Religious Commitment and Couple Satisfaction: Exploring the Pathways

Description

Page: 271-274

Angeline Thomas¹ and Megha Deuskar² (Department of Psychology, S.P. Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra¹ and Department of Psychology, Fergusson College (Autonomous), Pune, Maharashtra²)

The association between religious commitment and couple satisfaction has been a topic of substantial interest in marital psychology. While previous studies have underscored the mediating role of forgiveness in this relationship, fewer have delved into the potential pathways that other psychological constructs might offer. This study sought to extend the existing literature by examining not only the mediating role of forgiveness but also the role of gratitude. A sample of 85 married individuals completed the Religious Commitment Inventory (RCI) (Worthington et al., 2003); Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6) (McCullough et al., 2002); and Couple Satisfaction Index (CSI) (Funk & Rogge, 2007). While forgiveness emerged as a significant mediator, gratitude, despite its correlation with couple satisfaction, did not emerge as a significant pathway. The findings underscore the intricate web of factors that contribute to couple satisfaction and emphasize the nuanced role of religious commitment in influencing relational outcomes. The results obtained have been discussed in the light of pertinent religious doctrines and previous research findings.