasing marital quality of married nurses. Iranian Journal of Nursing Research (IJNR) Original Article, 15(4). . http://ijnr.ir/article-1-2366-fa.html

Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of personality and social psychology, 84(4), 822. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822

Chayadi, E., Baes, N., & Kiropoulos, L. (2022). The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cancer-related fatigue in oncology patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS one, 17(7), e0269519. https://doi.org/. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269519

Ciprić, A., Hald, G. M., Strizzi, J. M., Lange, T., Austin, D., Sander, S., & Øverup, C. S. (2022). The future of divorce support: Is “digital” enough in presence of conflict? Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48(4), 1128-1146. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12588

Driscoll, K., & Pianta, R. C. (2011). Mothers' and Fathers' Perceptions of Conflict and Closeness in Parent-Child Relationships during Early Childhood. Journal of Early Childhood & Infant Psychology(7). https://doi.org/https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-00755-001

Du Rocher Schudlich, T. D., & Cummings, E. M. (2007). Parental dysphoria and children’s adjustment: Marital conflict styles, children’s emotional security, and parenting as mediators of risk. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 35, 627-639. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-007-9118-3

Fazaeli, T., Heydari, H., & Hamidipour, R. (2024). The relationship between marital satisfaction and mindfulness in couples: the mediating role of theory of mind. The Women and Families Cultural-Educational, 19(67), 103-128. https://doi.org/https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.26454955.1403.19.67.5.6.

Gallegos, M. L., Segrin, C., & Thompson, A. (2023). Parent-child relationships and the health of incarcerated mothers: exploring the mediating role of loneliness. Health Communication, 38(7), 1442-1453. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2021.2012014

Gambrel, L. E., & Keeling, M. L. (2010). Relational aspects of mindfulness: Implications for the practice of marriage and family therapy. Contemporary Family Therapy, 32, 412-426. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10591-010-9129-z

Ghorbani, N., Watson, P., & Weathington, B. L. (2009). Mindfulness in Iran and the United States: Cross-cultural structural complexity and parallel relationships with psychological adjustment. Current psychology, 28, 211-224. https://doi.org/https://awspntest.apa.org/doi/10.1007/s12144-009-9060-3.

Goldberg, S. B., Anders, C., Stuart-Maver, S. L., & Kivlighan III, D. M. (2023). Meditation, mindfulness, and acceptance methods in psychotherapy: A systematic review. Psychotherapy Research, 33(7), 873-885. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2023.2209694

Hasanzadeh Pashang, S., Dabir Moghadam, M., Sharifian, M., & Saffarinia, M. (2014). The effectiveness of Couple\'s Communication Program Training on life quality and marriage intimacy among unsatisfied women from married life in Tehran city. Journal of Psychological Studies, 10(3), 47-78. https://doi.org/10.22051/psy.2015.1779

Hasirchaman, A., Shakerinia, I., & Sadeghi, A. (2018). Relation ship between communication skills, responsibility and emotional regulation with mental health at the empeloee of melli bank. Career and organizational counseling, 10(34), 23-43. https://jcoc.sbu.ac.ir/article_99791.html?lang=en

Hosseini Sohi, M. S. (2023). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based parenting education program on quality of parent-child relationships in students with special learning disorder with math specifier. Research in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 2(2), 64-52. https://doi.org/10.22098/rcap.2023.14072.1034

Hosseinian, S., Nooripour, R., Soleimani, E., Abdollahi, A., & Ilanloo, H. (2022). Effectiveness of mindfulness on flexibility and parent-child interactions in mothers of children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Empowering Exceptional Children, 13(1), 79-90. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22034/ceciranj.2022.297703.1571.

I’tesami-Pur, R., Baqeri, F., & Zare’Bahram Abadi, M. (2020). Investigating the Parent-Child Relationship Pattern based on Iranian-Islamic Native Model withCommunication Skills and Students’ Self-esteem Intermediation. Journal of Islamic Education, 15(31), 109-125. https://doi.org/ 10.30471/edu.2018.4445.1855

Jaberi, S., Etemadi, O., & Ahmadi, S. (2016). Investigation of structural relationship between communication skills and marital intimacy. Research in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, 5(2), 143-152. https://cbs.ui.ac.ir/article_20749.html?lang=fa.

Johnson, M. D., Lavner, J. A., Mund, M., Zemp, M., Stanley, S. M., Neyer, F. J., Impett, E. A., Rhoades, G. K., Bodenmann, G., & Weidmann, R. (2022). Within-couple associations between communication and relationship satisfaction over time. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 48(4), 534-549. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672211016920

Jones, K. C., Welton, S. R., Oliver, T. C., & Thoburn, J. W. (2011). Mindfulness, spousal attachment, and marital satisfaction: A mediated model. The Family Journal, 19(4), 357-361. https://doi.org/https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1177/1066480711417234

Jonynienė, J., & Kern, R. (2012). Individual psychology lifestyles and parenting style in Lithuanian parents of 6-to-12-year olds. Tarptautinis psichologijos žurnalas: biopsichosocialinis požiūris, 11, 89-117. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.7220/1941-7233.11.5

Khalfi, A., & Honarmand, M. M. Z. (2023). The Relationship between Marital Intimacy on Life Satisfaction with Mediating Love, Marital Compatibility, and Marital Satisfaction in the Employees Pepole Shahriar Shahroei Kobra Kazemiyanmoghadam. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22055/psy.2022.40425.2823

Lee, H., & Yoon, H. G. (2023). Body change stress, sexual function, and marital intimacy in korean patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: A cross-sectional study. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 10(5), 100228. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100228.

Lucas-Thompson, R. G., & Granger, D. A. (2014). Parent–child relationship quality moderates the link between marital conflict and adolescents’ physiological responses to social evaluative threat. Journal of Family Psychology, 28(4), 538. https://doi.org/https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0037328

mahmoudpour, a., dehghanpour, s., yoosefi, n., & Ejade, S. (2020). Predicting Women's Marital Intimacy Based on Mindfulness, Conflict Resolution Patterns, Perceived Social Support, and Social Well-being. Social Psychology Research, 10(39), 102-183. https://doi.org/10.22034/spr.2020.228592.1463

Manalel, J. A., & Antonucci, T. C. (2020). Beyond the nuclear family: Children’s social networks and depressive symptomology. Child development, 91(4), 1302-1316. https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13307

Mandal, E., & Lip, M. (2022). Mindfulness, relationship quality, and conflict resolution strategies used by partners in close relationships. Current Issues in Personality Psychology, 10(2), 135-146. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5114/cipp.2021.111981

Mohaddesi, H., & Yusofi, M. (2010). STRATEGIES OF STRENGTHENING FAMILY FOUNDATION. Nursing And Midwifery Journal, 8(4), 0-0. http://unmf.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-252-fa.html

Mohammadi, B., & Abbasi, H. (2016). Predicting marital commitment basid on marital intimacy and forgiveness. Rooyesh-e-Ravanshenasi Journal (RRJ), 5(3), 31-50. http://frooyesh.ir/article-1-151-fa.html.

Mohammadi, H., NAVABAKHSH, M., & MAHDAVI, M. S. (2022). Identify the cultural and social components of family consolidation in order to prevent divorce. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30495/jisds.2022.64118.11634

Mollazadehnooran, A., Shoaakazemi, M., & Badreh, M. (2021). The Study of the Relationship between Parents' Marital Communication Quality and Children's Happiness. Journal of Woman and Family Studies, 9(2), 168-192. https://doi.org/10.22051/jwfs.2021.36098.2695

Nematzadeh Gatabi, S., Vaziri, S., & Lotfi Kashani, F. (2020). Investigating the Modeling of Marital Intimacy based on Attachment Styles and Thematic Relationships Mediated by Coping Styles. Islamic lifestyle with a focus on health, 4(3), -. https://www.islamiilife.com/article_188163_294e05848f710b6a2fb6cb6891b05859.pdf

Nho, J. H., Kim, S. R., & Choi, W. K. (2022). Relationships among sexual function, marital intimacy, type D personality and quality of life in patients with ovarian cancer, with spouses. European Journal of Cancer Care, 31(6), e13760. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.13760.

Oh, K. J., Lee, S., & Park, S. H. (2011). The effects of marital conflict on Korean children’s appraisal of conflict and psychological adjustment. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 20, 444-451. https://doi.org/https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1007/s10826-010-9411-6

Olson, E. (2023). Mental Health Collateral and the Living Family’s Illness Narrative. Academic Psychiatry, 47(5), 563-564. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-022-01615-2

Patoo, M., Haghighat, F., & Hassanabadi, H. R. (2014). A Study of the Role of Marital Relationship Quality in Predicting Subjective Well-being and Happiness of University Students. Journal of Woman and Family Studies, 2(1), 7-24. https://doi.org/10.22051/jwfs.2014.1513

Pianta, R. C. (1994). Patterns of relationships between children and kindergarten teachers. Journal of school psychology, 32(1), 15-31. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-4405(94)90026-4.

Pickover, A. M., Dodson, T. S., Tran, H. N., Lipinski, A. J., & Beck, J. G. (2021). Factor structure of the Communication Patterns Questionnaire in violence-exposed women. Journal of interpersonal violence, 36(19-20), 9352-9370. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519867147

Pourmovahed, Z., Mahmoodabadi, H. Z., Ardekani, S. M. Y., Fallahzadeh, H., Tavangar, H., & Mahmoodabad, S. S. M. (2018). Validation of the Family Stability Questionnaire in married couples: A confirmatory factor analysis. Electronic physician, 10(8), 7185. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.19082/7185

Prasanna, S., Abeysena, H., & Alagiyawanna, M. (2023). Development and validation of the interpersonal communication assessment tool for assessing the interpersonal communication skills of public health midwives. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 539. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09511-7

Rajabi, G., Kazemi, F., & Shiralinia, K. (2022). Evaluating the model of the relationship between mindfulness and marital satisfaction with mediation of marital empathy. Journal of Applied Psychological Research, 13(1), 183-198. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22059/japr.2022.320767.643793

Ramezanpour Geliyard, Z., Yaghoobi, A., Pirani, Z., & Taghvaee, D. (2024). The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Intervention upon Communication Skills and Creativity of Elementary School Students. Quarterly Journal of Family and Research, 20(4), 155-171. http://qjfr.ir/article-1-2126-en.html

Tashkeh, M., Lavasani, F. F., Farani, A. R., Tajrishi, K. Z., & Farahani, H. (2024). Examining the validity of an adaptive model of sustaining behaviors in long-distance relationships: Predicting intimacy and marital satisfaction. Acta Psychologica, 250, 104489. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104489.

Van den Broucke, S., Vandereycken, W., & Vertommen, H. (1995). Marital intimacy: Conceptualization and assessment. Clinical Psychology Review, 15(3), 217-233. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-7358(95)00007-C

Whisman, M. A., Gilmour, A. L., & Salinger, J. M. (2018). Marital satisfaction and mortality in the United States adult population. Health psychology, 37(11), 1041.

Yang, J., Lin, X.-Z., Guo, Q.-W., Wang, C.-L., Yang, R.-Y., Zhang, J.-W., & Zeng, Y. (2023). Mediating effect of mindfulness level on the relationship between marital quality and postpartum depression among primiparas. World Journal of Clinical Cases, 11(12), 2729. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v11.i12.2729